[PEARL]
As Jeff remained silent, I watched him intently, my emotions raw and unfiltered. His silence stretched, creating an almost unbearable tension. Finally, he broke it with a question that sent a chill down my spine. "How do you think I have all I possess today? I was adopted after they took custody of me."
His voice carried a weight that echoed in the quiet room. My face reflected the sadness I felt inside as I nodded for him to continue. Jeff's eyes darkened with the memory. "After going to the foster care, I felt alone and abandoned. I hated the world for being unfair to me, for showing no mercy to a little kid. I never wanted to be adopted, so I was rebellious. Families that took me in kept returning me back like an object."
His voice cracked, and I couldn't hold back my tears.
