At the agency, the employee found the documentation.
She browsed the computer for a few minutes.
Then she looked at Luke.
— Emma was adopted.
Luke stopped breathing.
– When?
— A few months ago.
— By whom?
— I cannot provide all the data without proper procedure.
Caroline immediately replied:
“I’m his adoptive mother. We want to start the contact process.”
The employee looked at them.
— This may take some time.
Luke lowered his head.
— She forgot me.
Caroline sat down next to him.
– NO.
— How do you know?
— Because people don’t forget someone who meant the world to them.
A few days later, the agency broke the news to them.
Emma’s new family agreed to their first meeting.
Luke was terrified.
He was silent the entire way.
When they parked in front of the house, he refused to get out.
– I can’t.
Caroline looked at him.
– You can.
— What if he leaves?
— You will know that you did everything you could.
Luke got out.
A woman opened the door of the house.
Behind her stood a little girl.
Emma.
Luke froze.
The girl too.
They looked at each other for a few seconds.
Finally Emma said:
— Did you really leave me?
Luke started crying.
– NO.
— You said you had a new family.
— I was afraid.
– What?
Luke took a step forward.
— That you will think that I don’t love you anymore.
Emma started crying.
— Then why did you lie to me?
Luke knelt down.
— Because I was stupid.
The girl threw herself into his arms.
Luke hugged her so tightly, as if he was afraid she would disappear at any moment.
Caroline stood a few feet away, crying.
After a moment, Emma looked at her.
— Are you his mom?
Caroline smiled through her tears.
— No.
