Lady Adopts Orphan Boy, 5 Years Later He Finds Out She is Responsible for His Parents’ Deaths – Story of the Day

A sudden tragedy brings Sarah and Eric together, after which Sarah has to embrace the role of Eric's mother. When Eric finds out Sarah is the reason behind his parents' deaths, will he forgive her?

Sarah drove through the relentless snowfall, the wipers rhythmically beating against the windshield. Suddenly, a movement amid the snow caught her eyes.

It was a couple, bundled against the cold, standing beside a stranded car on the desolate road.

Sarah's heart went out to them.

"Hey, do you need any help?" she asked, rolling down her window as she pulled over beside the pair.

The man, his cheeks flushed from the biting wind, forced a smile. "Yes, our car won't budge. Could you possibly give us a ride to the nearest hotel?"

Sarah readily agreed. The woman took her baby son from the backseat. Then, the couple, Michael and Laura, along with their child, got into Sarah's car.

While Sarah drove, the couple shared their life story with her — how they'd run away from home at 16 because their families didn't approve of their relationship, how they'd had to work two jobs at one point to keep themselves afloat, and how their family was complete after they welcomed their miracle baby, Eric.

"Sadly, our families haven't met Eric," Michael continued disappointedly. "We long for their acceptance, hoping they'll see the joy he brings."

"Our love and our son are our world," Laura added.

Sarah affectionately listened to the couple narrating their story as she turned to an even more remote stretch of road. "Be careful. This part of the road can be treacherous in winter," Michael warned her.

Sarah nodded, her eyes fixed on the road. But with the weather turning worse, the visibility was reduced. When none of them expected it, the car hit a patch of ice. Sarah tried to gain control of the wheel, but it was too late.

They skidded off the road, crashing into a tree with a sickening crunch. The impact, harsh and jarring, rendered her unconscious.

A dull throbbing pain shot through her head as Sarah opened her eyes.

"Where... where am I?" she croaked, her voice weak.

A kind-faced nurse leaned into her view. "You're in the hospital, honey. Don't worry, you'll be okay."

Relief washed over Sarah, followed by a pang of anxiety. "What about the family? The ones in the car with me?"

The nurse's smile faltered. "Honey, there were complications. I'm so sorry, but the husband and wife didn't make it."

Sarah's heart sank. Images of their faces, their stories, and their little boy filled her mind.

"And... the boy?" she asked worriedly. "Where is he?"

"He's in surgery right now," the nurse said gently. "The doctors are doing everything they can."

Sarah's heart ached for the child. Later, a police officer entered the room. He explained how she lost control on the icy road. He assured her that no charges would be pressed, but his words gave her little comfort in the face of the tragedy.

Sarah visited the boy's room. He lay pale in the sterile bed, hooked up to machines. The doctor at his bedside gave a grave update — No family had been found, leaving the child's future uncertain.

"So he'll be put up for adoption," the doctor explained to her.

It was then something inside Sarah shifted. She couldn't let that happen. She couldn't leave this little child to his fate. "I will adopt him," she declared. And Sarah did that. The process was lengthy and exhausting, but she promised herself she would always be there for Eric.

Five years later…

Sarah and Eric were having breakfast when a knock startled them.

Sarah opened the door to an elderly lady with tear-filled eyes.

"I'm Martha," she said. "Does Eric live here?"

At that moment, Eric came to the door to see who had visited them.

Martha's eyes widened. "You have his eyes," she whispered. "Oh, you look like him!" The next moment, she was hugging Eric and sobbing.

"I'm your grandmother, sweetheart," she added, pulling away from the boy. "We finally meet."

Laura's heart pounded. She welcomed Martha inside, knowing that nothing in her and Eric's lives would be the same now.

"After my son ran away, I searched for him forever." Martha pulled out a worn photo of her son as Eric went to his room. "Then, on Facebook, I saw Eric. It was like seeing my son again."

"He's the only family I have left," Martha pleaded. "Please let me take him with me."

Sarah's heart ached. "He's my son, Martha," she said gently. "But you're welcome in his life."

Martha's eyes flashed with a rage. "He belongs with his family!" she snapped.

"His home is here, Martha," Sarah said defensively. "I had promised myself I would give him the best life. I can't break that promise!"

Their voices rose, their emotions raw. Finally, Sarah said, "It's best if you leave now."

Martha's face hardened. "I'll find a way to have him with me," she declared, slamming the door behind her.

Sarah stood alone, her heart heavy. She knew she had to fight for Eric, the boy who had filled her life with laughter. She walked to his room.

Eric looked up, his eyes filled with concern. "Why was Grandma sad?" he asked.

Sarah knelt beside him. "Sometimes, grown-ups have big feelings, but no matter what, I'm here for you."

Eric smiled, comforted by her words. Little did Sarah know her troubles were far from over.

The next day, Sarah was at work when the office door creaked open, distracting her. Her face went pale when she saw it was Martha who entered.

"I know everything about the accident," Martha declared, her voice steely. "You caused my son's death. I went to the police, girl! I know everything!"

Sarah's stomach lurched. "Look, it-it was an accident, Martha," she replied, guilt gnawing at her. "I did nothing on purpose. I didn't kill your son!"

But Martha didn't want to listen to her. She was fuming, and despite Sarah's pleas, she threatened her that she wouldn't hesitate to reveal the truth to Eric.

"You have one day to hand over Eric to me, or I'll tell him everything, Sarah!" Martha warned her before storming out of the office.

Left alone, Sarah sank into her chair, the weight of the ultimatum crushing her. Could she lose Eric? Could she expose him to the painful truth? The answer was no. Sarah knew that.

That evening, Sarah entered the house with her mind filled with worries. Eric was already home, but his smile disappeared when he saw her face.

"We're moving to a new city," Sarah announced.

"I don't want to go!" Eric cried. "My friends are here, my school…everything!"

"I know, honey, but it's for the best," Sarah said gently.

The next morning, Sarah woke Eric up and they left for the new city. Sarah rented a house there, and while unpacking, she found a letter addressed to Eric. She didn't want him to see it, but he snatched it from her hands.

The letter was from Martha. It revealed that Sarah was the one who caused the accident that killed his parents.

Eric read the letter with tears in his eyes and then ran away. Sarah ran after him, but he disappeared from her sight at one point, and she couldn't find him.

Worried, she rushed to the police station. She approached an officer and explained everything that happened. "Please, you have to find him!" she cried.

The officer asked for Eric's details and told her they would try their best. Sarah's heart was sinking. In a rage, she found herself calling Martha.

"Eric's missing, and he ran away because of your letter, Martha!" she cried. "He's gone!"

"Where are you?" Martha demanded, her voice laced with anger and fear.

"Springdale," Sarah replied. "The police are looking for him."

Martha insisted on coming, and soon she arrived. Sarah and Martha decided to look for Eric together. They split the city, searching every park, playground, and street. "Have you seen this boy?" they asked, showing a picture of Eric.

As the hours passed, their hope dwindled. Sarah and Martha met again, their faces grim. They had failed to find Eric.

At Sarah's home, they sat in the kitchen, waiting for news about Eric. Sarah's heart raced, wondering where her little boy was.

"How could you take him? After what you did," Martha said coldly, breaking the silence between them.

Sarah snapped to the present. "What did I do?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"You killed my son and his wife," Martha replied, tears forming in her eyes. "Eric has no parents because of you!"

"It was an accident, Martha!" Sarah raised her voice, tears streaming down her face. "I live with that guilt every day!"

"Your guilt won't bring my son back!" Martha snapped.

"But we have Eric!" Sarah said firmly. "And we need to find him!"

"If you hadn't..." Martha began, but Sarah cut her off.

"I know where he might be," she said, an idea flashing at the back of her mind. She grabbed her car keys and rushed out of the door. Martha followed close behind.

Sarah drove to the cemetery — the only place they hadn't checked until now. She reasoned Eric could've gone there in search of his late parents' graves. He was just five, and he didn't know they were laid to rest in the old town.

Sarah and Martha arrived at the cemetery and spotted the boy. But when Eric saw them, he began running. They chased after him, their hearts pounding in their chests.

The chase led them to a bridge that arched over a calm river. Eric's foot hit a slick patch on the bridge, and suddenly, he was slipping, his arms flailing as he tried to regain his balance, but it was too late. With a silent scream, he fell over the edge and into the water below.

Martha gasped, her hand flying to her mouth, her eyes wide with shock. "Call for help!" she cried. But Sarah didn't hear anything. Without a second thought, she climbed over the railing and leaped into the cold embrace of the river.

The water was shockingly cold, seizing her breath, but Sarah pushed through it, her eyes desperately searching for Eric. She spotted him, his small body limp in the water, and with all the strength she could muster, she swam towards him.

Reaching him, she wrapped an arm around his chest, lifting his head above water. He was unresponsive, but she couldn't give up. With a powerful backstroke, she began to go to the shore, pulling Eric with her.

Martha watched everything from the bridge, then pulled out her phone with trembling fingers, dialed for help, and ran to the riverbank to meet them.

Sarah's muscles were aching, her lungs screaming for air, but the shore was within reach. Finally, with one last surge of effort, she dragged herself and Eric onto the riverbank. They lay there, gasping for breath.

"Stay right here," Sarah whispered gently, kissing his forehead before she rose. Her clothes were drenched, clinging to her skin, but she ignored the discomfort, rushing to her car.

She rummaged through the back seat of her car until she found the emergency blanket she always kept there.

"I should have told you the truth myself," she said, wrapping the blanket around Eric. "You deserved to hear it from me."

Martha approached them. "I lied in the letter," she confessed. "It really was an accident, my child. Sarah is your mother in every way that counts. And she loves you with everything she's got. I saw that today. I just...wanted you to be with me. I'm sorry, Eric."

Eric looked at Sarah, then at Martha, and he knew he had been wrong to doubt Sarah's love. He hugged her tightly, and they both knew they would always be there for one another. Always.

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