Eric, always busy managing his business, took a back seat in the adoption process. Ella, determined and hopeful, took it on herself. She researched agencies, filled out stacks of paperwork, and scrolled through endless profiles of children waiting for a home.
They had originally hoped for an infant, but those opportunities were rare. After much discussion, they agreed to adopt a toddler.
A little boy, no older than three, stared back at her from a photograph.
He had the most striking blue eyes—eyes like the open sky. Eyes that seemed somehow familiar. She felt an immediate connection, as if her soul had recognized his before her mind could catch up.
His name was Sam.
A Family, At Last
Ella and Eric brought Sam home.
From the very beginning, Sam was everything they’d hoped for—curious, affectionate, full of life. He fit into their home as if he’d always belonged. Within weeks, he was calling Ella “Mom.” Her heart swelled every time she heard it.
Eric, too, seemed to be adjusting well. He even offered to give Sam a bath one evening. Ella smiled, thinking that a little father-son bonding time would bring them even closer.
But what happened in that moment changed everything.
“We Have to Return Him.”
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