I always believed my wedding day was the happiest moment of my life—until I found out I was pregnant. The thought of holding our baby in my arms filled me with joy. But instead of the beautiful memory I had imagined, the birth of my daughter became the start of a nightmare.

Michael had promised to be by my side, holding my hand as I brought our child into the world. We had planned everything—the music, the first tiny outfit, even the way he would cut the umbilical cord. But when the time came, he was nowhere to be found.

I called him over and over, my panic growing with each unanswered ring. The nurses tried to reassure me, but their pitying looks only made it worse. My mother stayed with me, gripping my hand through every contraction, but her tight smile couldn’t hide her worry.

When Emily was finally placed in my arms, my heart swelled with love—but the space beside me, where Michael should have been, felt hollow. Where was he? What could possibly keep him from this moment?

Two days later, I left the hospital, exhausted but hopeful that Michael would be waiting at home with some explanation. Instead, I walked into silence. The house was empty. My stomach twisted as I rushed upstairs to the nursery—only to find it stripped bare.

In the middle of the crib was a single note:

“I love you and our baby, Elena. But I have to leave forever. Ask your mom why she did this.”

My hands shook as I read it. What did my mother have to do with this? I stormed downstairs, shoving the note at her. “What did you do? Where is Michael?”

Her face crumpled. “I didn’t want you to find out like this…”

“Find out what?” My voice cracked.

She took a deep breath. “He was cheating on you, Elena. With his boss. I confronted him, and he admitted it.”

The words hit me like a punch. No—Michael loved me. He was excited to be a father. But then I remembered the late nights, the sudden promotions, the expensive gifts. Had it all been a lie?

“You should have told me,” I whispered, tears streaming down my face. “You should have let me decide what to do.”

She reached for my hand. “I thought I was protecting you.”

But all I felt was betrayal—from Michael, from my mother. Now, I was left alone with a newborn and a shattered heart.