I Thought My Daughter Was Just Going Through a Phase, but Her Journal Exposed a Truth I Wasn’t Ready for – Story of the Day

I assumed that my daughter’s disobedient behavior was a passing period that all teenagers experience. However, upon discovering her notebook, I discovered a startling fact that completely contradicted my preconceived notions about her life. I had no idea how deep the secrets she had been keeping were.

I’m scared of my own daughter; is that normal? I don’t mean to seem eerie, but Ava had gone through that rebellious adolescent stage.

At times, it seemed as though a gremlin had taken her place, and in lieu of my beloved girl, I had this thing that could only yell, “You all drive me crazy!” She wears clothes that are three sizes too big and locks herself in her room.

However, my affection for her remained unwavering. I reared her alone because she was my baby.

It has been just the two of us ever since my ex left when Ava was just two years old.

I believed that our relationship would help me get through her adolescence, but it didn’t.

Ava became the stereotypical adolescent who detested everything and believed that everyone was stupid.

It was still a little naive at first. All I heard were slamming doors, eye rolls, and scathing remarks.

However, Ava gradually began withdrawing more and more, lingering after school later, and even going out at night without my knowledge.

I had trouble falling asleep one of those nights. As I was heading to the kitchen to prepare some tea, I noticed odd sounds coming from Ava’s room. She was almost out of the window when I hurried in without giving it any thought.However, Ava gradually began withdrawing more and more, lingering after school later, and even going out at night without my knowledge.

I had trouble falling asleep one of those nights. As I was heading to the kitchen to prepare some tea, I noticed odd sounds coming from Ava’s room. She was almost out of the window when I hurried in without giving it any thought.

“Mom! Why do you enter my room so forcefully without knocking? With a flush of shame and rage, Ava yelled.

She gave me the impression that I was the one who was acting inappropriately, not the one who was slinking out of the house in the middle of the night.

“Come back in here now! Furthermore, don’t even consider disputing with me! In the middle of the night, where do you imagine you’re heading? I lost my temper.

Reluctantly, with defiant eyes, Ava climbed back into her chamber. She yelled at me, “None of your business!” as if she was entitled to this behavior.

“Oh, it’s my concern! Your mommy is me! I fired back.

“I’ve grown up now! I’m free to do anything I want! Ava let out a scream.

I remarked, “Grown-ups don’t climb out the window like thieves; they leave through the front door.”

As like my words were inconsequential, Ava simply crossed her arms and scoffed. If only she could sense my emotions, if only she knew. I wasn’t upset with her at the time; rather, I was afraid for her if she knew it.

“Who are you with? A man? I inquired.

Ava’s face contorted in exasperation as she snarled, “I’m not explaining myself to you.”

“You realize that you can’t simply flee in the middle of the night, don’t you?” Trying to speak steadily, I asked. “It’s risky, and you never know what might happen.”

“Whenever I want, I’ll go wherever I want!” Ava fired back.

“Oh, really?” “I said.”

I turned and left her room after saying those words. I knew I had to act, but I wasn’t sure what to do.

I went to the basement and got some screws and a drill. Even though my hands were shaking, I had to continue.

No matter what, I had to protect her. In order to prevent Ava from opening the window again, I returned to her room and fastened it shut.

“Are you crazy?” Ava let out a scream. “That’s not possible!”

“Oh, I can, indeed. I said, “I have to make sure you’re safe and not out sneaking around at night because you’re my responsibility.”

“I need some fresh air!” I can’t even open the window now! Ava shouted.

I said, “We’ll take walks,” and left her room.

“Like in jail!” Ava yelled after me and slammed her door so forcefully that the walls trembled.

I pressed myself against the wall outside her room as soon as her door banged. I was overcome with fear. This actually happened.

I had no idea what was going on in Ava’s life, and she was slipping away at night.

I had no idea who she was meeting, where she was going, or whether I would ever be able to reach her again. It was painful. Despite the excruciating pain, I had no idea what else to do.

Ava didn’t speak to me at all after that night and totally cut me off. Nothing. Quiet.

It was oppressive and deafening. And I didn’t know how to deal with it or explain to her that all I did was done for her safety. I had no one to turn to for assistance.

My daughter, who now seemed to despise me, and I were alone. I couldn’t get Ava’s diminutive size out of my head.

Yes, she had always been obstinate, but she had always had a smile that brightened the room and always laughed.

I had never known a happier child than her. She cherished everyone and everything. How did this happen? What caused her to despise everything?

I held me responsible. I believed that I must have been a bad mother and that I had somehow let her down.

I let out a long sigh as I drove Ava to school one morning. “If I did something incorrectly, I apologize. I’m determined to make things right between us. How can I put things right? I inquired.

The ensuing hush was intolerable.

I adore you more than anything else, Ava. Don’t ignore me, please,” I begged.

More quiet. It felt like the car was empty. I parked the car when we got to her school.

I answered, “I just want to talk to you and put things right.”

“I hate you,” Ava muttered before slamming the car door. I felt as though my heart was being ripped apart as I lingered there for a while with my head resting on the steering wheel.

I remained motionless until I was startled out of it by the honking behind me. I drove home, but the sense of dread persisted.

I then did something that I had vowed never to do. I entered Ava’s room and began looking through her belongings.

I couldn’t see any other option, so I ended up becoming the parent I had always hated—the one that violated their child’s privacy.

I rummaged in her wardrobe, flipped over her bed, checked all the drawers, and even looked in the laundry basket. Nothing.

Everything appeared to be typical. Until I saw that the mattress didn’t look right. When I lifted it, I saw a notebook underneath.

My heart stopped when I opened it. It was her journal. Something inside of me begged to read it, but common sense told me to put it down and respect her privacy.

I took a seat at her desk and turned the pages with shaking hands.

At first, it was simply the typical teenage fare—daily turmoil, school, friends, and boys.

Then I saw a word that chilled me to the bone. “Dad.” Breathing became increasingly difficult as I read more.

Ava had written about her father’s eventual return to her life. She said that he had urged her to keep their meetings a secret from me, and they spent time together, chatted, and hung around. And let’s not even talk about him.

I was afraid. After all these years, what did he want? What did he intend to do?

I then noticed the final entry. My stomach fell as I saw that it had only been penned the day before.

Dad and I are finally leaving here tomorrow. I’ll be picked up by him after school. Mom won’t be able to control me longer, and I’ll be free at last. Dad isn’t like her.

Work and other dull things that adults care about are irrelevant to him. In order for us to live in peace, he requested me to take as much money as possible. I’ve completed it already. I located the funds my mother had saved for my schooling.

It was unbelievable to me. This was written by my daughter. She was totally against me because of this bastard.

He didn’t give a damn about Ava, and I knew precisely what he wanted. All he wanted was the cash. I refused to allow him to sever her heart once more.

I got into the car and drove quickly to the school. I was aware that Roy, the jerk, was scheduled to pick up Ava as lessons were coming to a conclusion.

Even though I got there before the bell rang, it was already too late. I watched as Ava got into Roy’s vehicle and they took off together. I called the cops and followed them.

Roy wasn’t the kind to accept responsibility, so I knew he wouldn’t take Ava with him.

And I was correct, as it happened. An hour or so after we left the city, he pulled up to a gas station. Roy drove off, leaving Ava behind as she stepped out of the car.

I saw my daughter’s face contorted in anguish and uncertainty as she screamed after him.

As soon as I drew up next to her, I leaped out the car. She burst into tears as soon as she saw me.

As though I could shield her from everything that had just transpired, I put my arms around her.

“He abandoned me,” Ava cried.

I replied, “I know, but I’m here, and everything will be fine.”

“No, it won’t,” Ava sobbed even more. “He simply abandoned me after I gave him the funds you had saved for my education.”

“Don’t worry, I understand. I told her that the cops would apprehend him.

“How did you find out?” Ava gave me a look.

“I read your journal. I apologize. I acknowledged that it was bad, but I was at a loss for what to do.

Ava hesitated, staring at me for a while. Then she said, “It’s all right. I’m happy you did.

“I apologize,” I repeated.

“Are you aware of what he said to me prior to his departure?” I gave a headshake when Ava inquired. She remarked, “He said I’m nobody, that he never needed me.”

“You are not a nobody. You’re a good girl, intelligent, and attractive. “You will always be my daughter,” I remarked.

Ava gave me a firm hug. “I’m grateful,” she muttered.

We arrived at the police station an hour later. The officers spoke with Ava, and they gave me my money back.

For the first time in years, I saw Roy. It was nearly intolerable how hatefully he gazed at Ava and me.

I was reminded once more of how fortunate we were to have him gone from our life.

My heart hurt with affection for Ava as she laid her head on my shoulder in silence on the journey home.

I came to the realization that, despite my imperfections, I was doing everything correctly as a mother. What could I do, though? Ava was my life, and this was life.