When my 12-year-old’s school announced a mother-and-son dinner, I took time off work, excited to make memories with him. But my heart broke when he shyly told me his stepmom was going instead. I was crushed, but I still showed up that evening, hoping to surprise him. When I arrived, he avoided me all night, and the distance between us felt unbearable. I couldn’t understand why my own son wouldn’t even look at me.
Later that night, my ex called. I could hear my son crying in the background, his small voice trembling. That’s when the truth came out — he hadn’t chosen his stepmom over me at all. He thought I was too busy with work and didn’t want to “bother” me by asking me to come. His stepmom, trying to help, said she’d attend if I couldn’t. Somewhere along the way, he misunderstood and believed I didn’t want to be there — something that couldn’t have been further from the truth.
