– Jordan, I’m sorry to bring this up on your wedding day… But did you know your new wife has a daughter? – my colleague’s words practically glued me to the driver’s seat.
-What do you mean? – I was in disbelief.
-My wife saw your Emily at the wedding and whispered to me: “I wonder if the groom knows his bride has a daughter in a children’s home?”
-Can you believe it, Jordan? I nearly choked on my salad when my wife mentioned that she personally handled the paperwork for giving up the newborn girl. My Sophie works at the maternity ward. She remembered your Emily because of the birthmark on her neck. She also mentioned that Emily named the daughter Amelia and gave her her surname. Seems like it was about five years ago, – my colleague eagerly watched my reaction.
I sat in shock behind the wheel. What a revelation!
I decided to get to the bottom of it myself. I didn’t want to believe it. Of course, I knew Emily wasn’t some naive teenager; she was thirty-two when we married. Naturally, she had a past. But why give up her own child? How do you live with that?
With my job, it wasn’t long before I found the children’s home where Amelia Smith was staying.
The director introduced me to a cheerful little girl with a beaming smile:
-Meet our Amelia Smith, – he said to her, – how old are you, sweetheart? Tell the gentleman.
It was hard not to notice the little girl’s severe squint. I immediately felt a strong sympathy for her. She already felt like part of my family because this little one was the daughter of the woman I loved. My grandmother always said:
-A child, however flawed, is a wonder to their parents.
Amelia walked closer and said:
-Four. Are you my daddy?
I was taken aback. How do you respond to a child who sees every man as a father figure?
-Amelia, let’s have a chat. Do you want a mommy and daddy? – I asked the obvious. But I already wanted to take this lovely girl home immediately.
-I do! Will you take me? – Amelia asked, her eyes searching mine intently.
-I will, but a bit later. Will you wait, sweetheart? – It tore at my heartstrings.
-I’ll wait. You promise? – Amelia asked with a newfound seriousness.
-I promise, – I said, kissing her cheek.
Returning home, I explained everything to my wife.
-Emily, it doesn’t matter what happened before us, but we need to bring Amelia home. I’ll adopt her.
-Did you ask me if I want this girl? And she’s cross-eyed too! – Emily raised her voice.
-She’s your own daughter! I’ll arrange an operation for her eyes. Everything will be okay. She’s a delight! You’ll fall in love instantly, – I was shocked by Emily’s attitude.
Well, after much persuasion, I convinced Emily to adopt Amelia.
It took a year before we brought Amelia home. I visited her often at the home, and we formed a bond. Emily still wasn’t keen on having a child and even wanted to halt the adoption process midway. I insisted we continue and finalize it.
Finally, the day came when Amelia walked through our door for the first time. Every little thing amazed and delighted her. Soon, ophthalmologists worked on her eyes, and within a year and a half, they corrected her vision. Thankfully, no surgery was needed.
My daughter became the spitting image of her mother, Emily. I was happy. I had two beautiful girls in the family – my wife and daughter.
Almost a year post-adoption, Amelia couldn’t seem to eat enough. She constantly held a packet of cookies, even while sleeping. This insatiable hunger came from fear. Emily found it vexing, I found it astounding.
I tried my utmost to unite the family, but, regrettably… My wife never grew to love her daughter. Emily loved only herself, her ego. Our arguments and disputes always had the same root – Amelia.
-Why did you bring this wild child into our home? She’ll never be normal! – Emily ranted.
I loved Emily dearly. I couldn’t imagine life without her, though my mother had once remarked:
-Son, it’s up to you, but I saw Emily with another man. She’s not sincere. A cunning woman who’ll wrap you around her finger.
When you’re in love, you don’t see obstacles. Your happiness shines brighter than the stars. Emily was my ideal. The crack in our relationship emerged when Amelia arrived.
Perhaps it was Amelia who opened my eyes to the true nature of things. I was amazed by my wife’s indifference towards the little girl.
I even wanted to stop loving Emily, to grow cold, but I couldn’t. A friend once advised:
-Listen, mate, if you want to stop loving a woman, take her measurements with a sewing tape. It’s a folk saying.
-Are you kidding? – I was puzzled.
-Measure her bust, waist, and hips. That’s it, you’ll fall out of love, – I thought my friend was joking.
Still, I decided to try the experiment. What did I have to lose?
-Emily, let me take your measurements, – I called to my wife.
Emily was intrigued:
-Should I expect a new dress?
-Yep, – I replied as I carefully measured her bust, waist, and hips.
When I finished, I still loved her just the same. I laughed about my friend’s teasing.
Soon, Amelia caught a cold and had a fever. She followed Emily around with her doll, Molly, in her arms. I was relieved that Amelia carried Molly instead of biscuits.
Amelia loved changing her doll’s clothes non-stop. But the doll was unclothed now, meaning her owner was too ill to dress her. Emily snapped at Amelia:
-Be quiet, will you? You’re such a bother! Go to bed!
Amelia clutched her doll and continued to whimper. Suddenly, Emily grabbed Molly from Amelia’s arms, rushed to the window, and threw the doll out.
-Mommy, that’s my favorite doll Molly! She’ll freeze outside! Can I go get her? – Amelia cried out, running to the door.
I raced to retrieve the doll. Naturally, the lift was out, so I sprinted down from our eighth-floor flat. The doll was dangling, head-down from a branch. I rescued her, brushed off the snowflakes, which looked like tears on the doll’s face. Climbing back up, I felt like I was aging with every step.
Emily’s actions defied understanding. I found Amelia kneeling by her bed. Her head lay on the pillow. Amelia was asleep, yet occasionally she sobbed and shivered. I gently laid her on the bed, placing the doll beside her.
Emily sat in the living room, casually reading a glossy magazine, utterly unconcerned about Amelia. That was the moment my love for her dried up, vanished. I finally realized Emily was just a beautiful, empty shell.
Emily must have understood everything.
We divorced. Amelia stayed with me, and Emily didn’t object.
…Later, when I saw my ex-wife, she smirked:
-You were just a stepping stone for me, Jordan.
-Oh, Emily! Your eyes are turquoise, but your soul is tar, – I finally articulated my reproach.
Emily remarried quickly to a successful businessman.
-I pity her husband. That woman was never meant to be a mother, – my mother concluded.
Amelia initially missed Emily and just wanted to touch her.
But my new wife, Lisa, melted her heart and won Amelia over with immense love and patience, including our son, Charlie…
