He Abandoned His Daughter with His Mother for 10 Years — And When He Returned, the House Was Empty

Nicolás was raised by his mother, Doris Durán, a strong and determined woman who had to face life alone after her husband walked out when their son was just seven. To support them, she worked two jobs and did everything to ensure her son never went without.

She never imagined that, decades later, at age sixty, she would face a similar heartbreak—this time, watching her own son abandon his daughter, Paula.

After marrying a kind woman named Sandra, Nicolás seemed to have found stability. But tragedy struck when Sandra died suddenly, leaving Paula motherless at just nine years old. Nicolás fell into grief, but not for long. Within weeks, he started a relationship with Diana, and in just six months, they were married.

Paula, once a cheerful and affectionate girl, became withdrawn and quiet. Doris believed the change was caused by the trauma of losing her mother and the sudden replacement with a stepmother. Still, she tried to believe her son had a good heart.

That summer, when Paula turned ten, Nicolás asked Doris to take care of her for three weeks while he and Diana went on vacation. “Every couple needs some time alone,” he said. “And Paula’s been difficult… she doesn’t get along with Diana.”

Doris was surprised but agreed. “Maybe some space will help. But Diana knew you had a grieving daughter when she married you. A grown woman should be able to handle a child in pain.”

Nicolás snapped. “Of course you’re taking her side! Diana makes me happy, and that’s all that matters!”

Doris replied, hurt, “Someone has to be on Paula’s side—and I’m shocked it’s not her own father.”

Nicolás stormed off, but a week later he returned with Paula and her suitcase. He kissed his daughter lovingly, hugged Doris, and said with a smile, “I’ll be back on August 27th.”

But August 27th came and went, and Nicolás never returned.

His number had been disconnected. He never contacted his daughter again. Doris later discovered that he and Diana had sold their house and left without saying a word.

With her heart breaking, Doris looked at her granddaughter and said, “We’ll be fine, just the two of us. I love you, Paula. And I know someday your father will come back… full of regret.”

Ten years later, Nicolás returned. But when he arrived at his mother’s house, it looked abandoned. Weeds covered the yard, the windows were shut, and there was no sign of life.

He knocked on a neighbor’s door. The woman barely recognized him and, with a cold tone, said:

“Paula got married. Doris lives with her now. Don’t expect a warm welcome after what you did.”

Still, Nicolás went to the address. He was stunned to see a luxurious mansion. When he rang the bell, a uniformed maid answered.

“I’m here to see Doris or Paula Durán,” he said.

“You must mean Mrs. Durán and Mrs. Hidalgo,” the maid replied with a smirk and led him into an elegant living room.

A few minutes later, Paula entered—elegant, poised, and not at all surprised. The neighbor must have warned them.

“Paula, my baby…” he said, stepping forward to hug her. But she stepped back.

“What do you want, Father?”

“I just wanted to see you and your grandmother. I’ve missed you both so much.”

Just then, Doris entered the room, composed and calm.

“Nicolás,” she said coolly. “What are you doing here?”

Blushing, he replied, “I came to see my family. I was hoping for a warm welcome…”

“You abandoned me, Father,” Paula said plainly. “Did you expect warmth?”

Nicolás turned to Doris for support. “It wasn’t my choice… Diana said she’d leave me if I didn’t…”

“Wow,” Doris said, unimpressed. “So now you’re here, alone. Let me guess: the money ran out, and Diana left too?”

Still missing the point, Nicolás looked around and muttered bitterly, “I see you’ve done well… Maybe you can help me. I’m unemployed and have nowhere to go.”

“I’m shocked you even have the nerve to ask,” Paula said. “You left us when we needed you most. Yes, we live well now—but not thanks to you.”

“I’m still your father,” he argued.

“You mean nothing to me,” Paula replied coldly. Then she turned to Doris. “But for Grandma’s sake, I’ll help.”

She walked over to an elegant desk, pulled out an envelope and a set of keys.

“These are the keys to the old house. There’s $5,000 in this envelope. That’s all you’ll get. Don’t come back.”

She put her arm around Doris and led her out. Moments later, the maid returned to escort Nicolás out.

He sat in his car outside for a long time, staring at the mansion.

“I did what I had to do,” he muttered to himself. “That was the only way I could be happy. They had each other. Why do they treat me like this? It’s so unfair!”

But deep down, he knew the answer.