It had been a month since Maria vanished from the park, leaving Brandon and their children, Ade and Maye, behind. For the first few days, Brandon tried to stay calm, telling himself that this was just another one of Maria’s disappearing acts. She’d done it before—gone for a day or two, maybe even three, but she’d always come back. This time, though, felt different. A month was too long, even for her.
With no word from Maria and no idea where she’d gone, Brandon had no choice but to pick up the pieces and keep moving. Each day, he juggled running his small business, getting Ade and Maye ready for school, packing their lunches, and helping them with their homework. The weight of it all bore down on him, and it was becoming too much.
One night, exhausted and overwhelmed, Brandon made a decision. He needed help and a fresh start, even if it was just temporary. He packed up some essentials and moved in with his sister, Lisa, who was more than willing to offer her support.
[Scene: Lisa’s home, a modest but welcoming house. The kitchen is filled with the smell of freshly baked cookies. Lisa is busy at the counter while Brandon sits at the kitchen table, staring out the window, deep in thought. The kids, Ade and Maye, are in the living room, playing quietly with their cousins.]
Lisa: (gently, noticing Brandon's distant look) Are you okay, Brandon? You’ve barely touched your coffee.
Brandon: (sighs, rubbing his temples) I’m just tired, Lisa. Tired of all this. I knew Maria had a habit of leaving, but this... disappearing for a whole month? That’s a new low, even for her.
Lisa: (nodding, concerned) I’m glad you decided to come here. The kids need some stability, and you need a break. Have you heard anything from her?
Brandon: (shaking his head) Not a word. No calls, no messages. It’s like she vanished off the face of the earth. But you know what? I don’t even care anymore. I just want to focus on Ade and Maye.
Lisa: (placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder) You’re doing the right thing, Brandon. We’re here for you, no matter what.
[Brandon nods, giving a small smile. He’s grateful for his sister’s support, but a part of him still feels the sting of Maria’s betrayal.]
[Meanwhile, back at their old house, Maria finally returns. She pushes open the door, expecting to find things just as she left them. The house is eerily quiet, almost too quiet. She quickly realizes that it’s empty. No Brandon, no kids, no laughter or noise. Her heart begins to race, and frustration boils inside her.]
Maria: (angry, muttering to herself) Where are they? Where did they go?
[She paces around the empty living room, checking her phone for any messages from Brandon, but there are none. She dials his number, her fingers trembling with a mix of anger and anxiety. After a few rings, he picks up.]
Brandon: (coldly) Maria.
Maria: (furious) Brandon, where the hell are you? Where are the kids?
Brandon: (calm but firm) We’re staying with Lisa for now. I couldn’t keep waiting around, not knowing if you’d ever come back. The kids deserve better than that.
Maria: (snapping) You took them away? That’s their home! You had no right to leave without telling me!
Brandon: (anger rising) No right? You disappear for weeks at a time without a word, and I’m supposed to keep waiting around like a fool? I’m done with this, Maria. I’m done letting your games affect the kids.
Maria: (voice trembling with frustration) I needed space, Brandon! You don’t understand—
Brandon: (cutting her off) No, Maria. You don’t understand. You’ve done this over and over again, but a month? That’s too much. The kids were asking for you every day. I had to look them in the eyes and say I didn’t know where their mother was. That’s not fair to them—or to me.
[There’s a long pause on the line. Maria is seething, but she knows there’s some truth in his words. She takes a deep breath, trying to hold back tears of anger and frustration.]
Maria: (quietly, but still angry) So what now? You just keep them from me?
Brandon: (sighs) I’m not keeping them from you, but things need to change. You can see them, but it has to be stable. No more disappearing acts. If you can’t commit to that, then we need to talk about what’s best for them.
[Maria hangs up abruptly, not wanting to hear more. She throws her phone on the couch, furious and feeling cornered. She knows she has to figure out her next move, but right now, she’s too angry to think straight.]
[Back at Lisa's house, Brandon sets down his phone, his heart heavy but resolute. He knows there will be more battles ahead, but for the first time in a long while, he feels like he’s taking control of his life—and the lives of his children.]
Lisa: (entering the room, sensing the tension) Was that Maria?
Brandon: (nodding, quietly) Yeah. She’s back. And she’s not happy we left.
Lisa: (supportively) You’re doing what’s best for the kids, Brandon. Keep moving forward. We’ve got your back.
[Brandon nods, feeling a mixture of relief and dread. He knows this isn’t the end of his troubles with Maria, but at least now he has a plan—and he’s not alone.]
YOU ARE READING
I fell in love with a Daddy of Two!
RomanceBrandon, in his early 30s, was a man who had faced his fair share of battles. Once a proud owner of a small but thriving company, his life took a downward turn after a tumultuous separation from his wife, Maria. Known for her wild and unpredictable...
