Kyle Greenbecker had spent a long, grueling year working on an oil pipeline in Alaska, but at last, he was going home. Home to his wife, Lisa, the love of his life. They had met in high school, fallen madly in love, and married young. Kyle had never once regretted it.
Unlike some of his colleagues, who partied hard and had flings during their business trips, Kyle had always been faithful. He had eyes for only one woman. He couldn’t wait to see her, to hold her again after so many months apart.
As his plane touched down, Kyle eagerly grabbed his luggage and stepped out into the busy terminal, his eyes scanning the crowd for Lisa’s familiar face. But she wasn’t there.
Odd, he thought. Maybe she got stuck at work.
He quickly sent her a text: “Just landed! Can’t wait to see you. On my way home.”
No reply.
Shrugging off a strange feeling in his gut, Kyle hailed an Uber. The drive home felt longer than usual, and his excitement was now tinged with unease. Something didn’t feel right.
When he finally reached his house, he saw that the lights were on.
“Lisa?” he called as he stepped inside. No answer.
Then, in the kitchen, he froze.
On the kitchen table sat a small bassinet. A tiny hand waved in the air, a soft cooing sound filling the room.
Kyle blinked. What the hell…?
Slowly, he approached, staring down at the infant inside. Big, innocent eyes stared back at him, round and astonished.
A baby.
On his kitchen table.
His heart pounded as he noticed a folded piece of paper next to the bassinet. Hands shaking, he picked it up. There were two notes—one written in an unfamiliar scrawl and another in Lisa’s delicate handwriting.
The first note read: “You had your fun, now take responsibility for your child.”
Kyle’s stomach twisted.
Then, he unfolded Lisa’s letter.
Kyle,
Yesterday, I found this baby on our doorstep with that note attached. I always suspected you cheated on me during your business trips, but I let it slide because, honestly, I had my own flings while you were away. But this? Dumping someone else’s child on me? That’s too much.
I’ve filed for divorce. I hope I never see you again.
P.S. Don’t worry about the baby—I made sure to leave only after I saw you walking up the driveway. Enjoy your life, Kyle, because I certainly plan to enjoy mine.
Kyle felt like the air had been punched out of his lungs. He sat down, head in his hands, struggling to breathe. His wife had left him. For something he didn’t even do.
A soft cooing sound made him lift his head. The baby reached out, grabbing his index finger with surprising strength.
“Well, kid,” Kyle muttered. “Looks like it’s just us now. And I have no idea what to do with you.”
The baby gurgled, then her face scrunched up. She turned bright red. A second later, Kyle’s nose was assaulted by a very distinct smell.
“Oh my God,” he groaned. “Is this—? Oh no.”
He spotted a large backpack on the floor, stuffed with baby supplies. Digging through it, he found diapers. Thank God for that.
He fumbled with his phone and searched, “How to change a diaper.” A YouTube video popped up, and Kyle watched carefully as a cheerful woman demonstrated on a life-like doll.
“Alright,” he muttered. “How hard can it be?”
Turned out, very hard. Unlike the motionless doll in the video, this baby kicked her legs, wiggled non-stop, and somehow managed to plant her tiny feet right into the mess. Kyle gagged as he wiped her clean.
When he finally got her fresh and dry, he sighed in relief.
“Okay, baby girl, you win. I’m keeping you.”
He scooped her up in his arms. She yawned, then nestled against him.
“You need a name,” Kyle murmured. “How about… Lily? Yeah. I like that. What do you think?”
The baby yawned again and smacked her lips.
“Lily it is,” Kyle decided.
For the next two years, Kyle dedicated himself to raising Lily. He legally adopted her, enrolled her in daycare, and celebrated her birthday on the day she had come into his life. He adored her. And Lily adored him.
Then, on Lily’s second birthday, his world shattered.
A sharp knock at the door.
Kyle opened it to find a tall, thin blonde woman standing there. Her fake lashes were long, her lips plump, and her body clearly enhanced by a plastic surgeon.
“I’ve come for my baby,” she announced.
Kyle stared. “Your what?”
“My baby,” she snapped impatiently. “I left her here two years ago? My bad. I was kinda stoned and got mixed up. My boyfriend lived on the next block, you know how it is.”
Kyle’s blood boiled. “No. I don’t know how it is because I would never abandon a child on a stranger’s doorstep.”
The woman huffed. “Look, I figured it out a week later, but my boyfriend wasn’t answering my calls. But now? I need that baby.”
Kyle’s jaw clenched. “Why?”
“Burt just signed a Major League contract. And that baby? She’s gonna make sure some of those millions land in my account.”
Kyle slammed the door in her face.
But it wasn’t over.
A week later, he was served court papers. Cherish Vegas—Lily’s so-called mother—was suing for custody. The battle was brutal.
In court, Cherish played the victim. “I’ve changed! I just want my baby back!”
The judge frowned. “You mean the baby you abandoned on a porch?”
Cherish flushed. “I am her mother!”
The judge turned to a towering man next to her—Burt, no doubt. “Sir, are you the father?”
Burt scratched his head. “I guess I must be…”
“And are you prepared to take responsibility?”
Cherish jumped in. “Of course he is! He just signed a three-million-dollar deal!”
The judge sighed. “There it is. The truth.” She turned to Kyle. “Mr. Greenbecker?”
Kyle stood. “Your honor, my daughter’s name is Lily. And she does have her father’s name—mine. I’ve loved her since the moment she came into my life, and she loves me.”
Right then, Lily spotted him. “Daddy!” she squealed, reaching out her arms.
The judge smiled. “Well, that settles it. Custody remains with Mr. Greenbecker.”
That night, Kyle and Lily celebrated by catching fireflies. “Stars!” Lily giggled.
Kyle hugged her tight.
She was his brightest star of all.
