by While adoption is one of the most rewarding things you can do, it comes with a unique set of challenges. It’s not always about just welcoming a child—children often have to fight for their place within their new family.
Meet Sarah and Matthew Miller
Sarah and Matthew Miller lived in Charlotte, North Carolina with their kids, eight-year-old Ella and 10-year-old Henry. Both in their early forties, Sarah and Matthew had been happily married for 15 years.
Nothing was more important to the Millers than family and they often hosted big gatherings of the extended family, with plenty of food, music, and laughter. Despite the Millers’ happiness, they often felt like something was missing.
Something Missing
The Millers had so much privilege and so much love to give. Sarah and Matthew thought about trying for another baby, but they thought about all the children already out there, just waiting for a family to welcome them.
They knew it was going to be challenging, but they decided that adopting a child was the right choice for their family—a way to share their love and create a home for a child who needed it most. They didn’t realize that this decision would uncover hidden truths and stir conflicts that would change their family forever.
Adopting Jake
After months of paperwork, visits from social workers, training, home studies, and more, the Millers were finally matched with a child. Six-year-old Jake had been in foster care since he was an infant. He was a bright, curious young boy with plenty of spirit.
As soon as Sarah and Matthew met him, they knew he was meant to be a part of their family. Ella and Henry also quickly bonded with their new brother and after a few supervised visits, the Millers were finally allowed to bring Jake home. In all the excitement, they couldn’t imagine the pain that was waiting just around the corner.
Settling In
It didn’t take long before Jake began settling in. This period was known as “placement” and at the end of six months supervised by a caseworker, the court would legally finalize the adoption and the Millers would gain full parental rights.
They were determined to make Jake feel like a member of the family from the get-go. Ella and Henry eagerly showed Jake around the house, proudly introducing him to his new room and their favorite family traditions. Sarah and Matthew knew it was going to be a long road until Jake felt fully at home, but they were prepared for the journey. Or they thought they were.
The Introductions
After Jake had been living with the Millers for around two months and was feeling more comfortable, they decided it was time for him to meet the extended family. They invited everyone over for a barbecue with games for the kids.
Both Sarah and Matthew’s families were anxious to meet the new addition and the Millers had offered some advice as to how to make him feel welcome and comfortable. They were sure the introductions would go well. No one could have foreseen one person’s reaction in particular.
Gladys’ Reaction
Sarah’s mother-in-law Gladys stayed quiet for the first round of introductions, sitting quietly with her husband Arthur, who never spoke much at family events. However, once Jake was off playing with the cousins, Sarah and Matthew headed over to greet her.
“Hi Mom, what do you think of your new grandkid?” Matthew said brightly. Gladys looked over at the kids and eyed Jake with contempt. “Not blood, not family,” she sneered under her breath. Sarah blinked at her, shocked. She didn’t know this was just the beginning.
Matthew’s Reassurance
After everyone had gone home and they had tucked the kids into bed, Sarah and Matthew sat together on the couch reflecting on the day. “It was great to see him getting along with the other kids, but I still can’t get over what your mom said,” Sarah said uneasily.
Matthew squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry, love, Mom’s just a bit old-fashioned about things like that. Once she sees what an awesome kid he is, she’ll come around, I promise,” he said reassuringly. Sarah hoped that he was right. However, as the weeks went by, Sarah noticed that Gladys was treating Jake quite differently from the way she treated Ella and Henry.
Gladys’ Treatment
Anytime the family was together, Gladys would barely acknowledge Jake, preferring instead to dote on Ella and Henry, lavishing them with attention and affection. Whenever Jake tried to join in or share something, Gladys would subtly dismiss him or ignore his attempts, making it clear she didn’t view him as one of her own.
Matthew tried talking to his mother about it and she insisted they were making a big deal out of nothing. “I’m perfectly nice to him—you’re just being sensitive,” she insisted. However, Sarah wouldn’t be able to ignore her gut feeling that something wasn’t right for much longer.
Gladys Babysits
One day, both Sarah and Jake needed to work late and their usual babysitter wasn’t available. Reluctantly, Sarah asked Gladys if she could pick the kids up from school and look after them for a few hours. “Of course, it would be a treat to spend some time with my precious grandbabies,” she agreed happily.
Sarah hoped Gladys was referring to all three of her grandchildren, but she couldn’t help but feel anxious about Jake. These early months were critical for his adjustment and she didn’t want Gladys doing anything to make him feel like an outsider. But that night when Gladys dropped the children off, Jake ran straight into his room.
Jake Comes Home
Sarah looked after him worriedly and then thanked Gladys for taking care of the kids. “Oh it’s no trouble, they were perfect angels as usual. At least two of them were,” she added under her breath.
Sarah looked at her suspiciously. “Was everything okay with, Jake?” she asked. “Oh yes, fine, fine, but there are some things you can’t change. Genetics and all that,” she said darkly. Sarah felt her heart start to pound. Just what had Gladys said to Jake?
Sad and Scared
After Gladys left, Sarah headed to Jake’s room. Jake sat on his bed, hugging his knees tightly, his face downcast. Sarah sat beside him, gently touching his shoulder. “Jake, sweetie, what’s going on?” she asked softly. He didn’t look at her, his voice barely a whisper. “Grandma kept talking about my blood—that it’s different to Ella and Henry’s.”
He paused, biting his lip as though unsure how to say more. “She doesn’t like me,” he whispered. Sarah swallowed hard, her chest tightening. “Jake, you are exactly where you’re supposed to be. You’re part of this family, okay?” she said. Jake just nodded silently, his small body trembling.
Things Get Worse
Even though Sarah asked Matthew to speak to Gladys about her actions again, the next time the family all got together, nothing had changed. As soon as Jake was out of earshot, she started up with her “Not blood, not family” nonsense. Arthur sat quietly next to her, looking down, while Sarah and Matthew begged Gladys to keep her voice down.
It seemed as though there was nothing they could say to make her accept Jake. The rest of the family awkwardly shifted in their seats, exchanging uncomfortable glances, but no one said a word, as though they were too used to Gladys’ old-fashioned opinions to take it seriously. What more could Sarah do?
Moody and Withdrawn
Despite trying to shield Jake from Gladys’ rejection, Sarah and Matthew couldn’t protect him completely. Jake was a perceptive kid and he could tell that his new grandma treated him differently from his siblings.
Although Sarah constantly reassured him that he was part of the family, Jake had become moody and withdrawn, a far cry from the energetic boy who’d joined their family. It was heartbreaking to see and Sarah was furious with Gladys. She couldn’t help but think that this was all her fault. That night, Sarah lay away in bed, her mind whirring.
Sarah’s Fears
They were only four months into Jake’s placement and the case supervisor was due to visit any day. She would be sure to notice the change in Jake’s behavior. What if he was taken away from them?
The thought of having her son ripped from her was unbearable and the situation was still precarious. Sarah thought about Gladys’ cruel words and she felt furious. How dare she jeopardize their family like that? She needed to do something drastic to put Gladys in her place, but what?
Thanksgiving Approaches
Thanksgiving was drawing nearer, and the Millers were busy preparing for the upcoming family gathering at Matthew’s sister’s house. The kids spent an afternoon making paper turkeys and crafting colorful decorations for the holiday. Jake joined in, his initial hesitation melting away as Ella and Henry showed him how to fold the paper and add feathers.
His mood seemed lighter, and Sarah couldn’t help but feel a glimmer of hope. But even as Jake laughed along with the others, Sarah still felt a nagging sense of unease. Every now and then, she’d catch him looking distant, as though something was still weighing on him—something she couldn’t yet fix. As the holiday approached, Sarah couldn’t help but worry about what it would be like for Jake with Gladys around.
Feeling Worried
She knew the tension between them hadn’t gone unnoticed, and she feared that her mother-in-law’s coldness would resurface. Sarah had tried to shield Jake from Gladys, but she wasn’t sure how much longer she could protect him, especially with the entire family together.
What if Gladys said something in front of everyone? Would Jake feel even more isolated? The thought of Thanksgiving turning into another painful reminder of his outsider status made Sarah’s stomach churn. She realized it was time to take action.
Making a Plan
Sarah decided there and then that it was time to tackle Gladys’ prejudice once and for all. Jake was here to stay and the sooner Gladys accepted that, the better. Sarah racked her brains and hit upon an idea, a ruse that might finally make her mother-in-law understand.
She rummaged through her jewelry box until she found what she was looking for. She decided not to tell Matthew what she was planning to do—he might try and talk her out of it. Now all she had to do was wait ’til the time was right.
At the Table
Thanksgiving day arrived and the Millers headed over to Matthew’s sister’s. After lots of excited greetings and busy bustling around the table, they were finally all seated and Arthur was carving the turkey.
Before they ate, they went around the table and each said something they were grateful for, as was the custom in the family. Sarah’s heart was pounding and she was clutching something tightly in her hand. Soon it was her turn to speak. What she said next would unleash a storm of emotions that none of them were prepared for.
Presenting the Ring
Sarah took a deep breath. “This year I am so grateful that we have welcomed Jake into our family,” Sarah began. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box. “And to mark this special day, I’d like to give him something that’s been passed down through generations of our family,” she continued.
She opened the box to reveal a vintage signet ring. “This heirloom has been reserved for blood relatives for the past 200 years but I’m giving it to Jake, to let him know just how much he belongs,” she said, smiling at her son. The ring was actually from an antique market, but no one else knew that.
Gladys’ Outburst
Gladys paled, her voice faltering. “But he’s not your own!” she screeched, shattering the silence. Jake’s tentative smile disappeared and he looked down, his cheeks turning bright red and tears starting to slide down his cheeks.
“Family’s about more than blood, Gladys,” Sarah said coldly. But Gladys couldn’t be stopped. Gladys jabbed a finger toward Jake, her face twisting with disdain. “He’ll never truly belong, no matter how much you pretend. Bloodlines matter, Sarah! You can’t just bring someone in and rewrite history!” she hissed. Sarah screwed her face up in pain at her mother-in-law’s cruel words.
Blaming Matthew
Gladys turned to Matthew, her voice rising. “How could you allow this? This boy isn’t one of us, and everyone here knows it! You’re setting your own children up for disappointment by playing this game!”
“That’s enough, Mom,” Matthew roared as Sarah enveloped Jake in a big hug, knowing it was too late, the damage was already done. Her plan had backfired—the ring which she had imbued with a kind of mystical significance had just made everything 10 times worse. Was it too late to fix things?
Everyone Arguing
The room erupted in chaos. Matthew’s voice clashed with Gladys’s as they hurled accusations back and forth. Sarah’s sister-in-law tried to intervene, her words drowned out by the growing din. One of the cousins mumbled something about keeping the peace, only for Gladys to shoot back a scathing reply.
The kids sat frozen, eyes wide, unsure where to look. Jake buried his face in Sarah’s shoulder, trembling. The turkey lay forgotten on the table, the gravy congealing sadly in its jug. Only Arthur sat quietly, his jaw getting tighter and tighter.
Arthur Stands Up
For the first time that afternoon, Arthur rose from his chair and the room fell silent. The quiet man who rarely spoke now commanded the room. “That’s enough, Gladys. You’ve gone too far,” he said quietly.
The guests froze, their eyes darting between the couple. “You talk about blood as if it’s all that matters, but you forget what you’ve hidden. Maybe it’s time they all know the truth,” he went on. Gladys stared at him, her face pale. “Arthur, don’t,” she whispered, her voice trembling. What Arthur said next sent a chill through the room, leaving everyone holding their breath.
Revealing the Truth
“The truth is Gladys and I are no strangers to adoption. We had a son we gave up for adoption—William. It was before we got married, we were poor and we didn’t know if we could take care of him. Luckily, when Matthew came along, we knew had enough to provide for him,” he said. Gladys had her head in her hands.
“And the thought of our William being treated the way Gladys has been treating Jake, on account of her guilt, I’m sure, is unthinkable,” he went on gravely. Matthew was staring at his dad, his mouth hanging open.
Turning to Jake
Then Arthur turned his attention to Jake, who had raised his head from Sarah’s shoulder and was blinking. “Jake, you’ve heard a lot of talk tonight about blood and family. You’re only young but I can tell you’re a sharp little guy. I want you to know that you are a member of this family, just as much as the rest of us,” Arthur said kindly.
“Families are built on love, not on bloodlines. And love? That’s something you’ve got in spades here. Don’t let anyone make you feel otherwise, ever. You’re brave, you’re special, and you belong here—always. We’re lucky to have you, Jake. Never forget that,” he continued.
In Shock
Slowly, slowly the room began to thaw and small conversations began around the table. However, the family was still in shock. The revelation about William had stunned every single person and they were processing what they had heard.
Arthur quietly resumed carving the turkey, and plates were passed around with subdued murmurs. Matthew tried to lighten the mood by asking Ella and Henry about the school play, and their chatter filled the awkward gaps. Jake stayed close to Sarah, nibbling at his food. There was a feeling in the air that nothing was ever going to be the same again.
Starting to Heal
In the weeks that followed, the family finally began to heal. Sarah now realized that her mother-in-law’s bad behavior wasn’t rooted in malice, but in fear and guilt over the son she had given up. Accepting Jake had forced Gladys to confront emotions she had buried for decades, ones she hadn’t been ready to process.
Sarah and Matthew tried to explain this to Jake in a way he could understand. They told him that sometimes grown-ups make mistakes and say hurtful things when they’re scared or sad. Slowly, Jake seemed to grasp that Gladys’ actions weren’t his fault.
Tracking Him Down
After the Thanksgiving revelations, Sarah and Matthew decided to help Arthur and Gladys track down William. Gladys was hesitant at first, torn between hope and fear, but Arthur encouraged her to take the chance. They contacted adoption agencies, scoured records, and even sought the help of a private investigator.
Two months later, Sarah and Matthew finalized Jake’s adoption. Standing before the judge, their hearts swelled as the legal process affirmed what they had always known—Jake was truly their son. The experience deepened their bond as a family, giving them hope that one day, William might reunite with his parents and join their growing circle.
Looking to the Future
When Sarah and Matthew adopted their son, Jake, they thought their biggest challenge would be helping him settle into their family. They couldn’t have predicted Matthew’s mom’s hostile reaction. It wasn’t until Sarah presented Jake with a family heirloom that things came to a head, revealing a secret long buried.
We’re glad that now that everything is out in the open the Millers can move forward as a stronger, more united family. We wish Jake every happiness in his forever home and hope the search for William brings closure and healing for everyone involved.
