My Fiancé Abandoned Me and His Twin Daughters on Vacation, Leaving a Note: ‘I Have to Disappear. Soon, You’ll Understand’

I remembered you telling me about your childhood St. Bernard, Max, and how much he meant to you. You said he was your hero, your protector, your best friend. I couldn’t let the chance slip by to bring that kind of joy back into your life.

Thank you for loving me and my girls. Thank you for becoming part of our family. I wanted to surprise you with something that shows how much you mean to us.

I hope Max Jr. brings the same light into your life that you’ve brought into ours. I’m sorry for the chaos—I got carried away by excitement. Forgive me, and please give Max Jr. a scratch behind the ears for me.”*

I sank onto the couch, shaking my head, a mixture of laughter and relief bubbling up. My goofy, impulsive fiancé had terrified me—but for the sweetest reason.

As I watched Max Jr. tumble over his oversized paws and make the girls laugh, memories of my first Max came rushing back. When I was four, Max had saved my life, pulling me out of the water when I’d fallen in during a family picnic. He had been my loyal companion, my protector, until the day we lost him to old age.

Now, looking at Max Jr., with his wagging tail and playful eyes, it felt like a piece of my past had found its way home.

A few moments later, the sound of the front door creaking open broke the silence. Matt stepped inside, looking both guilty and nervous, with a bag of puppy supplies in his hand.

“Uh… surprise?” he said, his voice uncertain.

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