For years, my husband John refused to have a child with me, despite my growing desperation and his puzzling suggestion to adopt. One night, after a heated argument, I overheard a phone call that shattered my world and revealed the hidden fears driving his heartbreaking decision.

I sat on the porch, watching neighborhood kids play, a pang of sadness hitting me as I thought about my long-held dream of having a child with John. We had been married for six years, and my desire to start a family grew stronger each year.

John was a loving husband, but the topic of children always created tension between us. He even suggested adopting, which confused me more. One night, after an intense argument, I overheard him on the phone with his mother.

“Mom, I don’t know what to do. Lisa wants a baby so badly,” he said. “I just can’t risk it. I love her too much to let her go through that.”

My heart ached as I realized John was hiding a fear of passing on a genetic illness. In that moment, I understood his reluctance and knew we needed to face this together.