A Mother’s Sacrifice: Betrayal, Regret,

My heart pounded as my son shifted uncomfortably beside his wife.

“We lied about what?” I asked, my voice calm but firm.

His wife crossed her arms. “We never needed the space for a family. We just wanted the house to ourselves. My mother needs a place now.”

Air left my lungs. My own son had let me believe I was helping them build a future.

I turned to him. “Is this true?”

He looked away. “Mom, we thought it was time for you to downsize.”

Downsize.

I clenched my hands. “I didn’t leave my home so you could bring someone else in.”

She shrugged. “Well, it’s our house now.”

That hurt more than I expected.