Yet, from the moment our son, Ethan—then 12 years old—heard about the adoption, he made his feelings known in a way that would haunt us all. He repeatedly told us that he didn’t believe we could love him as much if we brought another child into our home. Despite our constant reassurances and efforts to help him understand that love could expand to include someone new, his anger and resentment grew with each passing day.

Then, one fateful morning, everything came crashing down. I awoke to the eerie silence of our home and rushed to our daughter’s room, only to find her crib completely empty. Panic seized my heart. Rushing through the house, I discovered that Ethan’s room was also empty—he was nowhere to be found. With dread coursing through my veins, I ran outside, desperate for answers, and the truth that awaited me was far more devastating than I ever could have imagined.