We Adopted a 4-Year-Old Girl – A Month Later, She Came to Me and Said, ‘Mommy, Don’t Trust Daddy’

A month after adopting Jennifer, she looked up at me with wide eyes and whispered, “Mommy, don’t trust Daddy.” Her words echoed in my mind as I began to wonder what secrets my husband could be hiding.

I looked down at Jennifer’s small face, taking in those big, watchful eyes and the shy, uncertain smile she wore. After all those years of hoping, trying, waiting, here she was, our daughter.

A small happy girl | Source: Pexels

A small happy girl | Source: Pexels

Richard was practically glowing. He couldn’t stop looking at her, like he was trying to memorize every feature, every expression.

“Look at her, Marla,” he whispered, his voice filled with awe. “She’s just perfect.”

I gave him a soft smile, my hand resting on Jennifer’s shoulder. “She really is.”

A happy family and their daughter | Source: Pexels

A happy family and their daughter | Source: Pexels

We’d come such a long way to get here. It had been doctor’s appointments, long talks, and an endless paperwork of adoption. When we finally met Jennifer, something in me just… knew. She was only four, so little, and so quiet, but she already felt like ours.

It’s been a few weeks since we’ve officially adopted Jen, and we decided it was time for a small family outing. Richard leaned down to her level, smiling warmly. “Hey. How about we go get some ice cream? Would you like that?”

A man talking to his young daughter | Source: Freepik

A man talking to his young daughter | Source: Freepik

Jennifer looked at him, then glanced up at me, as if waiting for my reaction. She didn’t answer right away, just gave the smallest nod, pressing herself closer to my side.

Richard chuckled softly, though I could hear a hint of nervousness in it. “All right, ice cream it is. We’ll make it a special treat.”

A man playing with his daughter | Source: Freepik

A man playing with his daughter | Source: Freepik

Jennifer stayed close to me as we walked out. Richard led the way, glancing back every now and then and smiling hopefully. I watched him try to coax her out, to make her feel at ease. But each time he asked a question, Jennifer’s grip on my hand tightened a little, her gaze drifting back to me.

When we got to the ice cream shop, Richard stepped up to the counter, ready to order for her. “How about chocolate? Or maybe strawberry?” he asked, his voice bright.

A man picking out ice cream | Source: Midjourney

A man picking out ice cream | Source: Midjourney

She looked at him, then looked at me again, her voice barely a whisper. “Vanilla, please.”

Richard seemed taken aback for just a second, then smiled. “Vanilla it is.”

Jennifer seemed content to let him order, but I noticed she barely looked his way as we sat down. Instead, she ate quietly, staying close to my side. She watched Richard with a cautious sort of interest, not saying much, and I wondered if it was all just too much for her.

A serious young girl | Source: Pexels

A serious young girl | Source: Pexels

Later that evening, as I tucked Jennifer into bed, she clung to my arm a little longer than I expected.

“Mommy?” she whispered, her voice hesitant.

“Yes, sweetie?”

She looked away for a moment, then back up at me, eyes wide and serious. “Don’t trust Daddy.”

A serious girl talking to her mother | Source: Midjourney

A serious girl talking to her mother | Source: Midjourney

I froze, my heart skipping a beat. I knelt beside her, brushing her hair back. “Why would you say that, honey?”

She shrugged, but her lips turned downward in a sad little frown. “He’s talking weird. Like he is hiding something.”

It took me a moment to respond. I tried to keep my voice gentle. “Jennifer, Daddy loves you very much. He’s just trying to help you feel at home. You know that, right?”

A smiling woman talking to her daughter | Source: Midjourney

A smiling woman talking to her daughter | Source: Midjourney

She didn’t respond, just curled up a little tighter under her blankets. I stayed there, holding her hand, wondering where this was coming from. Could she just be nervous? Maybe adjusting was harder for her than I realized. But as I looked at her small, serious face, a faint unease crept in.

When I finally left her room, I found Richard waiting by the door. “How’d she do?” he asked, his face hopeful.

A serious man | Source: Pexels

A serious man | Source: Pexels

“She’s asleep,” I replied softly, watching his expression.

“That’s good.” He seemed relieved, but I noticed how his smile wavered just a little. “I know it’s all new for her. For all of us. But I think we’ll be fine. Don’t you?”

I nodded, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of Jennifer’s words echoing in my mind.

A woman deep in thought | Source: Pexels

A woman deep in thought | Source: Pexels

The next day, as I stirred the pasta on the stove, I heard Richard’s voice drift in from the living room. He was on the phone, his tone low and tense. I paused, wiping my hands on a towel, and listened as his words floated into the kitchen.

“It’s been… harder than I expected,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “She’s… sharp. Jennifer’s noticing more than I thought she would. I’m afraid she might tell Marla.”

A man talking on his phone with his back to the camera | Source: Pexels

A man talking on his phone with his back to the camera | Source: Pexels

I felt my heartbeat quicken, my mind racing to make sense of what I’d heard. Jennifer might tell me? Tell me what? I tried to shake it off, telling myself there must be an explanation. But as I listened, my pulse only pounded harder.

“It’s just… so hard to keep things under wraps,” Richard continued. “I don’t want Marla to find out… not until it’s ready.”

A serious suspicious woman | Source: Freepik

A serious suspicious woman | Source: Freepik

I froze, clutching the countertop. What wasn’t I supposed to find out? What could he possibly be keeping from me? I strained to hear, but then his voice dropped lower, and I couldn’t make out the rest of his conversation. A few moments later, he ended the call and started walking toward the kitchen.

I turned back to the stove, my mind whirling. I stirred the pasta with more force than necessary, trying to act normal as Richard stepped in, looking pleased.

A smiling man looking at his wife cooking | Source: Pexels

A smiling man looking at his wife cooking | Source: Pexels

“Smells good in here,” he said, wrapping his arms around me.

I forced a smile, my hands gripping the spoon. “Thanks. Almost done.” My voice sounded strange to my own ears, and I felt my smile falter as his words echoed in my head: I’m afraid she might tell Marla… It’s hard to keep things under wraps.

A woman cooking with a forced smile | Source: Midjourney

A woman cooking with a forced smile | Source: Midjourney

Later that evening, after we’d tucked Jennifer in, I couldn’t hold back any longer. I needed answers. I found Richard in the living room, browsing through some paperwork, and sat down across from him, hands clasped tightly in my lap.

“Richard,” I began, my voice steadier than I felt, “I overheard you on the phone earlier.”

A couple having a serious talk | Source: Pexels

A couple having a serious talk | Source: Pexels

He looked up, raising an eyebrow, a mix of surprise and… something else crossing his face. “Oh?” he said, clearly caught off guard. “What did you hear?”

I hesitated, choosing my words carefully. “I heard you say that Jennifer might… tell me something. And that it’s hard to keep things ‘under wraps.’” I met his gaze, my heart pounding. “What are you hiding from me?”

A sad serious woman hugging her knees | Source: Pexels

A sad serious woman hugging her knees | Source: Pexels

For a moment, he just stared at me, his face a mixture of confusion and worry. Then, as understanding dawned, his expression softened. He set his papers aside and leaned forward, reaching for my hand.

“Marla,” he said gently, “I’m not hiding anything bad. I promise.” His grip on my hand was warm, reassuring, but it didn’t settle the knots in my stomach.

A frustrated man | Source: Pexels

A frustrated man | Source: Pexels

“Then what is it?” I whispered, barely able to meet his eyes. “What don’t you want Jennifer to tell me?”

Richard took a deep breath, his face breaking into a sheepish smile. “I didn’t want you to find out because… well, I was planning a surprise for Jennifer’s birthday. With my brother’s help.” He squeezed my hand, looking slightly embarrassed. “I wanted it to be a big deal, a special first birthday with us.”

A serious man talking on his couch | Source: Midjourney

A serious man talking on his couch | Source: Midjourney

I blinked, not quite processing his words at first. “A surprise party?” I asked slowly, the tension in my chest easing just a bit.

He nodded. “I wanted it to be perfect for her. I thought we could show her how much we care. That she’s part of our family now.” He smiled, looking a little relieved. “I knew Jennifer might say something, and I was worried she’d ruin the surprise.”

A surprise party for a small girl | Source: Midjourney

A surprise party for a small girl | Source: Midjourney

A wave of relief washed over me, though I felt a strange pang of guilt. Here I’d been imagining… well, I didn’t even know what I’d been imagining. “Richard,” I whispered, lowering my head, “I’m so sorry. I just… I thought there was something wrong.”

He chuckled softly, brushing his thumb over my hand. “Hey, it’s okay. I get it. We’re both just trying to adjust.”

Man and woman holding hands | Source: Pexels

Man and woman holding hands | Source: Pexels

I nodded, trying to let go of the doubts that had taken hold of me. “I think Jennifer’s just… protective,” I said, trying to explain. “She doesn’t know what to expect, and when she told me not to trust you… I guess it just got to me.”

Richard gave a thoughtful nod. “She’s a sensitive kid. I think she’s still finding her way.” He looked at me, his expression earnest. “We’ll just have to make sure she feels safe and loved. All three of us.”

A happy couple talking on the couch | Source: Midjourney

A happy couple talking on the couch | Source: Midjourney

The next morning, as I watched Richard gently help Jennifer pick out her breakfast cereal, I felt my heart lift a little. He looked over at her with so much patience, and even though she barely glanced up, I could see the trust slowly building between them.

I walked over and joined them at the table, my hand resting on Jennifer’s shoulder. She looked up at me, her eyes calm, and a small smile crept across her face. It was as if she could sense the new peace between us, as if some unspoken worry had finally lifted.

A happy family playing together | Source: Pexels

A happy family playing together | Source: Pexels

Liked this story? Consider checking out this one: Chelsea and Peter were planning their dream wedding when everything suddenly fell apart. Chelsea came home one day to find her belongings packed in suitcases and Peter gone without explanation. As she tried to understand what happened, shocking secrets and betrayals came to light.

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

TERRY CREWS AND HIS STUNNING WIFE STUN FANS WITH GORGEOUS FAMILY PHOTOS

Terry Crews is a proud family man who has been married to his wife, Rebecca King-Crews, for over 30 years. They have a large family and are about to become empty nesters soon.

Recently, broadcaster Hoda Kotb shared a beautiful photo of Terry and his family on Instagram. Many of her followers commented, praising Terry and Rebecca for their lasting love and strong relationship.

Instagram

In the photo shared by Hoda Kotb, Terry Crews is seen smiling happily with his wife, Rebecca King-Crews, and their kids. They are all wearing matching maroon sweaters and jeans, looking cheerful and united. After the post went live, fans flocked to the comments section to share their admiration for the family.

One user wrote, “Perfect woman and husband,” while another commented, “What a beautiful family, so blessed.” A third person gushed, “They are a very sweet couple!! He truly loves his lady and vice versa!!” Another fan praised Terry as a role model, saying, “One of the best, if not THE BEST male role models in Hollywood.”

The photo of Terry Crews and his family was shared after Terry appeared on “Today with Hoda and Jenna” on June 10, 2024. He was joined by his wife, Rebecca, and they talked about his career success and their family life.

Terry and Rebecca have been married for 35 years, since they tied the knot in July 1989. They have four daughters—Tera, Azriel, Wynfrey, and Naomi—and their youngest, Isaiah. During the interview, Terry openly spoke about Rebecca’s selflessness, revealing that she put aside her own dreams to support their family and help them pursue theirs.

Back then, Rebecca was pursuing a career in singing and acting, but she chose to pause her dreams to support Terry and their family as they got started. Now that Terry has achieved success and their children are grown and following their own paths, Rebecca has decided to pursue her own dreams again.

Rebecca got emotional as she thought about how much the kids have grown. She shared that their son is about to leave for college, calling it “the end of an era” but expressing how proud she is of all her children. “They’re all just amazing people. Beautiful people. I’m proud of that,” said Rebecca.

She explained that giving up her career began when she had her first child. She decided to focus on being a mother instead of trying to balance a career with raising her family.

Rebecca, originally from Michigan, chose to focus on her marriage with Terry and stay at home. It was only ten years ago, when their children were older, that she started to pursue her own interests again. “So, I don’t regret it,” she said, reflecting on her decision.

In a June 2015 interview, Terry talked about their early life and praised Rebecca for teaching him how to be a good father. He shared, “I spent years being the ‘Fun Dad’ to my five children, but they always seemed to respect their mother more. It turns out they needed more than just my love.”

Terry has been embracing fatherhood since he was 20. His journey began in 1989 when he married Rebecca, who already had a two-year-old daughter, Naomi. Terry and Rebecca met when he was 18, and they quickly formed a deep bond, deciding to spend their lives together.

Now, as grandparents to Naomi’s daughter, Miley Crews, Terry and Rebecca continue to support their children in whatever paths they choose. Terry believes that true success comes from family, not just career achievements.

Terry said, “The movies and all the things I’ve done? They’re not my legacy. It’s really my son, and my daughters, and my family. That’s the legacy.”

Even though Terry and Rebecca are proud to show off their family, their journey together hasn’t always been easy. They’ve faced many challenges, but they continue to support each other and remain close.

Being in show business is challenging, and people often admire celebrity couples who manage to balance their careers and marriage. Terry and Rebecca are one of those couples. Despite the difficulties and ups and downs they’ve faced, they have worked through them together, showing that their love and commitment can overcome the obstacles.

Getty Images

Terry and Rebecca first met in the 1980s. At that time, Rebecca had just been crowned Miss Gary Indiana and was attending Western Michigan University to pursue a career in music and theater. Terry was also at the same school, playing football.

Rebecca has shared that it wasn’t love at first sight. In an interview, she explained that they started off as
friends and almost stayed that way. She said, “He almost got stuck in the friend zone. He was a little too nice.”

Getty Images

Eventually, the friendship between Terry and Rebecca turned into romance, and they began dating. By 1990, they were married, and that same year, they welcomed their first child, Azriel.

Terry and Rebecca have faced many challenges throughout their marriage. They’ve dealt with career changes, watched their children grow up, lost their home, and confronted depression.

One major difficulty that nearly tore their marriage apart was Terry’s addiction to adult content. In a May 2021 interview, Terry admitted that being a celebrity made his addiction worse. Despite these struggles, they have worked hard to overcome their problems and stay together.

Getty Images

Terry Crews, known for his role in “Everybody Hates Chris,” described how success became a refuge where he hid his problems. He said that Hollywood’s indifference only made his addiction worse. Terry struggled with his addiction in secret for a long time, which allowed it to grow more severe.

He revealed, “It became a thing where I didn’t tell anybody. It was my secret, nobody knew, and that allowed it to grow, and it got bad. If day turns into night and you are still watching, you probably got a problem, and that was me. I didn’t tell my wife, didn’t tell my friends, nobody knew.”

Two years later, Rebecca is cancer-free and in good health. She and Terry are happier and stronger than ever. Despite all they’ve been through, Rebecca remains grateful. She has noticed a positive change in Terry, seeing him as a softer, gentler, and kinder version of himself.

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