He Left His Daughter With Grandma And Disappeared—Ten Years Later, He Came Back To A Shocking Surprise
Nicholas Dakkar thought he had it all figured out. He handed his ten-year-old daughter over to his elderly mother so he could enjoy a carefree vacation with his new wife—and then never came back. Ten years passed before he returned. But when he finally did, everything had changed, and the welcome he expected was nothing like the one he got.
It all started years earlier.
Doris Dakkar had already known what it was like to be a single mom. When her husband walked out on her and their seven-year-old son Nicholas, Doris had no choice but to raise him alone. She was only thirty at the time and worked two jobs just to make sure Nicholas had everything he needed.
She never imagined that, decades later, at the age of sixty, she’d be a single parent again—this time to her granddaughter, Paige. But life has a cruel way of repeating history.
Nicholas had married a sweet woman named Sandra, and together they had Paige. Everything seemed perfect, until Sandra died unexpectedly when Paige was only nine.
Doris remembered how quickly things changed. Nicholas didn’t waste any time. Just weeks after Sandra’s death, he started seeing another woman—Donna. Within six months, they were married.
Doris tried to understand. Maybe he was lonely. Maybe he was trying to move on. But something didn’t sit right. Paige, once full of laughter and energy, became quiet and withdrawn. Doris blamed it on the loss of her mother at first, but deep down, she was starting to worry about her son’s choices.
That summer, when Paige turned ten, Nicholas came over with an unexpected request.
“Mom,” he said, brushing his hand through his hair, “Donna and I are planning a trip to Alaska. Just the two of us. We need some time alone. Could you keep Paige for three weeks?”
Doris frowned. “Nicky, are you sure that’s a good idea?”
He shrugged. “All couples need time alone, Mom. Paige’s been difficult lately. She resents Donna.”
Doris raised an eyebrow. “She’s ten. And she just lost her mother. Donna knew what she was getting into when she married you. A grown woman should understand a child’s pain.”
Nicholas’s face turned red. He puffed up his lips, just like he did as a child when he didn’t get his way.
“I should’ve known you’d take Paige’s side!” he snapped. “Donna makes me happy, and that’s all that matters.”
Doris’s heart cracked at his words. “I would’ve hoped making your daughter happy mattered to you too.”
Nicholas stormed out, offended. But a week later, he returned with Paige and her small suitcase. He seemed cheerful again. He gave Paige a kiss, hugged his mom, and waved goodbye.
“I’ll be back on August 27th,” he said, grinning.
But August 27th came—and went. No Nicholas.
Doris waited. She called. The number was disconnected. He was gone. Completely vanished.
He didn’t call Paige. He didn’t even check in. Once in a while, he would send a short reply to her text messages, but that soon stopped too. Then Doris learned he had sold the house he’d once shared with Sandra. There was no sign of him or Donna. He had disappeared—leaving his daughter behind without a second thought.
Doris sat Paige down and looked her in the eyes.
“Sweetheart,” she said gently, “we will be okay. We’ll manage together, you and I. I love you, and I promise I’ll take care of you. And you know what? One day, your father will regret what he did. I’m sure of it.”
Doris had no idea just how right she would be.
Ten years later, a rusty old car rolled up the cracked driveway of Doris’s house. It was barely recognizable now—the once-warm family home was worn down, the garden overgrown, windows shuttered. The place looked like no one had lived there in years.
Nicholas stepped out of the car. He was older, unkempt, and his clothes were worn. He walked next door and knocked on the neighbor’s door. An older woman, her eyes sharp, opened it. She knew who he was immediately.
“You’re back,” she said coldly. “Paige and Doris don’t live here anymore.”
“Do you know where they are?” Nicholas asked.
The woman looked him up and down. “They moved on with their lives. Paige’s married now, and Doris lives with her. But let me tell you something—I wouldn’t expect a warm welcome. After what you did, you’re lucky if they speak to you at all.”
Nicholas turned without saying a word. He still believed he could charm his mother. He always had.
When he pulled up to the address the neighbor had given him, he was stunned. It wasn’t an apartment. It was a mansion. A real one—with gates, manicured lawns, and expensive cars parked out front.
He walked up and rang the bell. A maid in a crisp uniform opened the door.
“I’m here to see Doris or Paige Dakkar,” he said.
“You mean Mrs. Dakkar or Mrs. Henderson,” the maid replied, raising an eyebrow. “Please, follow me.”
She led him into an enormous, elegant sitting room filled with sunlight, fine furniture, and delicate decorations. Nicholas’s eyes darted around, clearly impressed.
A few minutes later, Paige entered the room. She was no longer a little girl. She was a poised, confident woman now—and she wasn’t surprised to see him.
That neighbor must have called ahead.
“Paige, my baby…” Nicholas started, stepping forward to hug her.
Paige didn’t move. Her voice was calm, but distant. “What do you want, Father?”
“I came to see you… and Grandma Doris,” he said, putting on a smile. “I’ve missed you both.”
Doris entered then. She looked younger than he remembered. Graceful, elegant, and composed.
“Nicholas,” she said simply. “Why are you here?”
Nicholas frowned. “I was hoping to see my family again. Maybe… be welcomed back?”
“You abandoned me,” Paige said, her voice cold and clear. “And now you expect warmth?”
Nicholas turned to his mother. “Mom, I didn’t mean to… It was Donna. She said she’d leave me if I didn’t cut ties… I had no choice!”
Doris raised an eyebrow and smirked knowingly. “And now you’re here alone. Let me guess—Donna left you this time?”
Nicholas didn’t answer. His eyes scanned the room again. He couldn’t hide the bitterness. “You’re certainly living well. I’m unemployed, struggling… I thought maybe you could help.”
Paige’s expression didn’t change. “You only thought of yourself back then. Now you come crawling back because you want money?”
“I’m still your father,” Nicholas snapped.
“To me,” Paige said quietly, “you’re nothing.”
Doris looked at him with tears in her eyes, not of joy but sorrow. Paige gently reached for her grandmother’s hand. “But for Grandma Doris’s sake, I’ll help you.”
She walked over to a beautiful desk, opened a drawer, and pulled out a set of keys. Then she placed some money into an envelope.
“These are the keys to the old house. There’s five thousand dollars inside. Don’t come back asking for more. This is all you’ll get.”
She wrapped an arm around Doris and guided her out. Moments later, the maid returned and escorted Nicholas to the door, making sure he didn’t pocket anything on the way out.
Nicholas stood outside, alone. He walked back to his car, sat in the driver’s seat, and stared at the mansion that now belonged to the daughter he had abandoned.
“I did what I had to do,” he muttered. “Why can’t they see that? Why can’t anyone see how I’ve suffered? There’s no gratitude in this world…”
What can we learn from this story?
Selfish people think only of their own happiness. Nicholas didn’t hesitate to leave behind the people who loved him. He believed he could return when he wanted and still be welcomed with open arms.
But life doesn’t work that way.
What you give is what you get. He gave nothing—and yet, Paige and Doris still gave him more than he deserved: a roof over his head and one last act of kindness.
But love? That’s something you have to earn—and Nicholas gave it away a long time ago.
