Without any warning or note, my best friend disappeared over night. I had questions after she left her husband and little son behind. What would make a loving mother abandon her family? Everything changed when I discovered the truth, even though I believed I knew her.
Perfect families didn’t exist, they said. That was obviously a falsehood. I was parenting my daughter Mia alone as a single mother. I was still pregnant when Mia’s father abandoned me.
Being a decent father or husband didn’t interest him. In retrospect, I wish I had noticed the warning signs sooner.
But I wouldn’t have my lovely Mia if it weren’t for him. And she was the object of my greatest adoration.
It wasn’t easy being a single mother. Working was a challenge every day. attempting to be Mia’s father and mother while cooking, cleaning, and assisting with her education.
I did my best, though. No matter what, I wanted her to feel loved and safe. However, I occasionally caught myself observing other couples and families. A few of those families did appear to be ideal.
My best friend Samantha’s family was one of them. We had remained close after meeting at university.
She had always been fortunate to have a wonderful life and a good man. Roy, her husband, taught at the institution.
Astute, courteous, and helpful. Never before had he forced Samantha to bear the burden of parenting their son, Augustus, by herself.
He had supported her and their family. I used to wonder, “Why couldn’t that have been me?” when I gazed at them.
Even though I detested myself for having such feelings, jealousy did occasionally creep in. Samantha had a home business creating candles, a family, and a comfortable home.
She was able to continue earning money while staying with her child. Her life appeared to be peaceful in every way. I put in a lot of overtime in the meantime just to keep the lights on.
We enjoyed a delightful Saturday morning custom. Samantha and I spoke over coffee and hot food while the kids played.
I always brought dessert, and she always made something unique. It was something I eagerly anticipated.
Mia and I drove up to their house on Sunday. Excited, Mia leaped from the car and hurried to the main door.
I took the cheesecake and trailed behind. But all of my happiness was gone as soon as Roy opened the door. He appeared ghostly, hollow and pale.
I inquired, “Is everything okay?”
Silently, “Come in,” he said.
He moved aside so that Mia and I could enter. Mia raced to find Augustus after removing her outerwear.
The hall reverberated with their laughing. I just stood there staring at Roy. Something didn’t feel right.
“What’s happening? Samantha, where are you? I inquired. She always smiled broadly as she greeted us at the door.
Roy took a while to respond. He glanced at the ground. Then he said something.
“Samantha has left. Last night, she departed. took a few bags. packed clothing as well as other items. She remained silent. She simply walked out.
I was chilly all over. My hands were trembling a bit.
“What? “Are you serious?” “I said.” “She simply… departed?
Roy said, “Let’s go to the kitchen,” “I don’t want any of this to reach the children.
We entered. The smell of old toast and coffee filled the room. I made some tea and filled the kettle. Roy just stared at nothing while seated at the table.
I remarked, “I don’t get it,” “You two appeared to be doing well. She never seemed upset to me.
Roy remarked, “I don’t know what happened,” “There was no note left by her. She didn’t bid farewell. Nothing.
“Did you call her?”
“Yes. She doesn’t respond.
“Let me try.” After taking out my phone, I dialed Samantha. After a single ring, it became quiet. She didn’t have her phone on.
I said to him, “Still nothing,”
“Maybe I did something wrong,” Roy remarked. “I’m not sure. Why would she leave Augustus, though, even if she did leave me? He’s only a boy.
“That doesn’t sound like her,” I said. “Maybe you should go to the police.”
“They won’t assist. She went out by herself. She did not disappear. No case exists.
“What are you going to do?”
“I’m not sure. I gave her mother a call. She claims not to have seen her either. I’ll just have to wait. Perhaps she will return.
“I’m really sorry, Roy.”
“Thank you. Don’t be concerned about us. You have to look after Mia. We’ll be alright.
That morning, I spent a bit more time with Roy. He appeared to be at a loss for what to do next.
I prepared toast, scrambled eggs, and some fruit for everyone’s breakfast. I tried to keep things light and grin, but I felt heavy on the inside. It didn’t feel right.
I assisted in cleaning the kitchen after we had finished our meal. After that, Mia and I hopped in our vehicle and headed home.
I was thinking about Samantha the entire time. It was unbelievable to me that she had abandoned her son. It was illogical.
Whatever the circumstances, I would never abandon Mia. No issue, no suffering, no man would ever take precedence over my child.
I made another attempt to call Samantha that afternoon. I then sent her an SMS. However, the message was unsuccessful each time.
Not only was her phone off, but it was also out of her grasp. I received a chilly mechanical message in place of her voice. I felt terrible after that.
Days went by. Weeks later. She hasn’t spoken yet. I began to have supper with Roy and Augustus virtually every day.
I was familiar with the experience of raising a child by yourself. They were already suffering, and I couldn’t make it worse.
During those evenings, Roy and I spoke a lot. I paid attention. I gave consolation. I made an effort to aid in his recovery.
However, he suddenly began acting strangely. He started sending me detailed meal instructions via text. even names of brands.
I assumed it was simply grief. Perhaps he didn’t like Samantha’s cooking style. I didn’t ask any questions. Not quite yet.
Augustus and Mia were playing in the children’s room one evening. Roy and I sat in the kitchen.
We had just finished our meal. There was silence in the room. I took a drink of my tea. Roy gave me a glance.
He remarked, “Listen, I’ve been thinking,”
I raised my head. “Thinking about what?”
“Now we’re both by ourselves. Perhaps we can support one another.
I didn’t comprehend. I cocked my head. “Help each other how?”
He leaned slightly forward. “To feel better, you know. to cope with the tension.”
I gazed at him. “What are you saying?”
Roy remained still. “We are grownups. We can look out for one another. It need not have any significance.
I felt sick to my stomach. “Are you serious?”
“Yes. Samantha went out. I can’t wait indefinitely.”
I got to my feet. “Roy, I think you should leave.”
His hands went up slightly. “Come on, Lisa. This is not a significant issue.
I responded, “It is to me,” and I advised you to leave.
The front door opened and closed, and I heard it. I took a deep breath out. There was a problem. Roy wasn’t who I believed him to be.
I couldn’t get it off my mind. Samantha might not have simply fled. Perhaps she had a motive. a significant factor.
There was a problem. I had been upset with her, so I had pushed those thoughts away.
She had left Augustus, and I had loathed her for it. I wasn’t so sure now, though. What if everything I had said was incorrect?
I delivered Mia to my parents’ home. After that, I drove directly to Carla’s house. Samantha’s mother was Carla.
She opened the door and gave me a blank stare. She had a rigid face.
Saying “Hi, Carla,” “Can we talk?”
She said, “What do you want?”
Gazing directly at Samantha, I inquired, “Where is Samantha?”
“I don’t know,” she blurted out.
I inhaled deeply. I then filled her in on everything. I informed her of Roy’s peculiar actions.
About the guidelines for dinner. Regarding his words to me in my kitchen.
about his desire for me to be more. Carla’s expression shifted. She no longer had a furious expression.
She had a dejected expression. She then provided me with an address. She also provided me with Samantha’s new number.
I called as soon as I got out of Carla’s house.
By saying, “It’s Lisa,” “We must speak. I am aware that Roy is not who he claims to be.
There was a brief silence.
“Come over,” said Samantha.
I took a car to the apartment complex. It was old and little. I went upstairs and rapped on the door.
I spotted her when the door opened. However, she did not resemble the Samantha I knew. She had a pallid face. She had fatigued eyes. She appeared frightened.
I entered. She closed the door. Then she began to speak. Carefully and slowly. And the truth started to surface.
Everything had been under Roy’s control. Every action. Every single syllable. Each breath. Everyone believed him even if he had been nasty while posing as the ideal husband in public.
“That’s why I left,” Samantha reported. She said softly. “I needed to get out first. I needed to save myself. I intended to return later for Augustus.
I gave her a look. “What kept you from appearing in court? Or get a divorce?”
“I can’t,” she told him. “Everything will be taken by Roy. He’ll also take Augustus. He is acquainted with individuals. He is powerful. I don’t.
I trusted her. For years, Roy had been employed at the university. He had high-ranking friends.
“I told you that you were no longer alone. “I’ve arrived. Together, we’ll handle this. However, we require something powerful.
Samantha got to her feet and pulled out a drawer. She took her phone out. She declared, “I saved these,”
Roy’s texts were displayed to me by her. They were severe. chilly. Threatening.
He gave her instructions on what to say, do, and how to behave. You’ll regret taking Augustus, according to one message.
She then allowed me to listen to voicemails. He sounded irate. He cautioned her against battling him.
I remarked, “This is good,” “Why didn’t you give all this to a lawyer?”
“I was scared,” she said in a low voice. Her eyes welled with tears. “I assumed nobody would take me seriously. However, the residence is also equipped with cameras. ones that are hidden. Everything was captured by them.
I drew Samantha into an embrace after nodding. I held her and she felt tiny. Her trembling was palpable to me.
I said very little. I simply held her. I wanted her to understand that she was now safe. She no longer had to fight by herself.
I brought all of the voicemails, messages, and other supporting documentation to a lawyer the following morning. I told him everything.
He took notes, listened to the tapes, and read the documents. “She has a strong case,” he replied, looking up. She is capable of winning.
She also did.
Augustus was given to Samantha in complete custody. Roy was laid off. Samantha got the house. Roy was prohibited from approaching them ever again by a court order.
I was pleased. My friend had regained her life with my help. Nevertheless, I felt bad for not realizing the reality sooner.
Both of us were now unmarried mothers. However, nobody felt sorry for us this time. We were powerful.