I didn’t want to ruin your wedding day, Michael. However, did you know that your new spouse is a parent? As I sat paralyzed in the driver’s seat, my colleague dropped the bombshell.
By that, what do you mean? Such news was not acceptable to me. My wife murmured in my ear, “Do you think the groom knows his bride has a daughter in a care home?” after noticing your Emily at the wedding.
– You can imagine, Michael, I nearly choked on my salad. My wife told me she personally handled the paperwork when the newborn girl was given up. My Sarah is a nurse at the maternity ward. She remembers your Emily because of the birthmark on her neck. Emily named her daughter Olivia and gave her her last name. I think it was Williams. This was about five years ago, – my colleague watched eagerly for my reaction.
I sat stunned behind the wheel. What a revelation! I decided I had to clarify things myself. I couldn’t believe it. I was well aware that Emily wasn’t an 18-year-old innocent; she was 32 when we got married. Of course, she had a life before me. But why give up your own child? How could one live with that?
Thanks to my job, I quickly found the care home where Olivia Williams was staying. The director introduced me to a cheerful little girl with a radiant smile:
– Meet our Olivia Williams, – the director said to her, – how old are you, sweetheart? Tell this gentleman.
It was impossible not to notice her severe strabismus. My heart went out to the little girl. She already felt like family to me; after all, this kid was the daughter of the woman I loved! My grandmother would always say:
– A child, whether clumsy or not, is a miracle to their parents.
Olivia bravely stepped closer:
– I’m four. Are you my dad?
I was taken aback. What do you say to a child who sees a dad in every man?
– Olivia, let’s have a chat. Do you hope to have a mom and dad? – It was a foolish question, of course. But I already wanted to hug this sweet girl and bring her home instantly.
– I do! Will you take me with you? – Olivia looked directly into my eyes, inquisitively, and thoughtfully.
– I will, but a bit later. Will you wait, sweetheart? – I struggled to hold back tears.
– I’ll wait. You won’t lie? – Olivia became serious.
– I won’t lie, – I promised, kissing her cheek.
Back home, I told everything to Emily.
– Emily, it doesn’t matter to me what came before me, but we need to bring Olivia home. I’ll adopt her.
– Have you asked if I want this girl? And she’s cross-eyed too! – Emily raised her voice.
– She’s your daughter! I’ll arrange for her eye surgery. Everything will be fine. She’s adorable! You’ll love her instantly, – I was astounded by Emily’s attitude.
I barely persuaded Emily to adopt Olivia.
We had to wait almost a year before we could bring her home. I frequently visited Olivia at the care home. Over the year, we developed a strong bond and got used to each other. Emily still had no desire for children and even wanted to stop the adoption process halfway through. I insisted we proceed and complete it.
Finally, the day arrived when Olivia stepped into our home for the first time. The little things we take for granted amazed, delighted, and thrilled her. Soon, ophthalmologists corrected her eye issues. It took a year and a half of procedures, but thankfully, no surgery was needed.
Olivia became the spitting image of her mother, Emily. I was overjoyed. I had two beauties in my life: my wife and my daughter.
Almost a year after leaving the care home, Olivia couldn’t seem to eat enough. She always carried a biscuit packet with her. We couldn’t pry it away. The child had an enduring fear of hunger. It annoyed Emily but puzzled me.
I tried to bring the family together, but, alas… Emily never managed to love her daughter. She only cared for herself and her own whims. Emily grew frustrated, and we had painful arguments, always revolving around Olivia.
– Why did you bring this wild child into our home? She’ll never be normal! – Emily would scream.
I loved Emily deeply; I couldn’t imagine my life without her. Yet, as my mom once remarked:
– Son, it’s your life, of course, but I’ve seen Emily with another man. She’s insincere, cunning, and sly. If you’re not careful, she’ll have you wrapped around her finger.
When you’re in love, you see no barriers. Your bliss shines brighter than the stars. Emily had been my ideal. But the cracks began to show when Olivia came into our lives.
Perhaps it was Olivia who opened my eyes to the reality of my family life. I was shocked by Emily’s lack of care for the child.
I even wanted to fall out of love with Emily, to grow distant, but I couldn’t. A friend had once advised:
– Listen, if you want to grow cold towards a woman or girl, measure her with a tape measure. It’s an old saying.
– You’re joking, right? – I doubted.
– Measure her bust, waist, hips. That’s it; you’ll fall out of love, – I thought my friend was teasing me.
Nevertheless, I decided to try this simple experiment. I had nothing to lose.
– Emily, come over here; let me take your measurements, – I called to her.
Emily looked puzzled:
– Can I hope for a new dress?
– Yep, – I busied myself measuring her bust, waist, and hips.
Experiment over. I loved Emily just the same. I laughed at my friend’s mockery.
Soon, Olivia fell sick, caught a cold, and ran a fever. She was whiny, pitifully moaning, sniffling. She shadowed Emily, clutching her doll, Molly. I was glad to see her holding Molly instead of biscuits.
She adored dressing the doll over and over. But now, Molly was bare, a sign that her little owner was too unwell to dress her. Emily snapped at Olivia:
– Just hush. I can’t get a moment’s peace from you! Go to bed!
Olivia clutched Molly and continued to whimper softly. Then Emily snatched the doll from Olivia, rushed to the window, and angrily tossed it out.
– Mum, that’s my favorite doll, Molly! She’ll freeze outside! Can I go fetch her? – Olivia sobbed and dashed to the door.
I rushed after the thrown doll. The lift was out of order, of course. I raced down from the eighth floor. The doll was stuck, hanging by its head on a tree branch. I retrieved it, brushed off the snow. The melting snowflakes on the doll’s rubber face looked like tears. I thought I might go gray while climbing back up.
Emily’s behavior was inexplicable. I entered Olivia’s room. She was kneeling by her bed, head resting on the pillow. Olivia was asleep, softly sobbing, and trembling. Gently, I placed her properly in bed and laid Molly by her side.
Emily sat calmly in the living room, flipping through a glossy magazine, unbothered about Olivia. That was the moment my love for Emily vanished. It dried up, melted away. I finally saw that Emily was just a beautiful but empty shell.
My wife must have understood.
We divorced. Olivia stayed with me; Emily didn’t protest at all.
… Later, when I met my former wife, she smirked and said:
– You were just a stepping stone for me, Michael.
– Oh, Emily! Your eyes are turquoise, but your soul is dark as soot, – I was finally able to express my disappointment.
Emily quickly remarried a wealthy businessman.
– I pity her husband. A woman like her shouldn’t be a mother, – declared my mother.
Olivia missed her mum desperately, longing for even the slightest touch.
But my new wife, Lisa, won Olivia’s heart. She turned out to be the caring parent Olivia needed. It seemed incredible to me that her biological mum had abandoned her twice.
Lisa, with endless love and patience, cherishes both Olivia and our son, Steve.