I waved cheerfully at the nurses’ station as I hurried down the hallway toward Suzie’s room. But the moment I pushed the door open, I froze.
Inside the room, my daughters were sleeping peacefully in their bassinets.
But Suzie was gone.
At first, I thought she might have stepped out for a moment. Maybe she’d gone to get some air or talk to a nurse.
Then I noticed the note lying beside the bed.
My heart began pounding as I picked it up. My hands trembled while I unfolded it.
“Goodbye. Take care of them. Ask your mother WHY she did this to me.”
The words hit me like ice water.
I read the note again.
And again.
But the words didn’t change. They didn’t soften or transform into something less terrifying.
A cold chill spread through my body, rooting me to the spot.
What the hell did she mean?
Why would she…?
No. This couldn’t be happening.
Suzie had been happy.
Hadn’t she?
Just then, a nurse walked in carrying a clipboard.
“Good morning, sir, here’s the discharge —”
“Where’s my wife?” I interrupted.
The nurse hesitated, biting her lip.
“She checked out this morning. She said you knew.”
My mind spun.
“She — where did she go?” I asked, holding up the note. “Did she say anything else? Was she upset?”
The nurse frowned slightly.
“She seemed fine. Just… quiet. Are you saying you didn’t know?”
I shook my head slowly.
“She said nothing… just left me this note.”
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