I took him to the beach, hoping the ocean could wash away even a little of the sadness. For the first time in weeks,

I heard him laugh as he splashed in the waves. For a moment, I let myself believe we were healing. But on our third day, everything shifted. Luke tugged my shirt,

pointing at a woman with familiar chestnut hair. “Dad, look — Mommy!” he whispered, full of hope. My heart stumbled.

The woman turned, and for a breathless second, I believed in miracles. But the shock in her eyes wasn’t the warmth of a mother returning home. It was someone who never expected to be seen again.

Later, she approached me quietly, alone and tense, revealing a truth that felt heavier than grief ever had. Stacey hadn’t passed away — she had left,

choosing a new life and believing distance and silence were easier than honesty. She apologized, but apologies couldn’t mend the pain or

confusion left behind. Luke deserved stability, love, and truth, not tangled explanations. I held him close that night,

wiping his tears as he asked questions I could barely answer myself. “Do you still have me, Daddy?” he whispered. And I promised him yes — now and always.

In the months that followed, we moved to a new city, building routines that felt warm, safe, and ours. Healing wasn’t instant —

some nights were quiet and heavy — but slowly, Luke’s laughter returned, and so did my sense of peace.

I chose not to look back. Instead, I focused on the little

boy whose hand stayed tucked inside mine, trusting me to lead us forward. We may not have the same family we once imagined,

but we have each other, and day by day, that proved to be enough. Life reshapes itself around love,

and ours is still strong — steady enough to carry us into brighter days.