Jack investigated why his pet Ralph continued yapping on the road, only to find an abandoned infant beside him. This special baby girl would eventually transform Jack's existence completely.
Although quite rich, Jack was recognized by townspeople as exceptionally benevolent and giving. He possessed everything until just three months earlier when he learned his spouse had been unfaithful with his closest companion.
Jack ended his marriage, and his wife relocated to another state with his former friend. He refused to let this betrayal make him bitter, maintaining his kindness to everyone. Yet, people noticed he lived in solitude despite his friendly nature.
To combat his isolation, Jack adopted a canine friend called Ralph. "You'll stay loyal to me, won't you Ralph?" he remarked upon getting him, forcing a smile through his hurt.
Being occupied with work, Jack trained Ralph to act properly. He permitted Ralph to play freely in their yard during afternoons, and when tired, the cute dog would return inside by himself.
One afternoon, he allowed Ralph outdoors. While viewing a film on television, he realized Ralph hadn't come back yet. He went outside and heard barking from a distance.
Jack climbed over his fence to investigate. Upon reaching the street, he spotted Ralph next to an infant lying on the grass.
"You unfortunate baby," he said, upset that someone abandoned a defenseless child on the roadside. He searched the vicinity for belongings related to the child but found nothing. A small crying infant lay in a basket, while my dog gently pushed her with his snout, seemingly in compassion. Within the basket, I discovered a message. I read it with deep regret.
"Don't search for her family. This baby belongs to you now. Look after her."
Before bringing her home, he visited a nearby shop and bought formula and diapers to properly care for the infant. At home, he fed her and changed her. Then he contacted authorities to report what happened.
"This helpless infant was abandoned on the street with just her clothing. No adults were nearby, so I brought her home," Jack described.
Police stated they would review security footage to locate her parents. Meanwhile, they needed to find temporary guardians for the baby.
Upon hearing this, Jack responded immediately. "Can I become her caretaker?" he inquired. "I manage my companies from my residence, so caring for her wouldn't pose difficulties."
The authorities collected additional information and identity verification from Jack, permitting the small girl to remain with him. Jack cared for her several months, and when investigators concluded her parents couldn't be found, she became available for adoption.
Jack promptly filed the necessary adoption documents for the little girl, whom he called Emily, officially making her his daughter.
He nurtured Emily like his biological child, naming her after his own mother who raised him singlehandedly. He cherished Emily deeply and supplied her with all necessities plus extras.
Similarly, Emily idolized Jack. She admired her father and constantly desired his company. They shared all meals and visited parks, favorite ice cream shops, and arcades where they spent considerable time together.
When Emily reached age seven and began attending school, numerous parents and educators commented on the physical similarities between Jack and Emily. Even Jack's acquaintances remarked they "appeared identical."
Jack always viewed Emily as his actual daughter, so he accepted these observations as praise and would just grin whenever someone mentioned their likeness.
One afternoon, while Emily played with Ralph in their yard, she tumbled and cut her head on concrete. As Jack cleaned the injury with disinfectant, he observed something remarkable.
"Look at this, darling! We share an identical birthmark!" he exclaimed, astonished. He had never seen Emily's birthmark before because her hair concealed it.
"We were destined to be family, dad," she replied, drying her tears and beaming at her father.
Intrigued by this coincidence, Jack opted for genetic testing. He collected a strand of Emily's hair and submitted it with his sample. He thought little about it but was shocked when he received results approximately twenty-one days later.
The analysis indicated a 99.9% probability that Emily was his biological child. Having always been faithful, this meant only one thing – his former wife had been expecting his baby.
He telephoned her, and she picked up. "What do you need, Jack?"
"Why did you hide our daughter from me?" he questioned immediately.
"I refused to raise your baby, nor did I want to see you again, so I abandoned her roadside. I knew you'd discover her eventually. Goodbye, please never contact me again," she stated before hanging up.
Jack was incredulous and tearful. Although knowing Emily was his biological daughter didn't increase his love for her, he felt grateful he could raise his own child.
"What's troubling you, dad?" Emily inquired after seeing her father weep.
"Nothing's amiss, darling. I'm just extremely joyful," he clarified. "Do you recall what father told you? That heaven sent you to me despite me not being your biological father?" he questioned her.
Emily confirmed with a head movement. "You are my genuine father, dad. Remember that," she amended his statement.
"Indeed, sweetheart. I am your actual father. This genetic test confirms it," he stated, giving her the document.
"I informed you, dad. We were destined to unite," Emily declared, embracing him.
Several years afterward, Jack discovered romance again. Having attended all Emily's school functions, he gradually fell in love with one of her instructors.
Two years following their wedding, Emily welcomed a baby sister. Emily assumed the big sister role with substantial pride and happiness.
Since that time, Jack, Emily, and their entire household have lived contentedly and harmoniously. They valued their family moments above everything else. This motivated Jack to end his career prematurely to devote additional time to his children.