I never had children of my own. I didn’t even realize I wanted them until I met my wife. By the time I did, it was too late biologically.
But marrying her, I thought, maybe I could still experience parenthood through her daughter. She was only four years old when I entered her life, and I had so much hope.
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I tried to make a connection immediately. My stepdaughter didn’t take to me. She was seven when I married her mom and I thought at least then, she’d realize I just wanted to be a part of her life.
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But she made it clear she didn’t want me. “I have my real dad, don’t play the role,” she’d snap. I knew she blamed me for her dad not being in the picture, although my wife had already been separated a year when we met.