We took in a three-year-old boy, but my wife panicked during his first bath and said, “We have to give him back!”
The longing for a child was so strong it consumed every part of Oliver and Emily’s hearts, pushing them to do anything to make it happen.
After countless failed attempts to conceive and endless money spent on treatments and IVF, they accepted they wouldn’t have a child naturally.
So, they chose adoption. Easier said than done.
Because Oliver was swamped running his firm, Emily handled everything—contacting agencies, filling out forms, and reviewing lists of children needing a home.
While sorting through files, a three-year-old boy caught her eye.
At first, they wanted a baby, but chances were slim, so they opened their hearts to a toddler instead.
The boy Emily chose had the bluest eyes she’d ever seen—like a summer sky. Staring at his photo, she felt an instant connection, as if she’d known him forever.
After talking it over with Oliver, they brought little Henry home.
He was the sweetest lad. Better still, he settled in quickly, even calling Emily “Mum” within weeks.
Everything fit perfectly.
Emily’s deepest wish—to be a mother—had come true. She’d never been happier. Life felt right, and she was grateful fate had turned in their favour.
Then one evening, everything changed.
Henry was due for a bath, and Oliver offered to do it. Emily was thrilled, seeing it as a chance for father and son to bond.
But as Oliver helped Henry undress and step into the tub, he suddenly blurted, “We have to send him back!”
Emily froze. “What on earth are you saying?”
Oliver looked deadly serious. He said the whole thing was too much—he couldn’t handle this new life.
Emily was stunned. This wasn’t like him. Something didn’t add up.
She barely slept that night. Then she remembered—Henry had a birthmark on his foot. Oliver had one in the exact same spot. She checked again. The marks were nearly identical.
The next morning, she confronted Oliver. He admitted the truth—he thought Henry might be his biological son. Seeing the birthmark had shaken him.
Years ago, Oliver had a fling with a woman he’d met at a pub. Just a one-time thing, he swore, but he’d betrayed Emily when she was at her most vulnerable, struggling through gruelling IVF.
Though Oliver regretted it, Emily couldn’t forgive him. Trust was broken. She couldn’t stay.
Oliver didn’t leave Henry’s life entirely, but their relationship was limited to occasional visits and birthday cards.
Emily knew she’d made the right choice for herself and Henry. The moment Oliver was willing to abandon his own son to hide his past—that sealed it.
