My stepfather adopted me and took care of me after my mother died when I was 10. After 8 uneasy years together, I was finally ready to pay him back. As I was packing my bags to leave for college, my stepfather came into the room with tears in his eyes. “HERE’S A LETTER YOUR MOTHER ASKED ME TO GIVE YOU ON YOUR 18TH BIRTHDAY,” he said, his voice trembling.
Nancy lost her mother when she was 10. Being very young, that loss made her world collapse. She felt as life failed her.
However, during those times of grief and sorrow, she knew she wasn’t alone. She had her stepdad by her side; the man who entered her life a couple of years ago and became her rock and her greatest support.
Stephen was an extraordinary man, and although she was still just a child, Nancy was aware of his sacrifice. She was thankful he was part of her life and raised her as though she was his own child.
When she turned 18, Stephen gave her a gift and an envelope. He explained that it contained a letter from her late mother who wanted him to give it to Nancy on her 18th birthday.
With anticipation, she opened the envelope and found a letter inside. As she was about to start reading it, her hands started shaking. No matter what it said, it contained her mother’s words, and that was special all by itself.
Once she went through the first lines, she read an apology. Confused, she continued reading it and that’s when she learned the truth about Stephen.
He wasn’t her stepdad, but her biological father.
Nancy’s mom explained in that letter that when Stephen learned she was expecting a child, he got scared and left her. She hadn’t heard from him during the seven years of her daughter’s life and thought she would never see him again. But then, out of the blue, he called her. He was filled with regret and begged her to let her be part of Nancy’s life.
Nancy already knew that her father abandoned her pregnant mother and she was angry at him. Not wanting her to despise Stephen, her mom decided to introduce him to Nancy as her new partner. They started living together and Nancy always believed that he was her mom’s husband. He did like her as though she was his biological child, but Nancy never suspected anything until that moment.
As she finished reading the letter, Nancy trembled while Stephen was looking at her with teary eyes. He feared Nancy’s next move. Would she embrace the truth or would she be mad at Stephen.
Nancy stood up from the chair and looked straight at Stephen’s eyes. She then took a big suitcase, placed it in front of him, and said, “Put some of your clothes inside, we are going on a long trip together.” Stephen felt relieved and the two hugged.
Although she felt like her biological father failed her, learning that he was Stephen, the man who supported her and loved her unconditionally, she was able to let go of the feelings of bitterness she once felt.
