Elena had been trying to save her marriage for months. Desperate to keep Mark from leaving, she pretended to be pregnant. The news brought a glimmer of hope to their strained relationship. For a while, Mark seemed happy again, believing they were finally starting a family. But when Mark discovered the truth, his reaction was far from what Elena expected. Mark’s initial shock turned to anger as he confronted Elena. “How could you lie about something so important?” he demanded. Elena’s eyes filled with tears, but she had no words. She knew her deceit had crossed a line, but she hoped to explain her desperation. Mark stormed out of the house, leaving Elena to drown in her guilt and regret. She feared he might never return. Days passed without a word from him. Each passing moment felt like an eternity, filled with dread and loneliness. Then, just as hope was fading, the doorbell rang. Mark stood on the doorstep, holding a small suitcase. His face was unreadable as he stepped inside. “We need to talk,” he said, his voice steady but strained. Elena nodded, her heart pounding. She braced herself for the worst, not knowing if their marriage could survive this betrayal. Mark’s next words shocked her to the core, altering their lives forever. “I’ve decided to adopt a child,” Mark announced, taking Elena by surprise. “If we can’t have our own, we can still be a family.” His words were a lifeline, offering a chance at redemption and a new beginning. Elena realized this might be their last chance to rebuild trust and find happiness together.