Jane never liked celebrating her birthday. But today, as she turned twenty-eight, she finally decided to mark the occasion with her colleagues at the office.
Hard teenage years and the sting of poverty were memories that refused to fade. For her parents, who were constantly drunk, their daughter's birthday had always been nothing more than another excuse to hit the bottle.
Jane looked at her reflection in the mirror. She didn't consider herself a beauty; the glass showed a woman of modest height with an ordinary face and a heavy, sorrowful smile.
"Happy birthday to me," Jane whispered to herself. "I hope you stop being so lonely. I hope you become the kind of person the world looks at in a special way."
After a while, she gathered her things to head to work. She stepped out onto the street, but as she turned the corner, she bumped into a sobbing boy, about four years old.
"Hey there, why are you crying?" Jane asked, kneeling beside him.
"It's my grandma... she's..." The child burst into tears again. Jane picked him up and followed as he pointed the way.
In a cluttered, neglected apartment, an elderly woman lay on the floor.
Jane immediately pulled out her phone and called 911. She leaned over the woman, who was still conscious but breathing with great difficulty.
"The ambulance is on its way, don't worry. You're going to be just fine, I'm sure of it," she said. Jane pulled the little boy into a tight hug. "Don't worry, honey, everything will be okay. Hey, we haven't properly met. I'm Jane. What's your name?"
"I'm Sam."
"Well, Sam, the paramedics will be here soon. They'll look after your grandma and try to make her better. In the meantime, let's go talk to the neighbors."
Jane stepped out and knocked on the door next door.
"Good morning. Could you please call the local precinct?" she asked when a tall, slender woman opened the door. "The lady across the hall collapsed. I've already called for an ambulance."
"Mrs. Gable? Oh my goodness! I'll call Officer Miller right away."
The police officer arrived shortly after the ambulance. As the paramedics were preparing to transport the woman, the officer, David, turned to Jane.
"Jane, would you be able to take the boy in while his grandmother is in the hospital? I'll stop by later this evening so we can discuss the details. Please..."
"I... I suppose so, but I really have to get to work. I'm already late, and I don't want a write-up from my boss."
"I'll speak to your manager and let them know you'll be out for a bit. Please, I really need your help here."
Feeling a bit overwhelmed, Jane arrived home with Sam. She fed him a warm lunch and gave him a bath. Exhausted, the child began to nod off, and Jane quickly tucked him into bed. Sam fell asleep almost instantly. She sat by his side, watching him. Today hadn't just been unusual; it had taken a turn she never could have predicted.
While the boy slept, she washed and ironed his clothes, then prepared a nice dinner and waited for him to wake up.
The doorbell rang, giving Jane a small start. She went to open it and found Officer David Miller on her doorstep. He was carrying a bouquet of flowers and a cake, along with a bag of Sam's belongings.
"Jane, please forgive me for the way your day started," David began. "I brought some of Sam's things and his paperwork. But first, allow me to wish you a happy birthday." He handed her the beautiful flowers and the cake.
Jane felt a flush of shyness, but she was deeply touched. She accepted the gifts and invited David inside. They checked on Sam, who was still fast asleep. Jane decided they could have some tea while the boy rested and led David into the kitchen.
"I've made dinner. Are you hungry?"
"Oh, Jane, don't worry about me—actually, I'd love some. I'm starving!" They ate together, talking about a thousand different things as if they had known each other a lifetime.
"How did you know it was my birthday?"
"I did a little digging. I had to know exactly who I was trusting with a small child, didn't I? By the way, your boss thinks the world of you. He said you're one of his most dedicated and responsible employees."
"Really? I thought he didn't even know I worked there," Jane laughed. "So, what's the plan for Sam?"
"It's complicated. We suspect the woman isn't his biological grandmother—more likely a nanny. A man used to visit every month to drop off money and groceries. We haven't been able to identify him yet, and the neighbors are in the dark. I only took over this precinct three weeks ago, so I'm still learning the faces. But I give you my word, I'll figure it out."
Sam woke up then, and the three of them spent a wonderful evening together. From that day on, David began visiting Jane more often. She was genuinely happy every time he came over to spend time with her and Sam.
They spent every evening together—going for walks, acting for all the world like a real family.
They visited Sam's grandmother in the hospital, but her health never improved. She stopped recognizing Sam entirely, and a few months later, she passed away.
Jane began to panic.
"David, does this mean they're going to take Sam away forever? I don't want that. I've grown so attached to him. I can't imagine life without him now. I love him, and he loves me."
"Jane, honey, don't worry. We'll find a way. I promise, everything will work out."
"You promise?"
"I do. In fact, I want to marry you and adopt Sam. He'll be our son. Will you marry me?"
"David! Oh my god," Jane gasped, a wide smile breaking across her face. "You want me to be your wife?"
"I do. I've loved you from the moment I saw you. I've wanted to tell you for so long, but I was afraid of being rejected."
"David, darling, I'll be the best wife I can be. I love you too!"
That evening, David didn't go home. He stayed the night at Jane's, and for the first time in her life, she woke up next to someone who truly loved, valued, and protected her. David was still sleeping, and as she watched him, she could hardly believe she had finally found her happiness. Of course, she had been in love before, but to wake up in the arms of a man who genuinely cherished her—that was entirely new.
Jane was so happy she feared it might be a dream that would vanish as soon as she blinked. She slipped quietly out of bed, checked on Sam, and went to the kitchen to start breakfast.
A short while later, there was a knock at the door. Jane opened it to find a young woman looking at her with pure judgment.
"So, this is what you look like," the woman said, skipping any greeting. "Well, I see. I'm not going to wait long. Tell David to come out."
"I'm sorry, who are you?"
"I'm Katie, his fiancée."
Jane was stunned. She couldn't process what was happening. Was the happiness she had just found crumbling in a single moment? Suddenly, David appeared behind her.
"What are you doing here?"
"I came for you. I can't live without you, David. Just understand that. My father finally agreed to the wedding."
"We discussed this, Katie. It's over. I don't want to be with you."
"No, it's not over. I'll be waiting in the car. Come down."
Katie left, and David sat down next to Jane.
"Jane, sweetheart, let me explain. Please listen to me. I dated Katie for three years, and her parents were dead set against us. We had to hide for a long time, and eventually, I couldn't take it anymore. Her parents found another man for her, and I moved away to get some space. That's when I met you. You're nothing like her—you're kind, you're real. I love you, Jane. I truly, honestly love you. Do you hear me? I'm happy with you."
Jane stood up abruptly, her back to him. "Please leave," she whispered. "Your fiancée is waiting. Just go, and don't come back."
It was only Sam who helped Jane crawl out of her deep depression. She spent all her time with him, taking him to the park and the zoo. But at night, once the child was asleep, she would break down and sob into the pillow where David used to sleep.
A few weeks later, Jane was sitting on a bench across from the courtyard, watching Sam play on the slides. A tall, handsome man around thirty-five approached her.
"Excuse me, I imagine you know everyone around here. Could you tell me where I might find a Jane Maxwell?"
"That's me," Jane said, looking at him with surprise. "Who are you, if you don't mind me asking?"
"I..." The man hesitated for a second. "I'm Mark Evans. I'm Sam's father."
Jane started to stand up but her legs felt weak, and she sat back down.
"How... how can you be Sam's father?"
"I'll explain everything, but please, may I see my son first? I have all the documents right here—his birth certificate, everything. When I had to leave, I left Sam with his nanny, but I kept the papers with me."
A dazed Jane called Sam over. Mark couldn't hold back his emotions; he pulled the boy into his arms, kissing him and hugging him tight. Then he handed Sam a bag full of toys.
"These are for you, buddy."
"Thank you!" Sam cheered, running back to his friends to show off the gifts. Jane sat there, trying to make sense of it all.
"Jane," Mark said, sitting beside her. "I don't know how to thank you for what you've done for my son. You see, when I met his mother, I was already married. I came from a modest background, but my wife's family was very wealthy. Our marriage was... an arrangement of sorts. We didn't make the decisions; her parents did. Even so, we were together for seven years. But my wife, Elena, couldn't get pregnant. Or maybe she just didn't want to. She was always very self-centered. And I desperately wanted a son."
"Then I met a lovely waitress at a cafe. I fell for her, and I started seeing her. Imagine my joy when she told me she was pregnant. I'd been married for seven years with no luck, and then, just like that, I was going to be a father. It was both wonderful and terrifying."
"Why terrifying?" Jane asked.
"You don't know the business world. Everything is interconnected. The slightest bit of scandal can ruin a reputation and destroy everything you've worked for. Plenty of men have affairs or even secret families, but it's hidden away. If it gets out, your career is over. Partners won't work with you; deals get canceled. I was afraid of that. So, I asked Sarah to move to another city, where she gave birth to Sam. But shortly after, Sarah passed away. They never gave a clear reason why."
"She was an orphan; she had no family to look for her. It was just me. I listed myself as the father on the birth certificate and took Sam to my old nanny. I supported them financially, brought them whatever they needed. A couple of months ago, I finally divorced my wife, and now I can take my son with me."
"But what about your job? Your partners?"
"I'm moving abroad for good. I'm going to live in Europe; I've already moved my assets. I came for my son, and I'm taking him with me. Now, tell me, Jane—what can I do to thank you for everything you've done?"
"I don't need anything, Mark. Just make him happy."
"Jane, please... don't cry. You know, I've had a thought. There's nothing keeping you here, is there? Come with us. I'll show you the world. I'll make sure you have everything you could ever need."
"I... I don't know. That's a lot to take in."
"Jane, please. Say yes."
She agreed.
A week passed. Sam was living with his father, and Jane spent most of her time with them. Mark proved to be a wonderful man and a devoted father. Jane stopped doubting her decision.
On the day of their departure, she cleaned her apartment and did a final walkthrough. Nervous, she sat in an armchair, waiting for Mark and Sam to pick her up. She saw a car pull up through the window. She went to the door, but as she opened it, she ran right into David.
"What are you doing here?"
"Jane, I can't do this without you. I want to be with you."
"I'm leaving, David. I'm sorry."
"What? For how long?"
"I'm leaving for good. Sam's father showed up, and we're flying out today. I'm sorry, but I have to go—I can't miss my flight. Good luck, David. Goodbye."
"Jane..."
"I wish you the best."
Jane said her final goodbye and left. David stood there watching her go. Then, he suddenly bolted. He jumped into his car and sped toward the airport, desperate to catch her before it was too late. But he didn't make it in time.
The plane had already departed. David stood in the terminal, realizing he might never get her back.
"Jane, I love you," he whispered to the empty air.
"Turn around, David. I'm right here."
He turned and saw Jane standing there, smiling at him with eyes full of love.
"I love you too, David! I only want to be with you."
0 comments