When parents divorce, it often brings pain and distress to their children.
However, in my case, I felt relieved. I still loved both my mother and father, but their marriage had been difficult to watch.
As I got older, I encouraged my mom to find someone new. She often expressed how lonely she felt, especially during quiet evenings at home. So, when she called me one day, her voice filled with excitement as she announced she had a boyfriend she wanted me to meet, I was genuinely happy for her.
To make introductions, she invited me over for dinner. All I knew about him was that his name was Aaron and that he was a pastry chef.
Wanting to make a good impression, I picked up a bottle of wine on my way. Given my tight budget, it was a luxury—one that meant I’d be eating instant noodles for the rest of the week. I was struggling financially, saving every penny to achieve my dream of opening my restaurant.
As I arrived at my mom’s house, a wave of nervousness washed over me. Within seconds, the door swung open.
“Casey! You’re finally here!” My mom beamed. “We’ve been waiting! I was just about to call you when the doorbell rang!”
I gave her a reassuring nod. “I’m sure everything will be fine. You chose him, so how can I not support you?”
We walked into the dining room together, but the moment I stepped in, my stomach twisted.
Standing near the table was a man about my age, with dark hair, a neatly trimmed beard, and a confident posture. I glanced at my mom, who kept smiling as if everything was perfectly normal.
She looked between me and him, waiting for my reaction. But I was speechless, frozen in place.
