It had been five years since Daniel vanished without a trace. No calls. No letters. Not even a goodbye.

One morning, just as the family was settling into the familiar rhythm of disappointment and acceptance, the front door creaked open. Standing in the entryway was Daniel—older, calmer, and smiling. Beside him, holding his hand like they’d known each other forever, stood a stranger: his fiancée.

Gasps filled the room. Their mother dropped the dish she was holding. His father’s face was unreadable. But none of it compared to the reaction from his little sister,

Once Daniel’s shadow and biggest supporter, i stood frozen. Then, with tears in her eyes and venom in my voice, i spat: “You don’t get to show up with a ring and pretend the past didn’t happen.”

Everyone else seemed caught between joy and confusion, but me? i was furious. And i wasn’t ready to forgive the brother who disappeared and missed everything.