My mom disappeared when I was 12. The police searched for her but never found a trace, and I never saw my dad shed a single tear. Then, without warning, he left the country, and I was raised by his mother. Last week, I visited Grandma one last time before she passed away. Through her tears, she said, “Forgive me… It’s time you learned the truth. Your mom didn’t disappear—she made a choice to leave. She told your dad never to contact her again.”
