\nEverything began the day my son, Ryan, introduced me to a woman nearly two decades older than him and declared she would be moving in. I didn’t say much at first, but I had a strategy in mind. Let\u2019s just say that by the time they grasped the consequences of their choices, it was already too late.\n
For years, my deepest desire was to see Ryan content and settled with someone who cherished him as much as I did. That longing only grew stronger after my husband passed away three years ago.\n
However, I never imagined my wish would materialize in such an unexpected manner.\n
Throughout my life, I had been fortunate. I had a devoted husband, two amazing children, and a home filled with warmth and laughter.\n
Daniel, my husband, had been a man who provided stability and security. When he passed, it felt as though the foundation beneath me had disintegrated.\n
\n
Since then, I\u2019ve done my best to move forward, though some days proved to be more challenging than others.\n
My daughter, Bella, has always been my reliable and diligent child. Even in her early years, she took pride in excelling at school.\n
It was no shock when she graduated at the top of her class and secured an excellent job in another city. Bella remains single, and while I sometimes wish she\u2019d settle down, she\u2019s always been self-sufficient and driven.\n
Then there\u2019s Ryan, my youngest, the free spirit of the family.\n
As a child, academics never interested him. His universe revolved around video games, comic books, and joking around with friends. Convincing him to complete his homework felt like an endless battle with a stubborn mule.\n
But something shifted in his late teenage years. Maybe watching his friends focus on their futures gave him a wake-up call, or perhaps he just realized gaming wasn\u2019t a viable career.\n
Whatever the reason, Ryan began putting in the effort. He eventually earned his diploma and secured steady employment.\n
He wasn\u2019t destined to be the CEO of a tech empire, but he was responsible and earning a living, and that was enough for me.\n
Nowadays, Ryan\u2019s biggest passion is traveling. He constantly saves money for his trips, embarks on new adventures, and returns with tales of his experiences.\n
It brings me joy to see him so enthusiastic about life, though I secretly wish he\u2019d focus more on building his future rather than planning his next getaway.\n
At 30, he still resides with me, which I don\u2019t mind. After losing Daniel, his presence has been a source of comfort.\n
Yet, like any mother, I yearn for more for him. I want him to find a partner who brings him joy, someone he can build a life with.\n
After Daniel\u2019s passing, this desire only intensified. It\u2019s not about wanting grandchildren\u2014I just want Ryan to experience the deep love and companionship I shared with his father.\n
\u201cRyan,\u201d I\u2019d often ask, \u201cis there someone special in your life?\u201d\n
He\u2019d chuckle and wave off my question. \u201cMom, you\u2019ll be the first to know.\u201d\n
I can\u2019t say if I was truly the first, but he eventually revealed it to me after returning from France.\n
He opened up over dinner one evening.\n
\u201cSo, Mom,\u201d he began, absently twirling his fork, \u201cI met someone on my trip.\u201d\n
\u201cReally?\u201d I perked up. \u201cTell me everything!\u201d\n
He shared that her name was Lydia, and they crossed paths at an art gallery in Paris.\n
\u201cShe\u2019s intelligent, witty, and we just\u2026 connected,\u201d he said, his face glowing with excitement.\n
\u201cAnd what does she do?\u201d I inquired, eager for details.\n
\u201cShe curates art collections for elite clients. She\u2019s incredibly knowledgeable about art, and I love her passion for it.\u201d\n
\u201cShe sounds wonderful!\u201d I exclaimed. \u201cWhen do I get to meet her?\u201d\n
\u201cNot yet,\u201d he replied, shaking his head. \u201cI want to take things slow, Mom. Get to know her better first.\u201d\n
That was enough for me. For months, I daydreamed about the moment I would finally meet this remarkable woman.\n
I envisioned her as young, lively, and energetic. Little did I know that my expectations were about to be shattered in a way I never saw coming.\n
Months after he first spoke of Lydia, Ryan approached me with an elated expression.\n
\u201cMom,\u201d he said, standing in the doorway with his hands in his pockets, \u201cI think it\u2019s time you met Lydia.\u201d\n
\u201cReally? That\u2019s fantastic, Ryan!\u201d I clapped my hands, already picturing the vibrant young woman who had captured my son\u2019s heart.\n
\u201cShe\u2019s free this Friday,\u201d he said. \u201cHow about we all have dinner together?\u201d\n
\u201cAbsolutely!\u201d I agreed without hesitation. \u201cI\u2019ll make lasagna. Everyone loves lasagna.\u201d\n
I wanted everything to be flawless, ensuring the house was spotless.\n
I pictured Lydia as a bright, youthful woman who adored Ryan and would see me as a motherly figure. I even selected my best dress and styled my hair, making sure I appeared modern enough to blend with the young couple.\n
When Friday arrived, I was brimming with anticipation. The lasagna was baking, the table was set with my finest china, and I was tossing the final ingredients into the salad when the doorbell rang.\n
\u201cThat must be her!\u201d I called out.\n
Ryan eagerly opened the door while I wiped my hands on a towel. My excitement was palpable\u2014until I stepped into the living room and froze.\n
Standing there was Lydia. But she wasn\u2019t the youthful woman I had imagined.\n
She was refined, possibly only five years younger than me.\n
Her hair was elegantly styled, and her sleek attire radiated sophistication. She appeared more suited to attending a wine-and-cheese gathering with me than dating my son.\n
\u201cMom, this is Lydia,\u201d Ryan introduced proudly.\n
\u201cHello, Celine!\u201d Lydia greeted warmly, extending her hand.\n
\u201cHi,\u201d I murmured, shaking her hand limply.\n
Ryan remained oblivious to my astonishment as he led Lydia to the dining area, chatting animatedly.\n
I followed in a daze, wondering if I had stumbled into a parallel universe.\n
As we ate, Ryan eagerly shared their future plans.\n
\u201cMom,\u201d he said, \u201cLydia\u2019s moving in with us.\u201d\n
I nearly choked on my drink. \u201cShe\u2019s moving in? Here?\u201d\n
\u201cYes,\u201d he replied, as if it were completely natural. \u201cIt makes sense. We\u2019ll save money, and she can help around the house.\u201d\n
Lydia beamed. \u201cI think it\u2019ll be wonderful, Celine. I\u2019d love to make things easier for you.\u201d\n
I didn\u2019t require assistance\u2014I had managed just fine on my own. But before I could protest, Ryan continued.\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not just about saving money, Mom. I love her. I think she\u2019s the one.\u201d\n
While I always delighted in Ryan finding love, this time, my stomach churned. How could he be happy with a woman so close to my age?\n
As days passed, my concerns grew. Lydia slowly took over the house\u2014monopolizing the bathroom, using groceries without sharing, and even redecorating without consulting me.\n
When she suggested I move to the basement\u2014or better yet, live with Bella\u2014I knew I had to act.\n
So, I signed the house over to Ryan.\n
A month later, Lydia called in a panic. They hadn\u2019t anticipated the financial burdens\u2014mortgage, utilities, and property taxes.\n
\u201cYou wanted to be the lady of the house,\u201d I said calmly. \u201cNow, act like one.\u201d\n
Realizing their mistake, they begged me to take back the house, which I did.\n
But by then, the damage had been done. I learned a valuable lesson about my son and his priorities.\n
And while I still love him, I\u2019ve decided it\u2019s time to start prioritizing myself.\n
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