I met Molly in college and fell for her hard, though she never saw me as more than a friend. When her boyfriend left her and she found out she was pregnant, she was heartbroken. She didn’t want to be a single mom, so I did something crazy — I offered to marry her and raise the baby as my own. She didn’t love me, but she agreed.

We got married quietly, and I supported her through the pregnancy. When Amelia was born, I felt an instant bond. She wasn’t mine by blood, but I loved her with everything I had. For a while, we were a little family. But Molly struggled with motherhood. When Amelia turned five, Molly left us. Just packed her bags and walked out.

I raised Amelia on my own. It was hard, but she gave my life purpose. Molly never reached out, except to post pictures online of parties and vacations. Years later, she showed up at our door — with her old boyfriend, Tanner — and demanded custody. She said it was time Amelia lived with her “real family.”

We went to court. My lawyers warned me the odds were against us, but Amelia spoke up and told the judge, “He’s the only father I’ve ever known.” That sealed it. I was granted full custody. I encouraged Amelia to rebuild a relationship with her mother, but she always reminded me, “You’re the one who stayed. You’re my real dad.”