Unfortunately, no treatment helped, and the doctors told them to prepare themselves. One afternoon, as Adam sat by Josh’s bedside, his adoptive father gripped his hand. “Promise me something, Adam,” Josh wheezed, his voice weak but urgent.

“Anything, Dad,” Adam replied, leaning closer. “Promise me you’ll always remember what I told you on your tenth birthday.” Adam breathed choppily before answering in a hoarse voice. “I remember. I always will. I will make you proud.”

Josh smiled weakly, his opaque eyes still managing to reflect with love. “You already have, son. Now, follow your dreams.” A few minutes later, Adam’s true father was gone. After caring for Mary for several weeks before returning to his bachelor apartment, Adam channeled his grief into action.

Inspired by his own experiences, he started working hard and gathering enough savings to fund a small business, designing affordable equipment for people with disabilities. He enrolled in night engineering and business courses, and those early days were grueling.

There were moments of doubt when the challenges, costs, and demands to meet seemed insurmountable. He might not make it. During one particularly tough night, Adam called Mary, and she immediately heard the exhaustion in his voice.

“Mom, I don’t know if I can do this. Maybe I’m in over my head. I should’ve taken things slowly, finished college, and then, start the business.” “Adam, remember what your father always said,” Mary reminded him, firmly but gently.

“You can do anything you set your mind to. This isn’t just about making money. You’re changing lives. Don’t give up now.” The words were exactly what he needed to hear. “You’re right, Mom. Thanks for always believing in me.”

Slowly, Adam’s innovative designs gained traction, and his classes went smoother, although they were still extremely overwhelming. However, his empathy and firsthand understanding of customers’ needs set his products apart.

This translated into more orders and allowed him to hire more people to ease his load. Five years passed before he knew it, and Adam, now a fully graduated engineer with a minor in business administration, stood in his sleek office.

He stared out the window and squinted his eyes, trying to see the little corner of their town where he had been abandoned to his fate. Adam would never forget that location, but he had never been back there. Now, he was the most successful entrepreneur in the area.

A journalist had interviewed him and discovered his past. His rags-to-riches story inspired many others and brought in new clients and investors. Adam touched his prosthetic arm, the latest and best technology offered. But he wished technology could bring his father back to see his success.

Instead, someone else from his past came to visit him that day. A knock at the door interrupted his reminiscing, and Adam turned just as his assistant, Cherry, poked her head in. “There’s someone here to see you,” she said hesitantly.

“She says… she says she’s your mother.” “My mother is visiting her friends three hours away, Cherry,” Adam frowned and sat back at his desk. “It must be another tabloid writer wanting gossip.” “No, it’s not Mary, sir,” Cherry added apologetically.

“But she looks a lot like you.” Adam’s breath caught in his throat, and he stared at his assistant for a while before sighing. “Send her in,” he managed. Carissa entered with her signature sickeningly-sweet smile and her arms outstretched.

She was the same as ever, just older. But Adam saw several things some people wouldn’t notice. Her cheap makeup was smudged as if it had been done yesterday or days ago. Her clothes seemed nice, but they were clear imitations.

Adam normally didn’t care about such stupid matters, but this

was the woman who had abandoned him. “Adam,” Carissa breathed. “My boy! Look at you now!” Despite her seemingly warm words, there was no maternal love in her gaze.

Even worse, Adam saw a calculating gleam. “Why are you here?” he asked instead of wasting his time with pleasantries. He didn’t even offer her a smile. “I see you’re mad at me,” Carissa began, sitting in the chair opposite his desk.

“But let me explain. I saw that article about you…” She launched into a tale of hardship and bad luck, each word carefully crafted to elicit sympathy… and financial support. Adam listened silently, but his jaw clenched often.

“So, you see,” she finished, “I thought my son would help me during this hard time since he’s such a caring person with a big business dedicated to helping others like himself.” It was then that Adam stood. “I’m not the little boy you abandoned,” he said, buttoning his suit jacket.

“I’ve made something of myself, not because of you, but in spite of you. The only mother I acknowledge is the woman who chose me, loved me, and sacrificed for me.” Carissa’s face froze for a moment before her mask slipped.

“But Adam, I’m your real mother,” she said tightly. “Doesn’t that mean anything to you?” “Me being your son didn’t mean anything to you,” he replied, shrugging. “Please, see yourself out.” Without another word, Adam gestured for the door, and Carissa left.

But not before giving him the stink-eye. A few days later, Adam told Mary, his real mother, all about it during dinner. As always, she could tell when he was feeling emotional. She reached across the table and squeezed his hand.

“You’re the strongest person I know,” she said, her eyes shining with love. “Being your parents was the greatest thing that happened to Josh and me.” Despite being an adult, a college graduate, and a businessman, Adam needed to hear those words after seeing Carissa.

He nodded, sniffing to avoid crying, and they continued eating, changing the subject to something happier.