It all started the day my son, Ryan, brought home a woman about 20 years older than him and announced she was moving in. At first, I didn’t say much, but I had a plan. Let’s just say, by the time they realized the weight of their actions, it was far too late.
For years, all I wanted was to see Ryan happy and settle down with someone who would love him as much as I did. That wish intensified after my husband passed away three years ago.
But little did I know my dream would come true in a way I could never have expected.
A woman in her house | Source: Midjourney
For most of my life, I’ve been lucky. I had a loving husband, two wonderful kids, and a home that was always warm and full of laughter.
My husband, Daniel, was the kind of man who knew how to make life feel steady and secure. When he passed away three years ago, it felt like the ground beneath my feet had crumbled.
Since then, I’ve done my best to keep moving forward, even though some days are harder than others.
A woman looking outside a window | Source: Midjourney
Bella, my daughter, has been a bright spot in my life. She’s always been my dependable, hardworking child. Even as a little girl, she took pride in doing her best at school.
It wasn’t a surprise when she graduated at the top of her class and landed a great job in another city. Bella’s single now, and while I sometimes wish she’d settle down, I’ve never had to worry about her.
She’s always been focused and capable.
A woman working on a laptop | Source: Pexels
Then there’s Ryan, my youngest. Ryan has always been a free spirit.
As a kid, he had zero interest in school. His world revolved around video games, comic books, and goofing around with his friends. Back then, getting him to do his homework was like negotiating with a stubborn mule.
But something changed when he hit his late teens. Maybe it was seeing his friends get serious about their futures, or he just realized he couldn’t play video games for a living.
A man holding a controller | Source: Pexels
Whatever it was, Ryan started putting in the effort. He eventually graduated with a diploma and landed a stable job.
He wasn’t going to be the next CEO of a tech company, but he was responsible and earning a paycheck, and that was enough for me.
Ryan’s big passion now is traveling. He’s always saving up for trips, exploring new places, and returning with stories of his adventures.
A man with a suitcase | Source: Pexels
It makes me happy to see him so excited about life, even though I secretly wish he’d spend less time planning trips and more time thinking about his future.
At 30, he’s still living at home with me, which I don’t mind. After Daniel’s passing, having Ryan around has been a comfort.
But like any mother, I want more for him. I want him to find someone who makes him happy. Someone he could share his life with.
A couple holding hands | Source: Pexels
After Daniel passed, that wish only grew stronger. Honestly, it’s not about wanting grandkids. It’s about wanting Ryan to have the kind of love and partnership I had with Daniel.
“Ryan,” I’d ask him every now and then, “Is there anyone special in your life?”
He’d laugh and wave me off. “Mom, you’ll be the first to know.”
I don’t know if I was the first to know, but he told me about it after returning from France.
He opened up during dinner one day.
A man sitting in his house | Source: Midjourney
“So, Mom,” he started, poking at his plate with his fork, “I met someone on my trip.”
“Really?” I looked at him. “Tell me everything!”
He told me her name was Lydia, and he met her in an art gallery in Paris.
“She’s smart, funny, and we just… clicked,” he said, his face lighting up.
“And what does she do?” I asked, eager to know more.
“She curates art collections for high-profile clients. She’s incredibly knowledgeable about the art world, and I love how passionate she is about what she does.”
A man standing in front of paintings | Source: Pexels
“She sounds amazing!” I exclaimed. “When can I meet her?”
“Not yet,” he replied, shaking his head. “I want to take my time, Mom. Get to know her better first.”
That was enough for me. For months, I dreamed about the day Ryan would introduce me to this incredible woman.
I imagined her as young, vibrant, and full of energy. I had no idea my expectations would soon shatter in ways I couldn’t have anticipated.
A woman standing in her living room | Source: Midjourney
Months after Ryan first mentioned Lydia, he came to me with a wide grin.
“Mom,” he said, standing in the doorway with his hands stuffed in his pockets, “I think it’s time you met Lydia.”
“Really? That’s wonderful, Ryan!” I clapped my hands together, already imagining the young, bright-eyed woman who’d won my son’s heart.
“She’s free this Friday,” he said. “Maybe we could all have dinner together?”
A man talking to his mother | Source: Midjourney
“Of course!” I agreed instantly. “I’ll make lasagna. Everyone loves lasagna.”
I wanted everything to be perfect, so I ensured everything in the house looked good.
I imagined Lydia would be bubbly and full of life, a younger woman who adored Ryan and would look up to me as a mother figure. I even pulled out my best dress and styled my hair, making sure I looked modern enough to keep up with the young couple.
A woman’s dresses | Source: Pexels
When Friday came, I could barely contain my excitement. The lasagna was in the oven, the table was set with my finest dishes, and I was putting the finishing touches on a salad when the doorbell rang.
“That must be her!” I called out.
Ryan jumped up to answer the door while I wiped my hands on a kitchen towel. I was super excited, but I froze as soon as I stepped into the living room.
Standing there was Lydia. But she wasn’t the young, fresh-faced woman I’d imagined.
A woman in her boyfriend’s house | Source: Midjourney
She was mature. Only five years younger than me, if I had to guess.
Her hair was perfectly styled, and she wore a sleek outfit that screamed sophistication. She looked more like a woman who should be attending a wine-and-cheese party with me than dating my son.
“Mom, this is Lydia,” Ryan said, beaming with pride.
“Hello, Celine!” Lydia greeted me with an enthusiastic smile, extending her hand.
“Hi,” I managed to murmur and shook her hand weakly.
A woman looking straight ahead | Source: Midjourney
Ryan didn’t seem to notice my shock. He led Lydia into the dining room, chatting about their day as if everything were perfectly normal.
I followed them in a daze, wondering if I’d stepped into some alternate reality.
As we sat down to eat, Ryan seemed eager to share their plans for the future.
“Mom,” he began. “I’ve been thinking, uh, Lydia’s going to move in with us.”
A man sitting with his family for dinner | Source: Midjourney
I nearly choked on my water. “Move in? With us?”
“Yes,” he said as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “It makes sense. She can help with the house, and we’ll save money by living together.”
I turned to Lydia, who smiled brightly.
“I think it’ll be wonderful,” she said. “I’d love to help out around the house and make things easier for you, Celine.”
I didn’t need help. I’d been managing the house perfectly well on my own for years. But before I could say anything, Ryan continued.
A man smiling | Source: Midjourney
“It’s not just about saving money,” he added. “I love her, Mom. I think she’s the one.”
I always felt happy whenever he talked about his love for Lydia, but this time, I felt disgusted. How could he be happy with a woman almost my age?
The rest of the dinner was a blur. I nodded and smiled, but my thoughts were elsewhere.
Later that night, as I lay in bed, I wrestled with my feelings. Should I tell Ryan how I felt? Would he listen if I did? Or would he push me away?
A worried woman | Source: Midjourney
One thought kept coming back to me.
If I opposed this, I might lose my son. After losing Daniel, the idea of losing Ryan was unbearable. So, despite my misgivings, I decided to let Lydia move in.
At first, everything seemed fine. Lydia was polite and respectful, and I tried my best to make her feel welcome. But soon enough, the cracks began to show.
It started with small inconveniences.
A woman smiling | Source: Midjourney
Lydia monopolized the bathroom every morning, leaving me with just a few minutes to get ready for the day. She used the groceries I bought but only cooked for herself and Ryan, never asking if I wanted to join.
The final straw came when she began redecorating. She swapped out my cozy floral curtains for modern, minimalist blinds and replaced my favorite armchair with a cold-looking leather recliner without consulting me.
Enough is enough, I thought. I need to talk to Ryan.
A woman standing in her house | Source: Midjourney
Later that evening, I voiced my concerns, thinking my son would understand them.
“Ryan,” I said as we sat in the living room, “I feel like I’m losing my home.”
Ryan sighed. “Mom, you’re overthinking this. Lydia’s just trying to make the house more comfortable for all of us.”
“Comfortable?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “She’s turning it into a space I barely recognize.”
“Mom, relax,” he said. “She’s just trying to take charge of everything. It’s her way of showing she cares.”
A man talking to his mother | Source: Midjourney
“Celine, I thought you’d appreciate the changes,” Lydia chimed in. “The house needed a bit of an update.”
“It’s my house,” I said firmly. “And I like it the way it is.”
But Lydia wasn’t one to back down.
A few days later, she casually suggested over breakfast, “You know, Celine, you have a great basement. It’ll be perfect for you. Or maybe you could stay with your single daughter. You see, I need a room for my office so I was thinking we could take the master bedroom when you leave.”
A woman looking straight ahead | Source: Midjourney
“Excuse me?” I looked at her with wide eyes.
“Mom, it’s not a bad idea,” Ryan said. “Lydia needs space for her work, and you’ve been saying Bella misses you.”
I stared at them, unable to believe my son and his girlfriend wanted me to give up the home Daniel and I had built together.
I wanted to fight and tell Lydia to leave my house, but I didn’t. Instead, I did something they didn’t expect.
I signed the house over to Ryan.
A woman signing a document | Source: Pexels
A month later, my phone rang. It was Lydia.
“SO, THIS WAS YOUR PLAN?!” she screamed.
It turned out they had received the first batch of bills, including mortgage payments, utilities, property taxes, and more.
Lydia had assumed the house was fully paid off, and Ryan, as clueless as ever, hadn’t known we still had payments.
“Well,” I said calmly, “you wanted to be the lady of the house. Now act like one.”
A woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney
“You can’t do this!” she protested.
“Being a homeowner isn’t just about redecorating, Lydia. It’s about managing everything. You should’ve thought about this before asking me to hand over the house. Welcome to the real world!”
Lydia and Ryan begged me to take the house back, which I did. But the damage was done.
I’d learned a hard truth about my son and his priorities. And while I still love him, I’ve decided to start loving myself more.
A woman standing in her house | Source: Midjourney
If you enjoyed reading this story, here’s another one you might like: Jake finally introduces his girlfriend to his parents, only to discover that his father knows her. Or of her — revealing her secret life of dark restaurants and deals with businessmen…
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
Husband receives photo from his wife, then immediately wants a divorce – full story here
Husband receives photo from his wife, then immediately wants a divorce
A picture is worth more than a thousand words. Photos are an important part of our lives. Holiday memories, how cute your pet is, the beauty of your partner: it can all be captured in a photo. Still, sometimes it’s better not to Iook too much into the details, because who knows, you might come across something that you previously overlooked.
Something that has enormous consequences…John Baker also experienced this: he saw something in a photo of his wife that made him want to divorce her immediately. It’s difficult to see, but when you take a close look, you’ll be abIe to see it. Why she sent the photo to him and what has he seen? You will hear about it below. Have you noticed it in the photo above? If not, read on quickly.
John and Chloe
John and Baker Chloe had been married for five years and lived in San Francisco. The American couple had a special reIationship. John traveled the world for work and was sometimes away from home for weeks, while Chloe spent her time volunteering at various charities in the city. Because Chloe was home alone so often, she was in charge of the household. When John was home for a week, he had to obey his wife’s house rules. This had caused tensions at first, but eventually John had resigned himself to it. He had long been happy to have such a beautiful wife to come home to.
John Baker
The husband, John, had a good job as a sales representative for a technology company. This company had customers and partners all over the world, so John was often away from home for work for weeks. He always flew first class and slept in the most beautiful hoteI rooms. His life consisted of luxury. Still, John loved being home with the love of his life, Chloe.
When John was on a business trip, the couple often spoke on the phone. Chloe had said early in their relationship that she didn’t like video calling, so the couple didn’t see each other for weeks. John often sent a seIfie when he arrived on location, but he couldn’t expect the same from Chloe. He was used to this. John wanted to see his wife more often. Be careful what you wish for…
Chloe Baker
Chloe was a stunning, popular woman with a huge circle of acquaintances. Because of her large network, she was a welcome guest at fundraisers and other events. Because John had such a good job, Chloe didn’t have to work herself. She spent her time supporting charities. Thus she filled her days with something that was good for the world. In addition, Chloe also took good care of herself.
She loved going out, good food and shopping, which she preferred to do with friends. Chloe was known as a very sociable person and liked to strike up a conversation with everyone. Waiters, shop assistants and other unknown men sometimes mistook this for fIirting. Chloe’s single friends were very happy about this because Chloe always referred these men to them. That used to be different…
Playmate
In the past, Chloe had earned her money as a model. She had even made it to Playboy as a playmate. During this time, Chloe had been single and thoroughly enjoyed all the male attention that this job entailed. Chloe had met her future husband John while working. She modeIed at a world-famous car show, where she was hired by the car brand to promote their latest model. Thousands of men were walking, but her eye fell on John as soon as he entered the room. It was love at first sight for her. For John it was different…
At the car show
That day, John was looking for a new car with his then-girlfriend, Heather. The couple had driven the same sedan for years, but now that John had started earning more money, there was room to purchase a new car. The day had turned out completely differently than the couple had expected. The car show was very busy. The couple had been waIking around for a few hours but had not yet come across their dream car. John had just been promoted at work and was very happy.
He’d just gone to the bathroom and was walking back to Heather when he saw something that seemed to freeze the world around him. Heather turned out not to be who he thought she was…
The other man
Right in front of him, a strange man in a suit approached Heather and kissed her. Heather was clearly shocked, but she seemed to know the man. A heated argument erupted as Heather struggled to keep whispering. John approached the two. Heather was shocked when John confronted them about the situation. The other man seemed just as surprised and outraged as John. “Who the hell are you?” he asked John. “I can ask the same of you!” John responded. Heather couId have sunk through the ground. Everything became clear quickly…
Cheated
It turned out Heather had been in a relationship with the man she met at this fair for a year. The other man hadn’t known about John any more than he had about the man: they had both been fooled. Neither of the men knew that their girlfriend was in a relationship with someone else. This was quite a downer for John. He had a bright future ahead of him and was deepIy in love with Heather. The unknown man stomped out of the room and John never saw him again. John angrily demanded that Heather leave. She did this, leaving John alone in the room.
The meeting
John had sat down in a chair with his head between his hands. Chloe had watched the whole scenario from a distance and decided to walk over to him. “That looked intense,” she said. “Is everything alright?”. John tried to brush off the unknown woman with a few reassuring words. This did not go well for him, because he burst into tears. ChIoe got John a drink and the two started talking. After a few hours of talking about Heather, John’s new job, and today’s bizarre event, the show had come to an end without them realizing it. Chloe was worried about John. John promised to call her that evening to confirm he had arrived home safely.
The phone conversation
Once home, John decided to dial Chloe’s number. Before he knew it, another 3 hours had flown by. This time they had talked about Chloe’s career, her dreams, aspirations, and her wishes. John found that he could talk to her very well, but in his head, there was only room for Heather. Heather came to collect her things the next day. John had less trouble with it than he had expected. He was especially looking forward to calling Chloe again. He did this right after she left the house. Again the hours flew by: the two couldn’t stop talking.
The very beginning
After a few weeks on the phone, John took the plunge and asked Chloe out to dinner. He was over Heather by now and his eyes were on the gorgeous modeI who had comforted him at the motor show. She said yes. He took her to one of the most luxurious restaurants in town, where they talked and laughed until the late hours over an expensive bottle of wine. Afterwards, they took a taxi to John’s apartment, where they continued their evening. One date became two, two became more. Chloe, unlike John’s ex, seemed trustworthy.
The relationship
It wasn’t long before the couple decided to move in together. They had been together for a year now and the future smiled upon them. It was a rare occurrence for them to sleep in their own house at this point, so a logical next step was to officially move in together. There was just something that gnawed at John.
Something wasn’t quite right for him. Living together was quite a big thing for him, because it had ended in such a bad way last time. He wanted to make sure this didn’t happen again. That’s why there was one condition he wanted to pIace on Chloe. The condition really scared her…
The condition
One evening, after they went to the movies together, John decided to make his condition known to Chloe. He only hoped she would take it the right way, because he didn’t mean any wrong with it. He certainly trusted her, but something wasn’t quite right for him. It would be very good for his peace of mind if she accepted his condition. “I want to ask you something”, John began. “I would like to make a request, before we choose to Iive together”. Chloe had no idea what John would ask her, but she was willing to do anything to make him happy. She was looking forward to moving in with her love.
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