We were expecting to read something thoughtful, but her letter brought us this surprise. When she was just 18, Sarah told a story that shook us and turned us furious, ending with quiet admiration.
Her life was about much more than grief. It focuses on disloyalty, the will to keep going and a sudden, shocking truth.
Essentially, the family was pulled apart due to the father’s habitual infidelity.
After being told his wife had terminal brain cancer, this man left her and didn’t come back.
I didn’t expect to put words like these on paper,” Alyson told them. Maybe opening up about it can give someone the sense that they are not alone. It might be simply how I try to stop my mom’s voice from escaping with her.”
Alyson and Emma lived with the belief that Rick was their father and he was endearing and loving. He always made people laugh, was great with everyone and lit up every party.
Even if he appeared normal to the outside world, he lived a double life in private. Gentle, loving and extremely patient, Donna made sure the family stayed together even when things got difficult.
The next step was getting the diagnosis: Stage 4 brain cancer.She responded to it with a quiet and brave spirit. We both shared the news with Dad at the same time. His reaction? ‘Wow. That’s… heavy.”
He hadn’t been there by the following morning. There was no chance to say goodbye or tell them I was leaving. Only words.
I am living with Linda. Now that the girls are older, they can help out.
For nearly twenty years, he had been with Linda, his mistress.
After her brother left, Alyson and Emma had to care for their mother as she was dying by themselves. Carrying sadness within them, they managed her medicines, provided her meals and kept her calm over her roughest nights.
Not even once did she think, ‘Why did this happen to me?’ Alyson said. She merely explained, “Anyone who truly cares for you will stay.”
Their father did not ever appear. Not for a stay. Not simply for a phone call. Even as Donna died peacefully, with her daughters beside her.
After two weeks had passed, the phone started to ring. Both cheerful and oblivious, Rick informed Linda that he was getting married.
“We hope you will both join us,” he added, as if we were all the same as before.
Alyson decided to attend but didn’t want to celebrate.
The place looked stylish. There were white tablecloths, colorful lights and laughter in every corner. The women arrived wearing only black outfits. Heads turned.
Following the formal talks, Alyson let Emma have her moment by her side. She stepped up to the microphone and began addressing the crowd when it was silent.
Look at how lovely tonight is. A celebration of a love that began when he was married to another woman.”
The reaction of shock spread around the room.
She was responsible for cooking all of his food. Stayed faithful. When she was told her can.cer could not be cured, he left her. Right into the arms of the lady he’d been cheating with.
Emma mentioned, “He walked away from the person who gave him all she had.” He passed away. Our purpose here today is to show people what betrayal really means.
Alyson lifted her glass one last time.
To our mother, who should have had everything she wished for. To the man who led us to understand disloyalty. And to the woman who thought the love she took was genuine in the end.
After that, they left the room.
Could Revenge have been the reason? Alyson mentioned in her letter. “Maybe. However, it was true as well. Sometimes, the truth is the most powerful voice among all the others.
She wanted to share some advice for others out there like herself:
“To those who have gone through our story, remember that you are not alone.” It’s not necessary to yell at your children. You only need to begin talking. For yourself. Those who are gone. For what they could not say before their death.
— Alyson M., age 18
Daughter. Witness. Then her mother’s legacy came into play.
