Daniel suddenly left, but ten years later he came back and demanded custody of Adam, the boy he had left behind. The shock of his return threatened to destroy the life I had worked so hard to build.
Seeing Daniel and his lawyer at the door, I stood at the front door and remembered many things. Our fast-paced relationship, Adam’s contagious laugh, and the devastating note that broke our world.
The sudden disappearance of Daniel led to a frantic battle to keep Adam safe. There were then calls from Child Protective Services, fights in court, and sleepless nights. But I kept going because I loved her and was determined.
When the court ruled in my favour, I was legally adopted, which made sure that Adam would always be a part of my life. However, Daniel’s quick return with lawyers and papers put everything at risk.
The real reason he came back slowly became clear: Adam’s grandpa had left a large inheritance, and Daniel wanted to take control of it. His acts were driven by greed, not fatherly love.
I got ready for the fight that was coming because the court case was coming up. However, Adam’s words were the most strong proof. “Sara is my mum,” he said in a steady voice. “I don’t want to live with him.”
Our bond was secured by the judge’s decision. Daniel left again, leaving Adam and me to rebuild.
Outside of court, Adam smiled, his face showing that he was happy. “I’m glad it’s over, Mom.”
“Me too,” I whispered as I hugged him tightly.
Adam’s words kept coming back to me: “My future is with you, Mom.” Our friendship, which was formed through hardship, would stand up to any test.
