We adopted Bobby, a five-year-old mute child, hoping love would help him heal. For months, he said nothing—until his sixth birthday. After blowing out his candles, he whispered five chilling words: “My parents are still alive.”

At the foster home, we learned the truth. Bobby’s wealthy birth parents had paid to fake their deaths after abandoning him when he fell ill.

Despite our doubts, we took Bobby to meet them. They admitted they “didn’t know how to help,” so they gave him up.

“I think you didn’t even try,” Bobby replied quietly. Then, turning to us, he said, “I want to stay with you.”

That moment changed everything. We chose Bobby, and he chose us.

From then on, his voice—and his smile—returned.

We weren’t just his adoptive parents anymore.

We were his real family.