We took in a 4-year-old girl — a month later, my wife said: “We have to give her back”
My wife, Elodie, and I had spent years trying to have a child. After several failed attempts, she suggested adoption. It was the best decision we could have made. After long months of waiting, we finally met Emilie, a lively 4-year-old girl who had been in foster care since early childhood. From our very first meeting, she became attached to us, calling us “mommy” and “daddy” even before it was official.
One month after she arrived at our home, I came back from work and Emilie ran towards me, clinging to my legs with her little trembling arms.
“I don’t want them to take me away.”
Surprised, I knelt down to her level. “Go where, sweetheart?”
Her lips were trembling, and tears streamed down her face. “I don’t want to be sent away. I want to stay here with you and mommy.”
A chill ran down my spine. “No one is sending you away, darling,” I reassured her, stroking her hair. That’s when Elodie appeared in the hallway, pale and tense.
“We need to talk.”
I sent Emilie to her room, promising everything would be fine. She nodded and left.
As soon as the door closed, Elodie turned to me.
“We have to give her back.”
I widened my eyes, thinking I’d misunderstood. “What?”
When she explained her reason, I took a step back… See the 1st comment 👇👇👇👇
Why my wife wanted to give our adopted daughter back after just one month
Lucas and Elodie adopt Emilie
Lucas and Elodie had welcomed Emilie, an adorable, sweet, and endearing little girl. At just 4 years old, she immediately won over her new parents with her radiant smile. From their very first meeting, Emilie had run into Lucas’s arms, as if finding her real father.
Long and exhausting procedures
It was a deeply moving moment for Lucas — he saw it as a sign: she had chosen them. After long months of waiting, paperwork, and home inspections…
“Are you really ready?”
The social worker had asked them this question: “Are you really ready?” Elodie, full of certainty, answered, “She’s our daughter.” The beginnings were wonderful for all three of them. Games, laughter, the family finally felt complete.
“I want to stay here, daddy”
But one evening, Lucas came home exhausted from a tough day. He rushed to Emilie, but she burst into tears, ran into his arms, and said, “I want to stay here, daddy.” Those words shattered him. What did she mean? That’s when Elodie appeared, her face cold. “We have to give her back,” she declared harshly.
Elodie couldn’t take it anymore
She was at her limit. Emilie was breaking things, dirtying clothes, and had even stained Elodie’s wedding dress with paint. Unable to see the child’s innocence, Elodie saw her as a threat to her balance.
For years, Lucas and Elodie had dreamed of building a family. But after several miscarriages and medical problems, they chose adoption.
“It’s her or me”
“She’s manipulative,” Elodie added. Lucas was stunned by these words. He had already grown deeply attached to Emilie and couldn’t bear the thought of losing her. “It’s her or me,” Elodie warned.
Lucas chose his daughter
In the end, Lucas made his decision: he would stay with his daughter. Even though he still loved his wife, he knew she was wrong. Elodie left, slamming the door behind her. The following days were tough. Emilie was sad, not understanding her mother’s sudden absence. Lucas did his best to comfort her, offering tenderness and care.
Elodie’s return
A few weeks later, Elodie reappeared, filled with regrets. She wanted to fix her mistakes and admitted she had panicked. Lucas listened, but the pain was still raw. “You didn’t just leave me, Elodie. You left her too,” he said.
Towards peace?
A year had passed. Emilie still flinched when someone raised their voice, like Elodie often did. She clung to Lucas’s hand every time she felt scared.
“You’ll never leave me, right?”
But she laughed a lot more now and fell asleep without crying. Calling Lucas “daddy” no longer bothered her. That evening, as he tucked her into bed, she whispered, “You’ll never leave me, right?” Lucas hugged her tightly and whispered back, “Never.”
