I am new to your sitch, so feel a little bit silly handing out gratuitous advice - but maybe this is just one of those circumstances you have to let play itself out.
Women do leave their children. Women who are generally in the middle of a terrible emotional crisis of their own and they don't think they are capable of 'looking after' their own children. I suspect it's more common than we think.
How did you separation/divorce agreement deal with custody? Isn't your wife obliged to take some responsibility and spend some time with her daughters.
Given the abuse in that house, it's not a road you really want to go down anyway I guess?
The e-mail worked out well, so why don't you stay in touch like that. Just e-mail from time to time. Fill her in on things going on with the girls, start building a dialogue and see where it goes ...
Good luck.
V
Never make someone a priority, who makes you an option.
