Julia’s life shattered when her husband, Tom, was diagnosed with cancer and passed away two months later. Despite her grief, she stayed strong for her young son, Rob. Over time, Tom’s brother, Mike, re-entered their lives. Julia knew Mike had feelings for her, but she had chosen Tom. As Mike became a comforting presence, she decided to marry him to provide Rob with a father figure.

Years later, Julia came home to an unsettling silence. Mike revealed that Rob, then 15, had left a letter stating, “I thought it would be better for everyone if I wasn’t around to bring up more bad memories.” Julia was convinced Rob wouldn’t leave willingly and sought police help, but they insisted, “Let’s just let him go. He doesn’t want to be found anyway.” Despite their advice, Julia never stopped searching for her son.

Ten years later, Julia’s sister, Schuyler, revealed that Mike had secretly been in contact with Rob all along, convincing him to leave. Julia was heartbroken but managed to reconnect with Rob through a burner phone Mike had hidden. Julia divorced Mike and moved next to Rob, attending his wedding and becoming a loving grandmother.