This is the story of Mr Wakefield, a husband and a father of three children. He is a reserved man and one that seems to love his family given that he has been married for 10 years. Therefore, the events that follow are a mystery to most readers. One October evening, Mr. Wakefield decides to wear his drab coat and his hat and takes an umbrella and decides to leave his London apartment claiming that he is going to the countryside. He gives Mrs. Wakefield a kiss and tells her not to be alarmed in case he doesn't return after 3 days. His wife looks at him suspiciously as he walks away but doesn't take the remark too seriously. Interestingly, Mr. Wakefield goes and rents another apartment just across the street from his and decides to observe how his family reacts to his disappearance. At first, it seemed that he was only going to stay there for more than a week, but weeks turn to months, and months become years. He keeps the charade going for twenty years, making excuses and avoiding confrontation. Finally, he decides that he is going to go back home as if he never left for 20 years. Just as he is about to walk in, the author cuts the story and engages the readers and characters directly.