My son asked me not to visit without calling first. But yesterday, I decided to surprise him, baked his favorite cabbage pies, and went to his place. I froze at the door when I heard his conversation with the neighbor, which took my breath away…

I was always proud of the trusting relationship I had with my son. He’s my only child, and I raised him alone after my divorce. We’ve always been close and shared everything.

A month ago, he asked me to give him a heads-up before visiting — to call ahead and not just drop by. He’s thirty-two years old, so I wasn’t upset. I thought — it’s normal, an adult man needs personal space. Maybe he finally found a girlfriend.

But yesterday, I couldn’t resist. I baked his favorite cabbage pies and went to him. I thought — it’s a surprise, he’ll be happy.

I went up to his floor, approached the door. It was ajar — he must have been taking out the trash and didn’t close it all the way. I was about to call out to him but then heard voices coming from the room.

I froze.

Two people were talking — my son and a woman. The voice was familiar — the neighbor from the apartment across the hall. Divorced, two nearly grown kids, around forty-two years old. We always said hello in the hallway, occasionally chatted about the weather, nothing more.

She spoke softly, almost tenderly: “Sweetheart, I can’t keep taking money from you. It’s not right.”

My son replied: “Why is it not right? I want to help. You mean a lot to me.”

My heart skipped a beat. Mean a lot? What does she mean to him?

The woman continued, her voice getting quieter: “But it’s too much. Last month, you even paid the utility bills and gave my son money for a tutor. It’s your money, your hard work.”

My son responded firmly: “It’s our money. We’re together, aren’t we?”

I leaned against the wall, feeling a chill inside.

She sighed: “Together… But your mom doesn’t know anything. You’re afraid to tell her. So you must realize it’s not completely right.”

My son was silent for a moment, then answered more quietly: “I’m not afraid. I just don’t know how to tell her. She won’t understand. She’ll say you’re using me, that you’re only interested in the money.”

The woman replied sadly: “Are you sure she’s wrong?”

He said sharply: “Of course, she’s wrong! I love you. I don’t care about the age difference or that you have kids. I’m happy with you.”

I stood there listening, with my heart wrenching in pain and anger.

The woman quietly said: “I’m happy with you too. But sometimes I think — you’re young, handsome, successful. You’re thirty-two. You could find a girl your age, start a family, have kids. And with me… I won’t have more children, I have two teenagers, a lot of issues.”

My son interrupted her: “I don’t need a girl my age. I need you.”

She laughed sadly: “You feel that way now. But in a couple of years?”

He replied passionately: “Even in a couple of years, I’ll be with you. Stop. I help because I love you. Period.”

I couldn’t take it anymore. I quietly placed the pies on the table by the door and left. I went down the stairs, feeling the turmoil inside.

At home, I sat in the kitchen trying to calm down. But my thoughts were spiraling, each one scarier than the last.

He’s having an affair with the neighbor. A woman ten years older, divorced, with two kids. And he’s giving her money — paying the bills, covering her kids’ tutors.

He’s in love. But what about her? What does she feel? Love or convenience?

I know women like her. They know how to play on the feelings of young men. They pretend to be unhappy, helpless. Then they drain money, time, energy. And when the man realizes he’s been used, it’s too late.

My son — intelligent, educated, with a good job. He could find a decent girl his age. Start a family, have children. Be a father to his own children, not someone else’s teenagers.

What can this woman offer him? She won’t have children. Her kids will always be a burden. Her ex-husband, alimony, problems — all of it will fall on my son’s shoulders.

And the worst part — he’s giving her money. Money he earns himself. She’s already gotten used to him paying. What’s next? Will he be supporting her and two kids while she stays at home?

In the morning, my son called. In a calm voice, he said: “Mom, I found the pies by the door. Did you stop by?”

I barely held myself back from lashing out: “Yes, I popped in for a minute. I heard you talking to someone, didn’t want to interrupt.”

He paused: “I see. Mom, I need to talk to you seriously. Can we meet on Saturday?”

I asked tensely: “About what?”

He replied cautiously: “About my life. There’s something you need to know.”

He hung up.

It’s been three days since then. Two days left until Saturday. I can’t sleep at night.

I know what he’s going to say. He’ll confess his relationship with the neighbor. He’ll ask for my blessing, understanding. He’ll say he loves her.

And I don’t know what to say. Because I see — he’s being used. He’s blinded by his feelings, doesn’t notice the obvious.

She’s ten years older. Divorced. Two kids. Financial problems. Then a young, successful man appears, ready to pay for everything.

Is this love? Or calculation?

I raised my son alone. Invested everything — education, upbringing, values. Dreamed of seeing him happy with a worthy woman. With family, children.

And he’s gotten involved with a woman who could almost be his mother. Who takes money from him and allows him to support her children.

And the most upsetting — he kept it a secret. Asked me not to come without calling. Afraid I would find out and interfere.

Two days until the conversation. I already know what I’ll say. I’ll tell the truth — that she’s using him. That it’s not love but calculation. That he’s blinded and doesn’t see the obvious.

But I’m afraid of his reaction. Afraid he won’t listen. That he’ll choose her over me. That I’ll lose my son because of this woman.

If you were in my place — what would you do? Would you tell your son directly that he’s being used? Or say nothing, hoping he’ll understand on his own? And does a mother have the right to interfere in her adult son’s personal life, even if she’s sure he’s making a mistake?

****

A month ago my son asked me to call before visiting. He’s 32, I wasn’t offended, I thought maybe he finally has a girlfriend. But yesterday I couldn’t resist, I missed him, baked his favorite cabbage pies, and went to surprise him. The apartment door was slightly open. I stopped at the threshold when I heard his conversation with the neighbor. Those words took my breath away, my legs felt rooted to the floor… and in that moment I realized I would not go any further…
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