A man who lost his family chooses to adopt a little boy that no one wants because he has Down syndrome. Years later, a lawyer contacts him with surprising news.
David walked back and forth in the hospital waiting room. His brother Jack said, “Calm down, Dave! You’d think no one ever had a baby before!”
David smiled. “I know,” he replied. “I’m just really nervous! I’ve always wanted to be a dad!”
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Jack smiled and patted his brother on the back. “Get ready to be a dad, my man!” Just then, the doctor walked in and went straight to David. The look on his face made all the laughter stop, and David knew something was wrong.
The doctor said it was one of those rare accidents that had cost Rita and their baby their lives. David listened calmly and nodded in the right places.
He didn’t even cry, but when he tried to walk, his knees gave out. A crying Jack had to help his brother and carry him home like a child.
Days later, after Rita and their baby were buried, and everyone seemed ready to forget, David woke up in a quiet house. He reached out to Rita’s side of the bed. Empty.
Parents often make heartbreaking decisions for their children’s welfare.
He got up and walked down the hall to the nursery and turned on the nightlight that shone soft stars on the ceiling. He and Rita had filled that room with both hope and sadness. Now it was all gone.
David sat in the rocking chair Rita insisted they needed and cried. His heart and home were empty, and his dreams were lost. He wanted to tear that nursery apart to escape that emptiness.
Suddenly, a thought came to him. “You can’t fill a hole with anger, only with love.” Who said that? David wondered. He had heard it somewhere before. Maybe that idea could save him.
David contacted social services to ask about adopting or fostering a child. At first, the social worker hesitated. “We don’t usually give children to single parents,” she said. “But it’s becoming more common.”
“I have a good life,” David said. “I have so much love to give a child. My wife and I dreamed of being parents, and I want to make that dream come true.”
The social worker picked up a file with colorful stickers. “Would you consider a child with special needs?” she asked.
David shrugged. “All children are special. They all have needs,” he said softly. “We never know what life might bring. I want to help the child who needs me.”
David had to go through many interviews and attend parenting workshops, but soon, the big day arrived. They told him he had a son.
“We have a little boy who has been in three different foster families,” the social worker said. “His name is Sam, and he is two years old. He has Down syndrome…”
“Where is he?” David asked.
“Sam has some health issues you should know about,” the social worker replied.
“I’ll take him to the doctor,” David said. “Whatever he needs, he will get.”
When David met Sam, it was love at first sight. Sam was the cutest little boy he had ever seen!
At first, Sam was shy, but when he felt David’s love and care, he slowly opened up. David couldn’t understand how anyone could not want such a sweet child!
It took Sam a little longer to reach his milestones, and the doctor said they needed to watch his heart, but in almost every way, he was perfect!
The best part of David’s day was when he picked Sam up from daycare, and his little boy ran to him with open arms. David would lift Sam high and tickle his belly, and his heart was filled with joy.
“Rita,” he’d whisper to his late wife as he watched Sam sleep. “I made our dream come true. I filled the hole you and our baby left in my life with love.”
The years passed, and Sam grew just like any other child. The doctor said his heart was doing well. He was a happy boy who made friends with everyone he met. No one could resist Sam and his big smile!
The phone rang constantly with invites for sleepovers and playdates, and David could hardly keep up with Sam’s busy social life!
When Sam turned twelve, he wanted to hang out with friends on his own like the big boy he was. It was hard for David, but like every parent, he learned to give his son space.
One day, he got a phone call from a lawyer. “Mr. Wallace,” the man said. “I’m calling about your adoptive son’s birth parent…”
“What do you want?” David asked sharply.
“I would like to talk to you…” the lawyer replied.
“I’m not interested,” David said. “Those people abandoned my son. There’s nothing you could say that I want to hear.”
“Please, Mr. Wallace,” the lawyer said. “For Sam’s sake.”
Reluctantly, David agreed to meet the lawyer. When he arrived, the man handed David a letter. “This will explain everything much better than I can, Mr. Wallace,” he said.
David opened the envelope and began reading: “Dear Mr. Wallace, if you are reading this, I am finally at peace with my wife. Thank you for loving my dear Sam and taking care of him.
“Before Sam was born, the doctors told us he had Down syndrome, but it didn’t matter to us. We welcomed him with joy. We thought we would have many happy years as a family, but it was not to be.
“When Sam was three months old, he had some tests at the hospital. My wife, Emily, and I went to pick him up, and we were hit by a truck.
“Emily died instantly, and I survived but became paralyzed. For twelve years, I felt like a dead man who still breathed and cried.
“I was not the father Sam deserved. I wanted better for him, so I placed him for adoption. I was right, Mr. Wallace, because you took my boy in and have been the best father.
“One day, I hope you can tell Sam that his birth parents loved him and wanted him. I never want him to think we abandoned him.
“Please, tell him! My lawyer will give you the papers for Sam’s trust fund, which will be in your care. Thank you again, Mr. Wallace, for loving my Sam and for being the father I should have been.”
The lawyer gave David access to Sam’s trust fund, which was worth $1.2 million. David promised to use the money to secure his son’s future, just as his biological father wished.
David thought about the families who had turned away from Sam. Would they have rejected him if they had known about the money? Sam’s biological father was right to hide the fortune so that his son could be loved for who he truly was.
My Fiancée Wore a Black Dress to Our Wedding – When I Found Out Her Reason, My Life Was Never the Same
Standing at the altar, Nathan eagerly waited for his fiancée, Jane, to walk down the aisle in the stunning white gown they had picked out together. But he was horrified when she appeared in a long black dress and revealed why she didn’t wear her wedding gown.
My wedding day was supposed to be one of the best days of my life, but what happened that day left a painful scar on my mind. I never thought things would turn out to be this way.
A man on his wedding day | Source: Midjourney
I met Jane through a mutual friend, and after a few dates, we became inseparable. She was the bubbly extrovert, always surrounded by friends, while I was the quiet, introverted type who avoided crowds.
But with her, things were different.
I always wanted to be around her because she made me feel loved in ways I never knew existed. She appreciated my company and never once made me think I was not worthy of her love.
A couple standing together | Source: Pexels
A few months into our relationship, I proposed. I was sure Jane was the one, and she said yes without hesitation, beaming at the ring I had picked out.
“I can’t believe you said yes,” I told her one day. “I don’t know how I got so lucky, Jane.”
Honestly, I didn’t think I deserved someone as amazing as her.
A couple sitting together | Source: Pexels
Our relationship got even stronger as days turned into weeks, and soon, we decided to tie the knot.
Our families met, and everything went smoothly. We planned a small ceremony for the summer, where we would exchange vows surrounded by our closest family and friends.
It all seemed perfect, but fate had other plans.
A couple holding hands | Source: Midjourney
On our wedding day, I wore a tailored black suit and stood at the altar, eagerly waiting for Jane to walk down the aisle. I expected to see her in the beautiful white gown we’d chosen together just weeks before.
But she didn’t.
Instead, she appeared in a long black dress with a matching veil. The kind of outfit you’d expect at a funeral.
Why was she doing this? I thought. What was wrong with her?
A woman wearing a black dress on her wedding | Source: Midjourney
I could see her eyes burning with rage as she walked towards me. Meanwhile, the guests stared at her with eyes wide open.
Once she reached the altar, I gently took her hands and whispered, “Why are you wearing black? What’s going on?”
“I’ll tell you after the ceremony,” she said, looking straight into my eyes. No expressions, just a blank face looking at me like I had committed the biggest sin of all time.
“Wait!” I announced while holding up my hand.
A man looking straight ahead | Source: Midjourney
The church went dead silent.
“Tell me. Tell me why you’re wearing black. Now,” I demanded, unaware that her next words would shatter my world.
“It’s all because of your mother,” Jane revealed. “She told me everything.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
That’s when I saw Jane’s eyes fill up with tears.
An upset woman on her wedding day | Source: Midjourney
“She told me about you and Lauren,” Jane began as her voice trembled. “Your best friend.”
“What? What did my mom say about Lauren?” I asked while squinting my eyes. I had no clue what Jane was talking about.
“She said you’ve been cheating on me with Lauren,” Jane announced, and a collective gasp rippled through the guests. “She said you two were having an affair and that you planned to leave me for her. That’s why I’m wearing black. To mourn the love we once had
, Nathan.”
Close-up of a black dress | Source: Pexels
I couldn’t believe what Jane just said.
“This is not true, Jane,” I pleaded. “I swear I never cheated on you. Lauren and I are just friends. I don’t know why my mom would say that.”
I scanned the crowd, desperate to spot my mother, but she was nowhere to be seen. I wanted to confront her, to prove she was lying.
“I don’t believe you,” Jane said firmly. “I know you’re lying because that’s what you’ve always done.”
A woman talking to her fiancé | Source: Midjourney
“Jane, please,” I begged, reaching for her hand, but she pulled away. “Mom never liked you. She’s trying to sabotage us. Please, you have to trust me.”
“Oh, I see. But it’s not just about the affair, Nathan,” Jane shook her head. “I know your secret. I know you’ve been lying to me.”
“What secret?” I asked.
Jane looked around the church before locking eyes with me.
A woman looking at the wedding guests | Source: Midjourney
“You lied about your family’s finances,” she spat. “You hid that your family is bankrupt, and you’re marrying me to use my money to save your business. Isn’t that true?”
Oh, no, I thought.
What Jane said was somewhat true, but I never wanted to reveal my secret like this. Yes, indeed, my family business wasn’t going well, and we were almost bankrupt. And yes, I thought marrying Jane would help, but I wasn’t marrying her for the money!
A man standing at the altar, thinking | Source: Midjourney
I loved her, and that was the main reason I decided to tie the knot with her. I had no idea how to explain this to her.
“Listen, Jane,” I said. “Let me explain, I—”
“Explain what?” she cut me off. “That your mother pressured you to find a wealthy woman to save the family business? She told me everything. I just can’t believe I was so dumb to fall in love with a man like you!”
An upset woman looking straight ahead | Source: Midjourney
At that point, I wanted to say so much. I wanted to explain that I wasn’t lying, but somehow, I couldn’t speak a word. I couldn’t say anything.
“It’s over, Nathan,” Jane declared before storming out of the church.
As she walked away, the guests whispered among themselves. Meanwhile, my friends rushed over, but I couldn’t let her go like that. I had to make her understand.
A worried man standing at the altar | Source: Midjourney
“Jane, wait!” I shouted, running after her. “Please, just listen to me.”
“I don’t want to listen to your lies, Nathan,” she said without even turning around.
I walked and stood in front of her, blocking her path.
“I swear I’m not lying to you,” I protested. “I don’t know why Mom said all this to you, but I think that’s because she doesn’t like you. I never told you this but Mom wasn’t really happy with our relationship.”
“And why should I believe you, Nathan?”
Before I could answer, Lauren walked out of the church.
A woman in a pink dress | Source: Pexels
“Jane, listen,” she said. “I don’t know what your mother-in-law told you, but there’s nothing going on between us. Nathan is just a friend, and he loves you a lot. Trust me.”
Jane looked at Lauren, and then me. She wasn’t sure if she could trust us.
“Look, if I wanted to marry you for your money, I would’ve never signed the prenup,” I said, holding Jane’s hands. “I signed it because I wanted to protect your money and your future. I wouldn’t have done that if I had my eyes on your money.”
A man signing a document | Source: Pexels
“But why did you hide your family’s financial situation?” she asked. “What if you’re hiding more? Why should I trust you?”
I slowly shook my head and took a deep breath.
“You’re right, Jane. I should’ve told you about my family’s situation, but I was scared you’d leave me.” I paused, realizing I needed to tell her the rest. “There’s something else I’ve never told you.”
A man talking to his fiancée | Source: Midjourney
Jane folded her arms as she waited for me to speak.
“My mom hates me,” I confessed. “She always has. Years ago, I took a DNA test when I was in college. I found out that my father wasn’t my biological father. When I confronted her, everything fell apart. Dad left us, taking all the money with him.”
An upset woman | Source: Midjourney
“That’s why she lied to you,” I continued. “She wanted to ruin my wedding because she can’t stand seeing me happy. I guess she just pretended to accept you and was waiting for the right moment to ruin my relationship. I’m sorry for keeping all this from you. I was embarrassed.”
At that point, I could see that Jane wasn’t angry anymore. She had this look of sympathy on her face like she felt really bad for me.
A woman looking straight ahead | Source: Midjourney
“You didn’t tell me because you were embarrassed? She asked. “We were supposed to build a new life together, Nathan. But you were hiding so much from me. Do you think I can trust you after all this?”
I hate to admit this, but I knew Jane was right. I should’ve told her everything from the beginning.
“I’m sorry, Jane,” I said, looking down. “I know I’ve made mistakes, but I love you.”
A man apologizing to his fiancée | Source: Midjourney
“I’m sorry too, Nathan,” she looked away, wiping tears from her cheek. “I guess this is how it ends. This is how we part ways. I can’t live with someone who keeps secrets.”
And with that, the love of my life, the woman I adored the most, walked away from me.
Tears streamed down my cheeks as I watched her get into her car and drive away from the church. I couldn’t stop her because I knew she was right.
A car driving on a street | Source: Pexels
My life has never been the same since that day. While I confronted my mother and cut all ties with her, I also tried to call Jane a million times, but she never answered any of my calls.
I lost the love of my life because of lies, betrayal, and secrets I never should have kept.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
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