My mom disappeared when I was 12. The police searched for her but never found a trace, and I never saw my dad shed a single tear. Then, without warning, he left the country, and I was raised by his mother.

Last week, I visited Grandma one last time before she passed away. Through her tears, she said, “Forgive me… It’s time you learned the truth. Your mom didn’t disappear—she made a choice to leave. She told your dad never to contact her again.”

I was shocked. Mom had me when she was just 17 and never really felt ready for motherhood. When I was 12, she met someone else in Argentina and left to be with him. My dad was so devastated, he couldn’t stay either—so he left, leaving me with his mom.

And the police search? It was all a story they told me to make me believe she was missing. My whole life had been based on a lie. Now, I don’t know how to move forward.