Four years after Maggie’s husband, Jason, disappeared during a solo hike, she had come to terms with his loss. But when their dog, Scout, returned with Jason’s jacket in his mouth, Maggie followed him into the forest, uncovering a truth she never expected.

Jason had been struggling with depression when he left for the hike. He promised he’d be back soon, but he never returned. Despite extensive search efforts, he was declared dead months later. Over time, Maggie kept his memory alive for their children, but doubts and guilt still lingered.

One afternoon, while watching her kids play outside, Scout reappeared, looking thinner and older, holding Jason’s green jacket. Maggie’s heart raced as she followed him into the forest, unsure of where he was leading. After a long trek, she arrived at a hidden cabin and saw Jason inside, wild-eyed and disheveled, with another woman named Sarah.

Jason explained he had left to live a freer life, claiming his old life had felt like a prison. Maggie was crushed. He had walked away from his family, his children believing him dead. Anger and heartbreak overwhelmed her as Jason, detached, seemed to care little about the devastation he had caused.

After a painful confrontation, Maggie walked away, realizing that the man she had loved was gone. The next day, she filed for divorce. Her children deserved more than Jason’s empty promises. She was ready to move on and build a new life for them, free from the past.