Our 50th wedding anniversary was meant to be a simple garden party. Just fifteen guests, soft music, and warm lights strung between the trees. I had told my daughter-in-law to leave her two boys at home and bring my granddaughter instead. She smiled politely but stayed unusually quiet that night, barely touching her food. I thought she was simply tired from the day’s preparations.
At 3 a.m., my phone rang. It was my granddaughter, her voice trembling. “Granny, help me!” she whispered. I rushed over, heart pounding, not knowing what to expect. When I arrived, the house was still, and my daughter-in-law sat on the floor, tears streaming down her face. She wasn’t hurt — she was heartbroken, her strength finally giving way after years of holding everything together alone.
