A 37-year-old man shared his heartbreak after realizing his marriage may be falling apart over a decision he believed came from love. He has raised his stepson since the boy was just one year old, forming a deep father-son bond. Infertile due to past illness, becoming a dad to this child gave his life purpose. The boy’s biological father disappeared before birth, and for years the man has been the only father figure—emotionally, physically, and financially. Wanting to make their bond official, he asked his wife if he could legally adopt her son, fully expecting gratitude and happiness.

Instead, his wife firmly refused. She claimed adoption should be the child’s choice when he’s older, but the man later learned she may fear losing custody if they ever divorce. To him, this felt like a lack of trust and a dismissal of everything he’s done as a father. Hurt and angry, he began questioning the foundation of their marriage and even considered divorce—despite the risk of losing the child he loves most. Caught between love, loyalty, and legality, he’s torn: stay in a marriage that feels unfair, or leave and possibly lose his son forever.