When my wife and I went to the orphanage to adopt a child, we never expected to meet a little girl who looked exactly like our daughter.
But the most shocking thing was yet to come — a truth that was impossible to imagine.
‘Emily, are you ready? Mum will look after Sophia, so we have the whole day ahead of us.’
I tied my shoelaces while my wife came down the stairs.
She looked nervous as she smoothed invisible creases in her blouse.
‘I think so, David,’ she said quietly, her voice sounding uncertain.
‘It’s just… I hope we’re making the right choice. What if the child doesn’t feel a connection with us?’
I walked over and took her hands.
‘We’ve been talking about this for months. You’ve read all the books. We’re as ready as we can be. Besides, no child can resist your pancakes.’
Emily smiled, her cheeks turning pink.
‘Thank you for believing in me.’
My five-year-old daughter from my first marriage, Sophia, peeked out from the living room.
‘Can I have pancakes tomorrow, Mummy?’
Emily’s face softened.
‘Of course, darling.’
She smiled, but a shadow of sadness flashed in her eyes.
I knew she loved Sophia like her own, but I also understood that she wanted to hear the word ‘mummy’ from the very beginning.
As we drove to the orphanage, the air in the car was thick with tension.
Emily stared out the window, twirling her wedding ring.
‘Are you okay?’ I asked.
‘I’m scared,’ she admitted. ‘What if we don’t find a child who is… ours?’
I squeezed her hand.
‘We’ll find it. You always say love will find a way.’
When we arrived, we were warmly welcomed by the director of the shelter.
Mrs. Graham was an elderly woman with silver hair and kind eyes.
‘Welcome. I’m so glad you’re here.’
Emily nodded with a reserved smile.
‘Thank you, Mrs. Graham. We’re excited and… a little nervous.’
‘That’s normal,’ Mrs. Graham assured us. ‘Let’s talk a little in my office first.’
In her cosy office, surrounded by photos of happy families, we described the kind of child we were looking for.
‘We’re open to any child,’ I said. ‘We just want to feel a connection.’
Mrs Graham nodded.
‘I understand. Let me show you the playroom. Children are all so different, and I think you’ll know when you find the right one.’
The playroom was filled with laughter.
Children were running, drawing, playing.
Emily’s face lit up when she saw a boy building a tower out of blocks.
‘Hello!’ she said, sitting down next to him. ‘What a tall tower! What’s your name?’
The boy smiled.
‘Eli. Don’t knock it down!’
‘I wouldn’t dream of it,’ Emily laughed.
I walked over to a girl who was drawing with chalk on a blackboard.
‘What are you drawing?’
‘A unicorn,’ she replied confidently. ‘You’re big. Are you a dad?’
‘Yes,’ I smiled. ‘Do you like dads?’
‘They’re okay,’ the girl shrugged.
Emily caught my eye.
I knew she felt the same way — how could I choose just one child?
And then I felt a light touch on my shoulder.
Turning around, I saw a little girl of about five with curious eyes.
‘Are you my new daddy?’ she asked softly but confidently.
My heart stopped.
She looked exactly like Sofia — the same honey-blonde hair, round cheeks, dimples when she smiled.
‘Um… I…’ My voice caught in my throat.
The girl tilted her head, studying me.
Then she reached out her hand.
And then I saw it—a small crescent-shaped birthmark on her wrist.
My heart pounded.
Sophia had the same one, in the same place.
‘Emily,’ I whispered.
My wife stood nearby, holding onto the table, her face pale.
” Look at her wrist.”
Emily came closer, her eyes widening.
‘David… She…’
The girl smiled shyly.
‘Do you like puzzles?’ she asked, holding a piece in her hand.
‘I’m good at them.’
I knelt down.
‘What’s your name?’ I managed to say.
‘Angel,’ she replied cheerfully.
‘They say it suits me here.’
Angel.
My chest tightened.
That name…
Four years ago, my ex-wife Lisa came to my house.
‘David, I need to tell you something,’ she said nervously.
“When we divorced, I was pregnant.
We had a baby girl… your daughter.
I couldn’t raise her. Will you take her?”
That’s how Sophia came into my life.
But… twins?
Lisa never mentioned twins.
I dialled her number.
‘David?’ Lisa’s voice was tense.
‘What’s wrong?’
“Lisa. I’m at the orphanage.
There’s a girl here who looks exactly like Sophia.
She’s her sister. Did you know that?”
There was a silence.
Then I heard a heavy sigh.
‘Yes,’ she admitted, barely audibly.
“I gave birth to twins. I was terrified, I had no money.
I left one behind because I couldn’t cope with two.”
‘You hid my daughter from me?’
‘I was afraid. Afraid you would hate me.’
I closed my eyes, trying to calm down.
‘Lisa, I’m taking her home.’
Pause. Then a quiet voice:
‘Please… Take care of her. She deserves better.’
I went back to the playroom.
Emily was holding Angel’s hand.
‘She’s ours,’ I said firmly.
Emily nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks.
‘I already knew.’
Angel looked at us and beamed.
‘So you’re my mum and dad?’
I took her hand.
‘Yes, Angel. That’s right.’
A week later, the adoption process was complete.
When we brought her home, Sophia rushed to the door.
‘Daddy, who’s that?’
‘Sophia, this is Angel. Your sister. Your twin.’
Sophia’s mouth fell open.
‘Are we the same?’
She ran over and hugged her sister.
From that day on, the girls were inseparable.
Five years later, our house is filled with laughter.
Emily hugged me.
‘We did it.’
byu
‘No,’ I whispered.
‘They did.’
Love found a way.
