Simon and Claire finally have the family they dreamed of… until Claire demands they give their newly adopted daughter back. As Claire’s love turns to resentment, Simon faces an impossible choice. But for him, there’s no question. Sophie is his daughter now. And he will fight for her, no matter the cost.
The first time I saw Sophie, she ran straight into my arms.
She was small, all wide brown eyes and wild curls, and she smelled like baby shampoo and fresh grass. She clung to me like she already knew, like she had already decided I was hers.
Claire and I had fought for this moment. Years of failed pregnancies. Years of heartbreak. When we turned to adoption, the wait had felt unbearable, months of paperwork, home visits, interviews.
And now, here we were.
“You’re sure about this?” the social worker, Karen, asked.
She watched us carefully from across the table, a thick file in front of her. Sophie sat on my lap, playing with my wedding ring, humming softly to herself.
“Of course,” Claire’s voice was firm and confident. “She’s ours.”
Karen nodded, but she didn’t look too convinced. I tried not to take it too seriously because Karen was probably used to families promising these children the entire world and then failing them.
“I believe you mean that,” she said. “But adoption isn’t just about love. It’s about commitment. This is forever. You’re bringing a child into your home who’s had a hard start in her life. Sophie will test you. She’ll push boundaries and maybe even break things. It won’t be on purpose, of course, but she’s just a child. You have to be prepared for all of this.”
Claire reached across the table and squeezed my hand.
“We know,” Claire said.
Then she smiled at Sophie, who beamed back at her.
“Alright,” Karen hesitated. “Then congratulations, Claire and Simon! You’re officially parents.”
Something shifted in my heart. This was the beginning of forever.