When I arrived at the hospital to bring home my wife and our newborn twins, a startling surprise awaited me: Suzie was gone, leaving behind only a cryptic note. It read, “Goodbye. Take care of them. Ask your mother WHY she did this to me.” Her sudden departure left me reeling. Everything had seemed fine, but the note hinted at underlying issues.

As soon as I got home, I sought answers from my mother. It was no secret that she had never been fond of Suzie, but I hadn’t realized the extent of her disapproval. Her repeated criticisms had deeply impacted Suzie. Going through some old papers, I stumbled upon a letter from my mother. In it, she described Suzie as “not good enough” and accused her of having “trapped” me with the pregnancy. The painful truth became clear: my mother’s harsh words had driven Suzie away.

Speaking with Suzie’s close friend, Sara, I learned more about Suzie’s feelings. She felt “trapped” not only by the unexpected pregnancy but also by my mother’s relentless cruelty. Suzie feared my mother might succeed in turning me against her. Leaving was her way of escaping the emotional storm she was caught in.

A year passed, and Suzie made her way back. She sincerely apologized for leaving, describing how she had grappled with postpartum depression and a sense of inadequacy during her absence. Therapy had been a lifeline, helping her heal and find strength. “I never wanted to leave,” she explained, “but I felt powerless to stay.” United, we took on the challenge of mending old wounds, rebuilding our family, and rediscovering our love for each other.