I went to my husband’s office to return something he forgot, but the building was abandoned. A guard said the company closed years ago. My husband still claimed he was inside. Then my son whispered, “Mom… that’s Dad’s car.” I followed the stairs down and then…

The guard shook his head. “This building’s been empty since the shutdown. We only come by for inspections.”

My hands began to tremble.

I stepped aside and called my husband.

“Where are you?” I asked.
“At the office,” he answered immediately. “In a meeting.”

“Which office?”

“The usual one,” he said. “I’ll call you later.”

The call ended.

I stood there, frozen—until my son tugged my sleeve.

“Mom,” he whispered, pointing toward the ramp leading underground. “That’s Dad’s car.”

I followed his finger.