“I will not leave you. I promise”: A stranger becomes a father following the call of his heart
“Sir… please take my sister. She is hungry…”
That voice, almost drowned out by the noise of the city, took Nicolás Arroyo by surprise. He walked briskly, almost running, lost in thoughts about the important meeting he would have that day.
Millions of euros, contracts, the trust of investors. Since Elena had d.ied—his wife, his world—his job was the only thing that kept him alive.
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But that voice… He stopped and turned around.
In front of him was a boy of about seven. Thin, with shabby clothes and tearful eyes. In his arms, he held a bundle: a baby girl, wrapped in a faded blanket. The baby whimpered softly, while her brother held her as if his life depended on it.
“Where’s your mom?” Nicholas asked, crouching down to her level.
“She said she’d be back soon… but it’s been two days,” the boy whispered. “I’m still waiting here…”
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The boy’s name was Adrian, the girl’s was Lucia. They had no one else. No notes, no addresses, just hunger and endless waiting.
Nicolas suggested calling the police, notifying social services, buying them food. But when he heard “police,” Adrian shuddered.
“Please, don’t hand us over… They’ll take Lucia…”
At that moment, Nicolas knew he couldn’t leave them. Something inside him, hardened by grief, had cracked.
They went to a nearby cafe.
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Adrian ate quickly, as if afraid they would take his food. Nicolas gave Lucia formula.
For the first time in a long time, he felt needed. Not as a businessman, but as a person.
“Cancel all my meetings,” he ordered his assistant briefly over the phone.
The police arrived quickly. Everything seemed normal. Usually: question, form.
But when Adrián held his hand and whispered, “You won’t abandon us?” Nicolás answered without thinking:
“I won’t abandon them. I promise.”
