Nina Parker vividly remembers the day she had to decide the fate of another woman’s child. It was a Wednesday, and her husband came home from work earlier than usual, his face as dark as a storm cloud. Without a word, Victor handed her an envelope…
«What’s happened?»
«Vera’s gone. Without my consent, they cant send Danny to a children’s home.»
Nina had known about her husband’s son long before their wedding. A common enough storyVictor had fallen in love during his military service. After discharge, he brought the girl back with him, and they rented a small flat. But the romance didnt last. Soon enough, she packed her bags and returned home. Months later, a telegram arrived: *Congratulations, you have a son.* What went wrong between them, Victor never explained, and Nina never pressed. What was the point in digging up the past?
When Nina was four months pregnant, the ex unexpectedly showed up with one-year-old Danny in tow. She made a scene, demanding to rekindle things. Victor sent her out the door and stayed with her.
Nina didnt blame himhow could she hold a grudge over something that happened before they met? Vera filed for child support, and Victor paid dutifully. After that, she vanishedno calls, no letters. Years later, they learned shed married twice, and after the second divorce, she took her own life.
By then, Nina and Victor had two children of their ownJohnny, just a little younger than Danny, and little Ellie, whod only just turned one. Theyd decided on a second child after buying their own homea modest cottage with four rooms, no modern comforts, but a garden, a shed, and space to breathe. After years in a cramped rented flat, it felt like heaven. Johnny had spent days running around the house, delirious with excitement.
Raising someone elses child? That wasnt something Nina had ever expected. Shed last seen the boy seven years ago and knew nothing about him now. What was he like? What had he been through? It terrified her. Johnny was already a handfulhow would she manage two boys so close in age? Would they even get along? Victor worked long hoursthe children would be entirely her responsibility. These thoughts flashed through her mind in seconds. Victor sat silent in the hallway, his face ashen.
Ninas heart clenched. She imagined herself in his shoeswhat if it were Johnny facing an orphans fate? The answer came instantly:
«Victor, of course well take him. Hes your sonour childrens brother. How could we live with ourselves if we refused? Two kids or three, well manage. Well raise him right.»
A month later, Danny arrived. He was quiet, shy, obedientnothing like bold, rowdy Johnny. Maybe that difference saved themthe sudden older brother didnt try to dominate, happy to follow Johnnys lead. And little Ellie, sweet and cheerful, charmed everyone, smoothing over any tension.
That autumn, Danny started school. He did wellhis mother must have prepared him. Money was tight, but Victor worked tirelessly, and later Nina took a job too. The children grew, helping more around the house. They never treated Danny as anything but family.
When Daniel got into university, Nina fell seriously ill. Hospital stays, surgeryit was terrifying, but she refused to despair. She had to recover for her children, who still needed her. She wanted to see them grown, happy, to hold her grandchildren one day. Victor, though, crumbledhe turned to drink.
At eighteen, Daniel became the familys rock. He switched to part-time studies, found work, and visited the hospital nearly every dayreading to Nina, asking how to cook Johnny and Ellies favourite meals, bringing her samples. He hid the worst from her: that Johnny had fallen in with the wrong crowd and faced charges. Thankfully, he avoided prisonjust probation.
Nina recovered. Her marriage with Victor never recoveredshe couldnt forgive his weakness when she needed him most. Still, the house was big enoughthey lived like polite strangers. Victor tried to quit drinking, but the relapses kept coming.
Then last year, Daniel brought home his fiancéea girl hed loved since nursery school. A psychologist in training, she set to work helping her father-in-law fight his demons. Life moved on. And soon, grandchildren would fill the housethe newlyweds had just learned they were expecting twins.
Every day, Nina thanks God for her eldest son, certain shes alive only because she once opened her heart to a child who wasnt hers.
