WE ADOPTED A 4-YEAR-OLD GIRL — JUST A MONTH LATER, MY WIFE DEMANDED, “WE SHOULD GIVE HER BACK.” My wife, Claire, and I tried for years to have a baby. When that failed, she suggested adoption. It felt right. After months of waiting, we met Sophie — a bright-eyed 4-year-old who had been in foster care since infancy. From day one, she clung to us, calling us Mommy and Daddy before it was even official. And then, one month after bringing her home, I walked in from work, and Sophie barreled into me, wrapping her little arms around my legs. Her voice trembled. “I don’t wanna leave.” Confused, I knelt down. “Leave where, sweetheart?” Her lips trembled, and tears welled in her eyes. “I don’t wanna go away again. I wanna stay with you and Mommy.” A cold chill ran through me. “That won’t happen,” I assured her, stroking her hair. But then, Claire stepped into the hallway, her face pale, her expression unreadable. “We need to talk.” I sent Sophie to her room, promising her everything was fine. She nodded, sniffling, and went, but I could feel her little heart racing against mine. The moment her door closed, Claire turned to me, her jaw tight. “We need to give her back.” I blinked, sure I had misheard. “What?” When she told me her reason, I took a step back. See less