You2FB - Captivating Lifestories

03/02/2025

When I was needed, I heard: “Mom, when will you come?”, but now: “Why are you interfering in our life?”

I feel sad. When I was needed, my daughter-in-law was kind and grateful to me. She often called, saying: “Mom, when will you come?” But now, when I’m no longer needed, I hear completely different words: “Why are you interfering in our life?”

My son Christopher got married eight years ago. At the wedding, my husband and I gave him and his wife an apartment. It was my mother’s apartment, which we renovated and furnished. In the beginning, my relationship with my daughter-in-law was good.

We respected each other, wished each other well on holidays, and gave presents. I tried not to interfere in the young couple’s life because both my husband and I were still working at the time.

Besides, I remember my own mother-in-law, who was always meddling in my life. I didn’t want to be like her. I didn’t feel the need to teach my daughter-in-law how to run a household—life would teach her that, and you can find the answer to any question on the Internet these days. If my son is living with her, that means it suits him.

About a year after their wedding, we found out that we would soon become grandparents. It was wonderful news! I promised they could always count on my help. My daughter-in-law was grateful to me.

From the very first days, the young mother needed support. Her own mother, who lived far away, couldn’t come because of her job, so after she was discharged from the hospital, I practically moved in with them, returning home only at night.

My daughter-in-law was afraid to even go near the baby:

— He’s so little, what if I accidentally hurt him? — she cried.

I had to teach her many things, and sometimes I did everything myself. For the first five months, I was the only one who bathed my grandson, while my daughter-in-law stood by and watched. I was available around the clock. She could call in the middle of the night when the baby cried or if she thought something was wrong.

Even though it was hard for me—my age was taking its toll—I patiently explained, demonstrated, and supported her. Gradually, my daughter-in-law learned a lot and started managing on her own. Yet she still called often, asking: “Mom, when will you come?”

When my grandson started going to kindergarten, I agreed to look after him whenever he got sick. The young family wanted to focus on earning money. I sewed costumes for his performances, recorded his shows to show his parents, and took him to the doctor.

I can say I was the one who raised my grandson. I was always there, ready to help. Three years ago, my husband passed away, and my grandson was the only source of joy that prevented me from falling into total despair.

Christopher assured me I was always welcome in his home. That put me at ease. But everything changed when my grandson started school. My daughter-in-law’s mother moved closer to them, and my help was no longer needed.

Later, I myself began to need help. The faucet broke, and my phone started overheating and shutting down. I called my son or my daughter-in-law, hoping for their support.

But Christopher was busy with work—they were saving money for the down payment on a larger, three-room apartment. Whenever I called, he promised to come on the weekend, but he never had time. My daughter-in-law was annoyed:

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03/02/2025

My wife left me and our two little daughters for a wealthy man, and a few years later, I unexpectedly run into her at the store…

Rachel and I had been married for ten years. We had two daughters: Sophia, who was five, and Emily, who was four. I believed I was earning enough. We didn’t live in luxury, but we could afford family vacations twice a year. The girls had nannies, and Rachel did some work from home. I always tried to help with household chores. But for some reason, it seemed that none of it mattered to her anymore.

One day, Rachel calmly told me she was leaving. She walked out not just on me, but on our daughters as well.

— I’ve discovered myself, – she said. – I want more.

A few weeks later, I saw pictures of her online: an engagement to a very wealthy man, yachts, travels, designer dresses.

Did she leave us for that kind of dream?

I kept thinking about it, trying to find an explanation. But the hardest part was watching my little girls ask:

— Daddy, when is Mommy coming back?

I didn’t know what to tell them.

Two years went by…

Life went on. It was tough, but I managed. I worked, and every free moment I had, I spent with my daughters. They became my purpose, my guiding light.

One evening, I dropped by the supermarket for some milk and saw her.

She was standing by the checkout—tired-looking, wearing modest clothes, her gaze devoid of life. There was no trace of the Rachel I remembered posing on yachts.

Our eyes met.

She froze, clutching small change in her hands.

— You… – she began, but then fell silent.

I didn’t say a word.

— How are the girls doing? – she asked, her voice barely audible.

I felt my anger surge. Two years of silence. No calls, no letters.

— They’re doing fine. Because they have me.

She looked away.

— I’d like to see them…

I clenched my fists.

— You remembered them only after two years?

Rachel sighed, wiping away a tear.

— I made a mistake.

I let out a bitter laugh.

— A mistake is forgetting your umbrella in the rain. You chose a different life. You chose money, Rachel. Don’t tell me happiness isn’t just about yachts and fancy clothes?

She closed her eyes.

— He left me. As soon as I was no longer useful to him. Now I have nothing. No money, no home.

I glanced at her slender fingers—no ring.

— And my daughters? Did it really take you two whole years to recall they exist?

She began to sob.

— I know I can’t change anything. But please… Just let me see them.

I took a deep breath.

— They don’t remember you, Rachel. They stopped asking when you’d come back.

She broke down even more.

— I’m not asking for a second chance for myself… but they are my children…

I looked at her. The woman standing before me wasn’t the same Rachel who had left us for money. She seemed utterly crushed.

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03/02/2025

When I took my elderly mother into my home, I thought it would be difficult. How her move changed my life

Life sometimes changes our plans so unexpectedly that we don’t even realize how suddenly we find ourselves in a new reality. That’s exactly what happened to me. I was used to living alone in the city, enjoying my independence. My mother lived in the countryside, and as long as my father was alive, everything seemed natural. But after he passed away, the world changed.

The first time I felt uneasy was when I visited my mother. She had always been strong and independent, but now she seemed lost and scared, like a child left without care. Her sorrowful gaze and her request for me to stay just one more day kept echoing in my mind. I couldn’t leave her alone.

I realized that my mother needed constant care and attention, so I made a decision—I would bring her to the city with me. That day, she packed a small bag. I was surprised to see that among her belongings was an old pillow and a set of bed linens that I had given her many years ago. "Why those, of all things?" I wondered. Maybe they reminded her of a time when everything was still fine.

She was reluctant to leave the home where she had spent her entire life. Even short visits to the city had always been a big event for her. And now she had to leave behind everything she knew and loved. It was hard for me to see her sadness, but I hoped that she would find peace by my side.

The first few days were difficult—my mother slowly adjusted to the new environment. She sat quietly in her room, reading prayers, and barely went outside. But after two weeks, I noticed how she was gradually coming back to life. Her eyes started to shine when I returned from work. She greeted me at the door, happy to see me again.

We prepared dinner together. I noticed how the evening light fell on her silver hair as she carefully chopped vegetables. Sometimes, I gently touched her hand to bring her back into the conversation, and in her gaze, I saw gratitude mixed with warmth.

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02/02/2025

— Do you know that your husband has a mistress?

— Do you know that he has a wife? — I replied playfully.

— What?! — came a shocked voice from the phone. — It is not me!
— Well, it is not me either!
— Then who is it? — the voice asked in confusion.
— A horse in a hat, — I deliberately twisted the phrase and hung up.

I had no husband, but my mood was terrible, so why not have a little fun? The call came again a couple of hours later.

— Yes, I know about the mistress, — I reassured the worried voice while chopping a chicken thigh.
— How do you know?! — the voice was startled again.
— You are so indecisive, mistress, — I scolded her while sprinkling tomato sauce over my meal.
— What are you doing? — the girl on the other end sounded completely confused.
— Eating a thigh.
— Whose?!
— The last mistress’s.

The call ended abruptly. Laughing loudly, I savored both the thigh and the wing, washing them down with blackcurrant tea.

This time, the “mistress” did not keep me waiting long—just until I had finished the last sip of my tea.
— You lied to me, — the voice on the phone accused.
— Welcome back, mistress.
— Why are you not crying? — after a pause, the voice continued the conversation.
— Why should I cry?
— A proper wife should cry! — the voice was shocked.
— But I am not a proper wife. A husband off the sleigh—easier for the woman.
— So, you are letting him go? — the girl froze again.
— Am I holding him?
— Girl, stop twisting my mind! — the voice snapped. — So are you letting him go or not?
— Take him, — I gestured widely. — And also take William, Victoria, Violet, and Vesper.
— Who are they? — the mistress was bewildered.
— Two children, a parrot named Wind, and a cat named Vesper. Guess where the cat is. — I barely held back my laughter.
— But… Why do all their names start with “V”? — she asked cautiously.
— Would you prefer “A”? — I could not resist teasing.
— It is still strange.
— Nothing strange about it. My husband chose them. He said, “In my house, everything will start with ‘V’.”
— But your name is Lily! — the mistress said, shocked.
— Correct, — I chuckled. I, who was actually Rose. — Do you know what he called me? — I piqued her curiosity.
— What? — the voice on the phone asked with anticipation.

In my mind, I rushed through names starting with “V” and theatrically declared:
— Valerie!
— And he called me “little starling,” — the mistress admitted hesitantly.

At this, I could no longer hold back—I burst out laughing. My bad mood vanished completely. I was glad I was not married and did not have to take such nonsense seriously.

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02/02/2025

At the age of 65, we realized that our children no longer needed us. How can we come to terms with this and start living for ourselves?

I am 65 years old, and for the first time in my life, I am wondering: our children, to whom my husband and I devoted everything, no longer need us. The three children, to whom we gave our time, energy, and money, received everything they wanted and simply left us behind. My son doesn’t even answer the phone when I call him. Sometimes I think: will none of them even offer us a glass of water when we grow older?

I got married at the age of 25. David was my classmate, and he courted me for a long time. He even enrolled in the same university to be close to me. A year after our modest wedding, I became pregnant, and our daughter was born. David had to quit his studies to work, while I took an academic leave.

Those were hard times. My husband worked almost non-stop, and I was learning how to be a mother while trying to finish my studies. Two years later, I got pregnant again. I had to switch to part-time studies, and David worked even harder to support us.

Despite the challenges, we managed to raise two children: our elder daughter, Emily, and our younger son, Michael. When Emily started school, I finally managed to find a job in my field. Life started to improve: David now had a stable job with a good salary, and we set up our own home. But just as we began to feel relief, I became pregnant again.

The birth of our third child was a new challenge for us. David worked even harder to provide for the family, while I focused on taking care of our youngest daughter, Anna. I’m not sure how we managed, but we slowly regained stability. When Anna started first grade, I finally felt a sense of relief.

However, the difficulties didn’t end there. Emily, just as she was starting her university studies, announced that she was getting married. We didn’t discourage her since we ourselves got married young. Organizing the wedding and helping her buy a home drained a significant amount of money.

Michael, our son, also wanted his own home. We couldn’t say no to him, so we took another loan and bought him an apartment. Fortunately, he quickly found a good job at a prestigious company.

When Anna was in her final year of high school, she told us she dreamed of studying abroad. It was a difficult time for us, but we managed to gather the money to send her to her dream university. Anna left, and we were left alone.

Over time, the children visited us less and less. Emily, though she lived in the same city, rarely came by. Michael sold his apartment, bought a new one in the capital, and visited us even less. Anna, after completing her studies, stayed abroad.

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02/02/2025

The man believed that in another country he could earn a lot of money and build a beautiful house – one just like his neighbor's. But soon, he realized that this was not the most important thing in life.

The eldest daughter, 8-year-old Emma, ran into the yard after returning from school. She greeted her aunt Margaret with a warm smile and then rushed off to change clothes so she could help her mother around the house. The younger daughter was still at daycare – her grandmother was supposed to pick her up, as she always helped out. It was tough for Anna to manage everything on her own: two children, household chores, and taking care of the garden consumed a lot of her time and energy. All of this was because her husband, Michael, had left to work in England.

Michael always said that it was impossible to find a good job in their hometown and often complained about the constant lack of money. He decided that working abroad would help the family escape poverty and fulfill their dream of building a new house. Their neighbor had already built a large, beautiful house thanks to working abroad, and Michael wanted the same stability and comfort for his children.

After making arrangements with a friend who had been living in London for a long time, Michael set off for England in search of a better life. However, upon arrival, he discovered that the job his friend had promised him was already taken. For the first few weeks, he unsuccessfully searched for any kind of work. Eventually, on the advice of acquaintances, he found a job in a factory as a packer. The pay was modest and did not meet his expectations.

Two months passed. Michael called Anna and told her that he planned to return home. During this time, he had only managed to earn 800 pounds. He complained of back pain, exhaustion, and harsh working conditions. Michael realized that such work was not worth being separated from his family and sacrificing his health. Working abroad and being away from his children was unbearable for him.

Anna was overjoyed to hear the news of his return. She was not bothered by the unfulfilled dream of a new house or the small amount of money he had earned. The most important thing was that her husband was coming home because life without him had been incredibly difficult for her. The children had also missed their father dearly.

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02/02/2025

Thank you for your kindness and compassion. This soon-to-be mom desperately needed a loving forever home! 🙏

The heavily pregnant dog was wandering the streets, searching for food, when she noticed a couple enjoying their lunch by the roadside. The stray pit bull only hoped for some scraps, but instead, she got a forever family.

Jack Anderson and his wife, Emily, first noticed the black pit bull mix when they stopped at a street food stand to grab a bite to eat.
“She never took her eyes off us,” Anderson explained, “but she didn’t come close or beg for food. The owners of the stand came out and shooed her away down the sidewalk. It was obvious she was scared, and then she disappeared.”

As the couple headed home, they realized the dog was pregnant. Feeling compelled to help, they pulled over and offered her some food. Emily felt so much sympathy for the vulnerable dog that she even tried to pet her and offer food directly from her hand, hoping to build trust.
However, both Jack and Emily knew they couldn’t simply leave her there. Determined to help, they decided to take the dog into their car. The moment she realized she was safe and being cared for by strangers, the dog became so emotional that she even cried tears of joy.

The kindhearted couple brought the dog to a veterinarian for a checkup. Although she had a few fleas, her overall condition was surprisingly good. Jack and Emily decided to foster the dog, whom they named Poppy, for a few days while searching for someone to adopt her. However, it didn’t take long for them to fall completely in love with Poppy, and they decided to make her a permanent part of their family.

Thank you for your kindness and compassion. This soon-to-be mom desperately needed a loving forever home! 🙏 The heavily pregnant dog was wandering the streets, searching for food, when she noticed a couple enjoying their lunch by the roadside. The stray pit bull only hoped for some scraps, but in

01/02/2025

Helen did not have much luck with her mother-in-law. Mary Stevenson never liked her daughter-in-law, but no one expected her to act this way toward her grandson. The woman screamed at Helen to leave their house with her child. She claimed that her son was a good man who couldn’t see through lies, but she understood everything and knew that the baby wasn’t Alexander’s.

Helen didn’t know what to do. Her mother-in-law had made similar accusations before. Even when she was pregnant, the old woman tried to convince her that her husband was unfaithful. However, Helen believed that once Mary saw her grandson, she would stop talking nonsense.

Alexander, Helen’s husband, loved his mother very much and trusted her completely. Mary never missed a chance to control every decision her son made. She never accepted that he had chosen to share his life with someone else. The woman constantly created conflicts between the spouses.

Helen often complained to her husband about his mother. She couldn’t understand why he allowed her to interfere in their lives. Alexander felt guilty towards his mother and asked Helen to be patient. He assured her that everything would settle down soon.

Mary’s final outburst made Helen lose her patience. How could she convince her own son that his newborn child wasn’t his? Helen decided to return to her hometown. She hoped that Alexander would stop her or go with her. Instead, he said nothing, fearing to upset his mother.

Mary Stevenson finally got what she wanted. The hated daughter-in-law was gone from their lives. Now, Alexander devoted all his free time to his mother. They had dinner together and spent evenings engaged in their favorite activities. These were the best three years of Mary’s life.

But tragedy strikes when least expected. One evening, as Alexander was returning from work, he was attacked. A group of violent youths robbed and severely beat him. He died from his injuries within minutes.

After her son’s death, Mary Stevenson lost the meaning of life. Even years after the tragedy, she never changed anything in his room. She continued to cook meals for two and often spoke to her son’s photographs.

Helen’s life, on the other hand, was wonderful. She had a loving husband, a cherished son, and an exciting job. She had recently been promised a promotion. Rushing to pick up Michael from daycare, she was eager to get home and prepare dinner.

What she saw took her by surprise. Standing at the entrance of the daycare was her former mother-in-law. Mary Stevenson was watching the children playing in the sand. She had aged significantly. Dressed in shabby clothes, hunched over, and with a sorrowful gaze, she looked nothing like the woman who had once driven Helen out of her home.

Mary was watching Michael. The old woman was crying, whispering how much he resembled her late son.

At first, Helen couldn’t forgive the past offenses. She reminded her mother-in-law that years ago, she hadn’t even wanted to look at her grandson, yet now she had come here.

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01/02/2025

A Lonely Evening Without Her…

Every evening, he sits by the window to welcome the sunset. It has become a habit, a ritual, without which he cannot imagine his days. Once, they sat here together – he and she, his love, his light.

They met in their youth, at a time when they still didn’t understand that life was full of surprises, challenges, and joys. Their love was so sincere and deep that it seemed neither time nor distance could ever separate them.

But time passed, and the years brought their trials. They experienced so much together: joys and sorrows, the birth of their children, the building of their home, sleepless nights filled with worries about the future. They became more than just husband and wife to each other – they became companions for life, friends who shared every little joy and every difficult day.

A few months ago, he lost her. His life seemed to fade the moment she left. He didn’t cry; he just froze like a stone, refusing to show weakness because he knew – she wouldn’t want to see him broken.

Since that moment, his heart feels empty, and every evening, he spends his time here, in their favorite spot by the window, remembering her.

They always loved watching sunsets. She used to say that the last rays of the sun held something special – like a farewell song to the departing day. And now he sits here, in silence, watching the sun slowly disappear beyond the horizon.

It feels as if, with every sunset, he says goodbye to her once again, letting her drift a little further away.

Sometimes, he hears her voice – a soft whisper, as though she’s right there beside him, as if she’s just stepped out into the garden and will return any moment. He smiles, remembering her laughter, her kind eyes, her caring hands that had warmed him throughout their life together.

In his thoughts, he talks to her, telling her about his day, though every day feels the same as the one before – empty without her.

His children visit him occasionally, bringing food and asking how he’s doing, but he knows they are busy with their own lives and families. He doesn’t blame them because, once, he too was young and left his parents to build his own life.

But now, he feels loneliness more deeply than ever.

Every morning, he hopes to see her in his dreams, even if just for a moment, and every evening, he bids farewell with hope for the next day. He is not afraid of death, for he knows that sooner or later, they will meet again, somewhere beyond the horizon.

This thought sustains him, gives him strength, and allows him to wait – not with pain, but with a calm, warm sadness.

This evening, like all the previous ones, is filled with silence and memories. The light of the sunset paints the sky in gentle, warm hues, and suddenly, he feels her presence.

Continuation in the comments 👇👇👇

01/02/2025

A little girl was crying and screaming: "Mommy, please, don't leave me, take me with you!" Yet, Hope didn't even look back and silently walked away.

We've all heard many stories about families adopting children from foster homes. Each story ends differently - some happily, where parents and child accept each other and live happily together, others not so much, where the parents may be overwhelmed by the huge responsibility.

For some time, my husband worked at a boarding school where parents brought their troubled children. There were cases when children were rehabilitated and returned to their families, but usually, they were all referred to foster homes.

The story I'm going to tell today, unfortunately, did not have a happy ending.

Hope, a very kind woman in her mid-forties, had been working at that boarding school for many years. She and her husband had an adult son, but she always dreamed of having a daughter. One day, a six-year-old girl was brought to the boarding school. She and Hope quickly developed a very warm relationship.

Little Sophia never left Hope's side, tearfully said goodbye to her every evening, and joyfully greeted her every morning. All the employees said: "Hope, she is definitely your child!" Eventually, Hope decided to adopt Sophia, and her family was very supportive.

However, two weeks later, Hope returned Sophia because her husband had issued an ultimatum - it was either him and their son, or Sophia. Everyone at the boarding school was shocked: Hope, who adored children with all her heart, returned the girl back to the orphanage without any explanation!

All the employees, including my husband, were in tears. Sophia was crying and screaming: "Mommy, please, don't leave me! Take me with you!" Yet, Hope didn't even look back, and silently walked away. That same day, she submitted her resignation.

Many years passed before I heard this story. My husband came home from work one day and told me that he had run into Hope at the supermarket.

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01/02/2025

What a brilliant idea to bring all your dogs 🐶🐕 along with you. And building a train to carry them is simply incredible. You could even use this train for shopping or if you have kids who want to go on bike rides. 😘♥️👣
What an extraordinary person to care so deeply for homeless dogs, building a train just for them, and taking care of these beautiful creatures! 💗

More than two decades after retiring, Henry Johnson decided to adopt a magnificent stray puppy as he felt a bit lonely at that time.
In a clearing in Fort Worth, Texas, stray dogs are often abandoned. Henry couldn’t stand seeing these animals wandering aimlessly, hungry, cold, and unloved. Moved by compassion, he adopted one dog, then another, and soon many more.

Some dogs are truly lucky to find such a person. What an incredible man! Bravo! 🐾🐕♥️

Henry named each of his pups, bathed them with love, and gently patted their heads as a friendly way to bond with them. However, as the number of dogs grew, he found it increasingly difficult to walk them all at once. That’s when the idea of a train was born.

Several times a week, Henry takes his beloved dogs on walks around the neighborhood or into the woods in their own little train carriages fitted with harnesses.
Each dog gets its own tiny crate with a harness, and Henry happily leads the train through the community or nearby wooded trails multiple times a week.

The dogs love spending time on Henry’s 12-acre farm, which is home to ducks, geese, tortoises, rabbits, goats, and birds. It’s the highlight of their day!

We hope more dogs will get the chance to enjoy such train rides after seeing the joy and excitement on these pups’ faces during their journeys.
Many people are fascinated by Henry’s creative and adorable idea. Would you consider building a train for your dog?

This is absolutely amazing! 🐾

What a brilliant idea to bring all your dogs 🐶🐕 along with you. And building a train to carry them is simply incredible. You could even use this train for shopping or if you have kids who want to go on bike rides. 😘♥️👣 What an extraordinary person to care so deeply for homeless dogs,...

31/01/2025

"Here is my dad on the day he married my mother.
I asked him, ""Why did you wear this outfit to your wedding?"" and he answered, ""Your mother invited me to the wedding, but she forgot to tell me who was getting married."""

31/01/2025

The three triplet sisters joyfully celebrated their 90th birthday together! ❤️🎉

31/01/2025

My wife disappeared 15 years ago when she went out to buy diapers. Last week, I met her in a supermarket, and the first thing she said was: "You have to forgive me."

I will never forget that day.

It was already late when Emily put on her jacket, kissed me on the cheek, and said:

— I'll be quick, just going to grab some diapers.

Our daughter, Lily, was very little back then, and we lived a simple, peaceful life. Emily was a caring mother, a loving wife. Nothing foreshadowed the tragedy that was about to unfold.

She left… and never came back.

I waited for an hour, then two, then all night. I called hospitals, the police, all our friends. Her car was found three days later—left in the supermarket parking lot. No signs of violence, no notes, nothing. She had simply vanished.

The police never found any leads. Some thought she had left voluntarily; others believed she was the victim of a crime. And I… I didn’t know what to believe.

Fifteen years passed.

I learned to live without her. Lily grew up, became a beautiful woman, but she never stopped asking about her mother.

— Do you think she’s alive? — she would ask sometimes.

I never knew what to say.

And then, last week, I saw her.

Just there, between the supermarket shelves.

I froze.

She had barely changed—her hair was the same, with just a few silver strands, her eyes still familiar… but there was something different about her.

When she saw me, her hand trembled—she almost dropped the carton of juice.

And the first thing she said:

— You have to forgive me.

A thousand questions screamed in my mind.

— Forgive you?! You disappeared, left me with a little child, without a word! Where have you been?

Emily closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

— Please, just listen to me.

I said nothing.

She pulled out her phone, quickly found something, and showed me a photo.

On the screen—her, lying in a hospital bed. Pale, with thin tubes attached to her arms.

I felt my entire world shift.

— What…?

— I didn’t leave. I was kidnapped.

She began to tell her story.

That night, when she went out to buy diapers, a man approached her. He smiled, asked for directions. And then… everything went black.

She woke up in an unfamiliar place—a small room with no windows, a single light bulb hanging from the ceiling.

She didn’t know why she was there. She didn’t know what they wanted from her. She tried to escape, but it was impossible. The only thing that kept her from losing her mind was thinking about Lily.

— I thought about you both every single day. About you teaching her to walk, about her growing up…

I closed my eyes. I didn’t know what was worse—losing her or realizing that all these years, she had been there… in captivity.

— How did you get out? — I finally asked.

Emily pressed her lips together.

— One day, there were fewer of them. Someone helped me escape. They took me to a hospital. It took me a long time to recover. I thought I wouldn’t make it back… that you two were gone.

— Why didn’t you try to find us?

She sighed.

— I was afraid. Afraid that you would hate me. Afraid that Lily wouldn’t want to see me.

We stood there between the pasta shelves, and between us hung 15 years of pain.

— Where are you living now? — I asked quietly.

— A women’s shelter, — she looked away. — I have no one… except you.

I took a deep breath.

— Lily needs to know.

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