The next few months became the hardest period of their marriage.
Ethan became frustrated and withdrawn. Emma tried to stay strong, but she was terrified too.
One night, they had their worst argument.
“You keep telling me everything will be okay,” Ethan shouted. “But what if it isn't?”
Emma started crying.
“Then we face it together!”
“What if I lose everything?”
Emma stepped closer.
“You're not losing everything. You have us.”
Ethan looked away.
“I don't want our children to grow up thinking their father abandoned them.”
Emma grabbed his hand.
“Then don't disappear while you're still here.”
That sentence changed him.
The next morning, Ethan began fighting.
He hired an immigration attorney. He collected old documents, employment records, tax records, marriage certificates, and every piece of evidence proving that his life was here.
But just when they thought things were improving, another letter arrived.
The appeal had been delayed.
Ethan stared at the paper.
For the first time, he considered leaving voluntarily.
Maybe it would be easier.
Maybe Emma and the children could build a normal life without constantly living in fear.
That night, Ethan packed a suitcase.
Before he could leave, he heard footsteps.
Lily stood at the end of the hallway.
She was holding a crayon drawing.
It showed four people standing together under a giant yellow sun.
At the top, she had written:
“MY FAMILY.”