When our kids fell ill and couldn’t go on our planned family vacation, my husband just ditched us and went alone. What he didn’t know was that his little “me time” getaway would cost him way more than he bargained for.
I trdged through the front door at 8:30 p.m., my feet throbbing after a grueling twelve-hour shift at the hospital. The cacophony hit me like a wall: cartoons blaring from the TV, Zach and Penny shrieking as they chased each other around the living room.
And there was Garrett, sprawled on the couch like a beached whale, beer in hand.
“Hey, babe,” he called out, not bothering to look up from his phone. “Rough day?”
I bit back a sarcastic reply. “You could say that. The ER was a madhouse.” I glanced at the disaster zone of toys and snack wrappers surrounding him. “Did you feed the kids dinner?”
Garrett shrugged. “They had some chips earlier. I figured you’d want to cook when you got home.”
I closed my eyes, counting to ten. This had become our new normal over the past few years. I’d come home from saving lives to find a house in chaos and a husband who couldn’t be bothered to lift a finger.
“Mommy!” Penny latched onto my leg, her blonde pigtails askew. “I’m starving!”
I forced a smile. “Okay, sweetie. Let’s get you both some real food.”
As I reheated leftovers, my mind drifted to our upcoming beach vacation. Maybe a change of scenery would help us reconnect, remind Garrett why we fell in love in the first place.
“So, you packed for the trip yet?” I asked, setting plates in front of the kids.
Garrett grunted. “Nah, I’ll throw some stuff in a bag tomorrow. No big deal.”
I sighed. “We leave in two days, Garrett. A little planning wouldn’t kill you.”
He rolled his eyes. “Relax, it’ll be fine. You worry too much.”
The night before our flight, I woke to the sound of retching. Zach was hunched over the toilet, his face pale and clammy. Within an hour, Penny was sick too.
I gently broke the news to Garrett over breakfast. “We’ll have to postpone the trip. The kids have a nasty stomach bug.”
He froze, fork halfway to his mouth. “What? No way. I’ve been looking forward to this for months!”
“I know, but they’re too sick to travel. We can reschedule”
Garrett’s jaw clenched. “I’m still going.”
I stared at him, sure I’d misheard. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me. I need this break, Nora. Work’s been insane lately.”
“And my job isn’t?” I snapped. “I’m a nurse, Garrett. I deal with real emergencies every day.”
He scoffed. “It’s not a competition. Look, you stay with the kids. I’ll go enjoy the beach for both of us.”
I watched in disbelief as he packed his suitcase, ignoring Zach and Penny’s disappointed faces. As the front door slammed behind him, something inside me snapped.
The next week was hell. I juggled caring for two miserable children, all while stewing in rage every time Garrett sent a smug beach selfie.
On Friday, my phone buzzed with another photo: Garrett grinning over a fancy cocktail, caption reading “Living the dream!”
That was it. I had had enough, and I had a plan.
I marched into the garage, surveying Garrett’s precious “man cave.” His fishing gear, the boat he’d barely used, piles of expensive junk he’d accumulated over the years. A plan formed in my mind.
I spent the next few hours photographing everything, creating listings on the local buy-and-sell site. Within days, Garrett’s prized possessions were gone, replaced by a fat wad of cash in my purse.
“Guess what, kids?” I announced over breakfast. “We’re going on our own special vacation!”
Their eyes lit up. Zach pumped his fist. “Awesome! Where are we going?”
I grinned. “It’s a surprise. But I promise it’ll be even better than Dad’s boring old beach.”
We arrived at the resort a few days later, the kids bouncing with excitement. As I watched them splash in the pool, I felt lighter than I had in years.
“Mom, watch this!” Zach called, attempting a cannonball. I cheered, then turned to help Penny blow up her water wings.
“You’re a natural with them,” a voice behind me said. I turned to see a woman about my age smiling. “Single mom?”
I hesitated. “It’s… complicated.”
She nodded knowingly. “I’ve been there. I’m Tessa, by the way.”
We chatted as the kids played, swapping stories about work and parenthood. It felt good to connect with someone who understood.
“So, what’s your story?” Tessa asked, sipping her lemonade.
I sighed. “My husband decided to go on our family vacation without us when the kids got sick. Left me to deal with everything while he partied on the beach.”
Tessa’s eyes widened. “Seriously? What a jerk!”
I nodded. “Yeah, it was the last straw. I’ve been putting up with his selfishness for years, but this — I just couldn’t take it anymore.”
“So what did you do?” she asked.
A mischievous smile crept across my face. “I sold all his precious toys and used the money to bring the kids here.”
Tessa burst out laughing. “Oh my God, that’s brilliant! How’d he take it?”
“He doesn’t know yet,” I admitted. “But I’m sure I’ll find out soon enough.”
As if on cue, my phone started buzzing. Garrett’s name flashed on the screen.
“Speaking of the devil,” I muttered. “I should probably take this.”
Tessa gave me an encouraging nod. “Go get ’em, tiger.”
I stepped away from the pool, taking a deep breath before answering. “Hello?”
“Where the hell is all my stuff?” Garrett shouted, not bothering with a greeting.
I leaned against a palm tree, surprisingly calm. “Oh, you noticed? I thought you’d be too busy ‘living the dream’ to care.”
“Don’t play games, Nora. What did you do?”
“I sold it,” I said simply. “All of it. Your precious fishing rods, that boat you never use, everything.”
There was a moment of stunned silence. Then, “You what? How could you!”
“How could I?” I interrupted, my voice rising. “How could you abandon your sick children for a beach vacation? How could you ignore everything I do for this family?”
“That’s different! I work hard to provide for you.”
“And I don’t?” I shot back. “I’m done, Garrett. Done with your selfishness, done with being taken for granted.”
He sputtered, “What are you saying?”
I took a deep breath. “I’m saying I want a divorce.”
The line went quiet. When Garrett spoke again, his voice was low and dangerous. “You’ll regret this, Nora. I’ll make sure of it.”
I hung up, my hands shaking. Part of me wanted to cry, to mourn the life we’d built together. But a larger part felt… free.
I walked back to the pool, where Tessa was indulging in a cocktail.
“Everything okay?” she asked, concern etched on her face.
I nodded, managing a small smile. “Yeah, I think it will be. I just told my husband I want a divorce.”
Tessa’s eyes widened. “Wow, that’s huge. How do you feel?”
“Scared,” I admitted. “But also relieved? Like I can finally breathe again.”
She squeezed my hand. “That’s totally normal. Trust me, it gets better.”
We spent the rest of the afternoon playing with the kids, building elaborate sandcastles and splashing in the waves. For the first time in years, I felt genuinely happy.
That night, as I tucked the kids into bed, Zach looked up at me with serious eyes. “Mom, are you and Dad getting divorced?”
My breath caught in my throat. “Why do you ask that, sweetie?”
He shrugged. “I heard you on the phone. And you seem happier here without him.”
I sat on the edge of his bed, choosing my words carefully. “Your dad and I have been having problems for a while now. We’re going to try to work things out, but… yes, we might get divorced.”
Zach nodded solemnly. “Okay. As long as you’re happy, Mom. That’s what matters.”
Tears pricked my eyes as I hugged him tight. “When did you get so wise, huh?”
After the kids were asleep, I stood on the balcony, watching the moonlight dance on the waves. My phone buzzed with a text from Garrett:
“This isn’t over. I’ll see you in court.”
I took a deep breath, letting the ocean air fill my lungs. The road ahead would be tough, but I felt ready to face whatever came my way.
As I crawled into bed, I thought about the uncertain future ahead of us. It was terrifying, yes, but also exhilarating. For the first time in years, I felt like I was taking control of my life.
Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but for now, I let the sound of the ocean lull me to sleep, dreaming of the fresh start waiting on the horizon.
What would you have done?
I set out in my RV to scatter my mother’s ashes, but along the way, I met a man who uncovered a startling family secret
After my mother passed away, I thought I knew everything about her life. But a sudden discovery during my journey led to a truth I never expected. What I found changed everything I thought I knew about my past… and my future.
After my mother’s death, I was completely alone. I stood in the empty apartment, the silence around me pressing in. My father left us before I was born. The walls, once filled with her presence, were bare, stripped of life.
“What do I do now, Mom?” I whispered aloud.
I always have the answers. But now… Now it’s just me.
I sold the apartment. It was a painful reminder of Mom’s last days, and I couldn’t bear to stay there any longer.
I had a vague plan to head to the small town where she once lived. To my surprise, she had a property there and left it to me.
“I’m going there, to where you loved,” I murmured.
I walked through the empty rooms in the apartment one last time and shut the door, locking it for the last time.
“Goodbye, Mom,” I whispered, feeling a tear slide down my cheek.
Outside, I handed the keys to the real estate agent. I had nowhere to go. Two suitcases were waiting for me at a hotel. Nothing more.
I glanced at the pile of mail in my hands. Today’s newspaper caught my eye. I flipped through it until a small ad jumped out at me:
“FOR SALE: 1985 RV. Runs, needs TLC. Priced to sell.”
It was a way to leave everything behind. Without overthinking, I drove straight to the address listed in the ad.
The RV sat in a driveway, looking worn and beaten, even more so than I expected. Rust streaked its sides. The paint faded to a dull gray. But it didn’t matter. It represented freedom to leave that place and pain behind.
A gruff man stood beside it, clearly eager to get rid of it.
“You here for the RV?” he asked, glancing at me as I approached.
“Yeah,” I said, scanning the vehicle. “I saw the ad.”
“It’s old, but it runs. Took it out last week. You interested?”
I ran my hand over the chipped paint. It wasn’t perfect, but neither was I.
“How much?”
“Cash only,” he said, naming the price.
I didn’t hesitate. “I’ll take it.”
“You sure? You don’t want to look under the hood?”
“No,” I shook my head. “I just need to go.”
Minutes later, the deal was done. I climbed into the RV, the smell of old leather and dust filling my senses as the engine growled to life.
“Okay, Mom,” I whispered, gripping the wheel, “I’m doing this. I don’t know what’s waiting for me, but I have to go.”
I decided to head straight to the hotel where my suitcases were waiting. I wasn’t going to stay the night there as I had originally planned. No more waiting.
Grabbing my things, I loaded them into the RV, eager to leave everything behind. The open road was calling, and I was ready to answer.I drove for hours. The hum of the radio kept me company as the sun dipped below the horizon. The darkness slowly crept in.
I was tired, my eyes growing heavy. The road stretched on, seemingly endless, and I just wanted to reach a place where I could close my eyes for a few hours.
And then, without warning, the RV sputtered. The engine gave a loud, ominous cough, and before I could react, it died completely. I let out a frustrated sigh, gripping the steering wheel.
“Of course, this has to happen now,” I whispered to myself, staring out into the pitch-black forest surrounding me.
I tried the ignition again, hoping for a miracle, but I got a weak click. Nothing.
Great! Just great! No cell service.
I stepped out of the RV and looked around.
What now?
As panic started to creep in, headlights cut through the darkness. An old pickup truck slowly came into view. It pulled up beside me. An elderly man with a kind face was behind the wheel.
The man rolled down his window. A young woman was next to him.
“You alright there?” he called out, leaning slightly to get a better look at me.
“My RV just died,” I replied. “I’m stuck.”
The man nodded sympathetically.
“Well, that’s no good. I’m Oliver,” he said, giving me a small smile. “This is my daughter, Grace.”
“I’m Emma,” I introduced myself. “Thanks for stopping. I didn’t know what I was going to do.”
Oliver glanced over at the RV and then back at me.
“Tell you what, we can tow you to the nearest station. It’s not too far, just about twenty miles up the road.”
I exhaled. “That would be amazing. Thank you so much.”
“No problem at all,” Oliver chuckled.
Within minutes, he had hooked my RV up to their truck, and we were on the move. I climbed into the backseat of the pickup, grateful to be moving again.
As soon as we hit the road, their conversation flowed easily. They teased each other, each word filled with warmth.
“You remember that time we got lost out here, right?” Oliver grinned, glancing at her.
Grace rolled her eyes. “How could I forget? You were convinced we didn’t need a map. We were lost for hours.”
Oliver chuckled. “We weren’t lost. I just took the scenic route.”
Watching them, I felt a twinge of envy. I had never had that kind of relationship with my mother. She loved me, but she was always preoccupied, her mind elsewhere.
And my father… I didn’t even know him. Their kind of connection was something foreign to me.
When we reached the station, the mechanic gave my RV a quick look and shook his head.
“It’ll take a few days to fix this.”
“A few days?” I echoed with disappointment.
My plans were suddenly on hold. Oliver saw the frustration on my face.
“You’re welcome to ride with us for a while if you like,” he offered kindly.
“We’re heading in the same direction. We’ll keep you company until the RV’s ready.”
It wasn’t just the convenience of a ride. It was the warmth they shared, something I hadn’t realized I needed until now. Of course, I agreed.
***
Later that night, we pulled into a small roadside motel. Just as Oliver was handing over the money to the clerk, something slipped from his wallet.
A photograph fluttered to the ground, catching my eye. I picked it up and froze.
“Who is this?” I asked, holding up the picture.
Oliver turned, his expression shifting from casual to uneasy. Before he could answer, Grace cut in.
“Oh, that’s the woman he can’t let go of,” she snapped. “Even after Mom died, he still carries her picture around like some kind of token.”
I glanced at Oliver, expecting him to say something, but he just sighed, running a hand through his hair.
“She was someone I loved a long time ago. We were living together in the town we’re heading to. But one day, she just… disappeared. I didn’t know what happened to her. I only recently found out she had passed away. I’m going back to honor her memory.”
My heart pounded as his words sank in. The woman in that photo was my Mom.
“That’s my mother,” I whispered.
Oliver’s eyes widened. Grace did the quick math in her head.
“Wait,” she said slowly, “does that mean… you might be his daughter?”
The words hung in the air. Oliver shook his head quickly.
“No, no, that’s not possible. If that’s true, it means your mother left me while she was pregnant. And I never knew.”
“She left you because you told her you were leaving for another woman,” I said, my voice shaking. “She kept a letter. You said goodbye.”
“What letter?”
I pulled out the worn piece of paper my mother had kept all those years and handed it to him. Grace leaned over Oliver’s shoulder, her face going pale as she read.
“That’s… that’s my mother’s handwriting,” Grace whispered. “We lived in that town too… Dad? Could it all happen at the same time?”
“Yes. I was friends with your mother back then, Grace. We were close, but nothing more.”
Grace’s eyes narrowed, realization dawning. “She must have done it to be with you. She knew what she was doing.” Oliver signed.
“Emma, your mother disappeared, I was lonely. And, and… Grace’s mother was always around. She helped me through it. Over time… we started dating.”
Suddenly, everything began to fall into place. Grace’s mother had torn them apart. I turned to her with anger.
“You had a father this whole time! I had no one! Your mother ruined their relationship, and you got everything while I was left with nothing!”
Grace’s face hardened.
“I didn’t know! Do you think this was my fault?”
The argument grew heated, both of us yelling. Years of resentment and grief spilled out.
“I can’t do this,” I finally said, backing away.
I couldn’t stay with them any longer, not after that. I took my suitcases and started walking down the road. I needed to reach the town to end that once and for all.
After a sleepless night of traveling in a stranger’s car, I met with the lawyer.
“The house your mother left you is only half yours,” he explained. “The other half belongs to Oliver.”
After everything I learned, that felt like one final twist of fate. I was ready to walk away from my share. But the lawyer stopped me.
“Why don’t you take a look at the house first?” he suggested.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I agreed. The house was small but cozy.
Memories seemed to fill the space. Mom’s sewing tools were neatly arranged, her old machine still in place. Piles of fabric were stacked in the corner, waiting to be transformed.
I found framed photographs of her and Oliver, both of them young and happy. They smiled back at me.
My mother, fiery and proud, had run away because of one forged letter. She had hidden the truth all those years. But Oliver… he hadn’t come after her. He moved on, married another woman, and gave another daughter the life I never had.
That thought weighed on me heavily as I heard a car pull up outside. Oliver and Grace entered the house quietly. We sat there all together in thick silence.
“We should scatter her ashes,” I finally whispered.
Together, we did. As I watched the ashes drift into the wind, something shifted inside me. The anger I had carried began to fade.
Grace softly embraced me. “I’m sorry. I think it’s time for me to head back to my family. It’s your turn to get to know our father.”
“Thanks, Grace,” I finally whispered.
She gave me a small smile. “I hope we can move past this.”
As she left, I looked at the fabrics and the sewing machine. It was time to follow my dreams to bring my designs to life. And with my father by my side, we had all the time we needed to become the family we never had.
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