When Anna left two years ago, she didn’t cry or slam the door—just said, “I can’t do this anymore,” and walked out, leaving me with our four-year-old twins, Max and Lily.

I had just lost my job, and our life unraveled overnight. I drove nights, delivered groceries by day, and leaned on my parents. Slowly, we found a rhythm. The kids became my anchor.

A freelance job turned into a stable remote position. We moved into a cozier place, and I started to feel alive again. Then one morning, I saw Anna crying in a café.

She confessed she’d made a mistake, left hoping for more, and now had nothing. She wanted to return. But she hadn’t even asked about the kids.

I walked away. That night, Max told me about a worm, Lily showed me her drawing, and I knew—we were whole. Anna’s chapter had closed. Our real story was just beginning.