A month after adopting 4-year-old Ioana, she quietly told me, “Mommy, you shouldn’t put
your faith in Daddy.” Ioana, who had been reserved but showed promise, seemed to adjust
slowly, but I began noticing her anxiety around Mihai. One day, she told me, “He’s not
who he says he is” and spoke about a man from the orphanage who had been angry and made
cruel remarks about her. Her words confused me, as Mihai and I had gone through every
adoption step together.That evening, I discovered concerning emails from Mihai regarding
Ioana’s adoption, suggesting doubts about her suitability, despite his apparent enthusiasm.
When Mihai slept, I whispered to Ioana that I would protect her. I now felt a deep need
to uncover the truth behind Mihai’s actions and Ioana’s fear of him
