Lily started volunteering at the local orphanage after her daughter, Celeste, died. There she saw an eight-year-old girl named Hope, who looked precisely like Celeste. She told her husband, Andrew, and they decided to adopt her. But then Andrew’s mom met Hope and told them the heartbreaking truth.
Andrew met Lily while attending college at UCLA, but he was originally from Scottsdale, Arizona. When they graduated, he proposed and asked Lily to move back to his hometown with him. She agreed, and they settled there.
Andrew’s mother, Alina Barkley, was delighted when they moved near her. She insisted on being called Mrs. Barkley, although she was never married and had raised Andrew as a single mother. But the older woman was even more excited when Lily announced her pregnancy.
Lily met an eight-year-old girl at the orphanage. | Source: Shutterstock
Lily gave birth to a beautiful baby girl and named her Celeste. Unfortunately, the baby was born with a congenital disability and passed away at the age of two. Lily could barely get out of bed for weeks afterward but was thankful for her mother-in-law’s support.
“Mom, I don’t know how to deal with this pain. I don’t know if Lily is going to recover. I read that couples that lose a child don’t make it,” Andrew cried to his mother when Lily was asleep.
“No, son. I’m here. I have an idea that will help Lily, hopefully. You two love each other. You’ll make it,” Mrs. Barkley promised. A few months after Celeste’s passing, Lily started volunteering at the local orphanage at Mrs. Barkley’s suggestion.
“Thank you, Mrs. Barkley. It’s kind of you to come to and spend time with the kids,” the social worker at the orphanage told her.
“Oh, please call me Lily. Mrs. Barkley is my mother-in-law. She told me to do this. I was a bit hesitant at first, but seeing the kids smiling has made me so happy today,” Lily told the woman. But just then, a little eight-year-old approached them.
Lily froze when a little girl approached her at the orphanage. | Source: Pexels
“Hello! Do you want to play with me?” the girl asked, looking up at Lily, who suddenly froze in place. This girl was the vivid image of Celeste. She couldn’t believe it. Then the girl pulled on her skirt, and Lily unfroze.
“Hey, there! Of course, I can play. What’s your name?” Lily asked.
“My name is...
