After we died, Tyrell stood up like he was never injured. No limp, no sign of disability.
His real documents even showed he was already over 20.
He must’ve been faking it all those years, pretending to be a poor orphan just to win sympathy.
In the end, Cecily and I had been completely played.
There’s no way I’m letting that happen again!
I hardened my expression and said firmly, “We don’t have an extra room for you at home, so adopting you is out of the question. This orphanage gets plenty of support from good people—you’ll be fine here.”
My wife looked at me like I was a different person.
“Honey, what’s wrong with you? Tyrell was just speaking from the heart—why are you so mad?”
Our son tugged on my shirt, clearly upset.
“Dad, you always told me to help others when we can. You said good people get rewarded. Tyrell is really pitiful. Can’t we please bring him home?”
They both begged me.
But I stood my ground.
“No.
“If you want to see him, I’ll bring you here every week. But bringing him home? That’s not happening.
“Alfie, you’re our only son. You’re the one who gets all our love. Do you really want to bring home a brother who’ll take half of that away?”
My son was still young, but after thinking it over, he seemed to understand where I was coming from.
“I’ll listen to you, Dad.”
I let out a sigh of relief.
But then Tyrell’s eyes started to turn red.
He struggled to wheel himself over in front of us.
“Sir… life here ain’t what you think. Folks donate what they can, but it’s barely enough. I was born like this—I can’t walk, so I can’t fight the other kids for stuff. And the director? He only really look out for the healthy ones. They got a shot at gettin’ adopted. Ain’t nobody checkin’ for somebody like me.”
“It’s been years, and y’all the only ones who ever really talked to me… or got me somethin’. If y’all don’t take me this time… I might not even be here next time you come around.”
“I’m beggin’ you, alright? Sir, I know y’all doin’ good. Takin’ care of me wouldn’t even be that hard. I could help out around the house, look after your son—I’ll do whatever. I ain’t scared of hard work.”
That calculating look in his eyes sent a chill down my spine.
I took a step back and pulled my son close to me.