When she vanished completely, panic consumed him.
He never told police because he feared being blamed.
For ten years, he carried that guilt alone.
When I learned the truth, I was angry.
Heartbroken.
Confused.
But mostly relieved.
Because none of it mattered anymore.
Nana was home.
The empty chair at family dinners was filled again.
The birthdays weren’t silent anymore.
The holidays felt complete.
Sometimes I still wake up and check to make sure it’s real.
Then I hear her laughing downstairs.
And I remember.
After ten years of searching.
After ten years of grief.
After ten years of refusing to give up.
My daughter finally came home.