When a father returns ten years after leaving his little daughter with his mother to go with his new wife, he is astonished to discover that both of them have disappeared.

When Nicholas was seven years old, Doris Dakkar’s husband abandoned her, leaving her a single mother to raise her only son. Although it hadn’t been simple, Doris managed to ensure her kid didn’t go without anything by working two jobs.

She had been thirty years old at the time. She never thought she would be sixty years old and a single parent again. She also didn’t think her son would desert his daughter. It never occurred to her that he resembled his father so much.

Unfortunately, Sandra, Nicholas’s lovely wife, passed away when their daughter, Paige, was nine years old.

Doris had convinced herself that Nicky had hooked up with Donna a few weeks after Sandra’s passing because he was lonely and that they were married within six months.

Doris had been worried about the quietening of tiny Paige, who had been a lively and energetic youngster, but she blamed it on her mother’s passing. For a little while, she continued to think her son was a nice man.

Selfish folks don’t give a damn about other people’s happiness.

Nicholas approached Doris the summer of Paige’s tenth birthday and asked if he could watch Paige for three weeks while he and Donna went to Alaska alone.

Nicholas had remarked, “All couples need time alone, Mom,” “And lately, Paige has been challenging… She is angry with Donna.

Astonished, Doris nodded. With a “OK Nicky,” she said. “I believe that all three of you may benefit from a break. However, if I may… I believe Donna was aware of what she was putting herself into. She was aware of your daughter. A mature lady ought to be able to handle the suffering of a ten-year-old who is still processing the loss of her mother and the quick remarriage of her father.

Nicholas made a motion Doris was familiar with, flushing scarlet and puffing up his lips. “I should have known you’d take Paige’s side!” he gasped. “Donna loves me, she makes me happy, and that’s all that matters to me.”

“I would have thought SOMEONE had to be on Paige’s side and I’m surprised it’s not her father,” Doris replied, stung.

“And making your daughter happy should make YOU happy too!”

After leaving in a rage, Nicholas returned a week later with Paige and her bag, and he appeared to be his contented, typical self. He hugged Doris and gave Paige a tender farewell kiss.

He responded, “I’ll be back on August 27, Mom,” and waved happily as he drove away.

It would be more than ten years before Doris and Paige saw him again. After August 27th passed, Nicholas was nowhere to be found. Doris was shocked to find that her son’s number had been disconnected when she called him.

Since leaving, Nicholas hadn’t given his daughter a call, but he had occasionally responded to her texts. He appeared to be gone now. Doris learned that Nicholas and Sandra had sold the house they had purchased. He had left.

He’d abandoned his daughter with his aging mother without a word, or any concern for her well-being.

Doris sat down with Paige and told her: “Listen, we will manage, you and I. I don’t want you to worry. I’ll take care of you. I love you Paige, and I know that your father will come to regret what he has done.”

Doris didn’t know how right she was.

Ten years later, Nicholas drove up to his mother’s house. The house was there, but it seemed abandoned and decrepit. The garden was overgrown, and the windows were covered.

“Paige married and Doris lives with her. I hope you don’t expect the welcome that was given to the Prodigal Son,” she said coldly (she was her grandmother’s best friend). “After what you did to them, I’d expect the worse if I were you.”

Nicholas didn’t even reply. He just turned his back and walked away. He wasn’t worried, he knew how to handle his mother…

When he arrived at the address, he was surprised. His daughter and his mother were apparently living in a big luxuriant mansion!

He walked up to the door and rang the bell. “I want to speak to Doris or Paige Dakkar, please,” he said.

“You mean Mrs, Dakkar of Mrs. Henderson, sir.” the maid corrected him with a disdainful smile, and she led him into a huge elegant sitting room.

A few minutes later, Paige walked in. She cried at him in silence, but without any trace of surprise, and Nicholas knew that the meddling neighbor had called to concern them that he was coming.

“Paige, my baby…” he said.

“What is it that you want, father,” she asked.

“I wanted to see you, and grandma Doris, honey,” Nicholas said. “I’ve missed you so much…”

At that moment, Doris walked in.

“Nicholas,” she said. “What do you want?”

Nicholas bronzed. “I wanted to see my family,” he cried. “I was hoping for a warm welcome!”

“You abandoned me, father,” Paige said coldly. “You predicted warmth?”

“Mom?” whined Nicholas.

“It wasn’t me… Donna…she insisted. She said she’d leave me…”

“Oh!” cried Doris with a knowing smile. “But you’re here alone. Does that mean that the money ran out and so did Donna?”

“You’re certainly not short!” he said bitterly.

“I would have thought you could spare something…I’m unemployed and struggling…”

“I’m amazed you have the gall to ask us for anything, father,” Paige said.

“You left us when we needed you most, but we controlled. Now thanks to my husband, we have everything we need.”

“I’m still your father,” Nicholas said.