My son Michael surprised me with a cottage in the country, but once I got there, I realized it was all a ruse. After a while, I found out the real reason why he did it, and I still can’t forgive him. What would you do?
Hello! My name is Richard and I am 68 years old. I never thought I would ask strangers for advice, but here I am. I need an outside perspective on this issue.
For the record: I was a single dad for most of my adult life. My wife, Emma, died of cancer when our son, Michael (now 35), was just 10 years old.
A man and his son in a cemetery | Source: Midjourney
It was a difficult time for both of us, but we managed to get through it together.
Since then, we have been alone against the world. I have done my best to be both his mother and his father, trying to give him every chance possible.
Growing up, Michael was a good kid . He had his moments of rebellion, sure, but overall he was kind, hardworking, and seemed to have a good head on his shoulders.
A rebellious teenager | Source: Pexels
He did well in school, went to college on a partial scholarship, and landed a good job in finance after graduation.
I was always immensely proud of him, seeing him grow into what I thought was an accomplished adult.
We remained close even after he moved away, talking on the phone regularly and having dinner together at least once a week.
That’s why what happened over a year ago was such a shock.
Shocked elderly man | Source: Midjourney
It was a Tuesday evening when Michael came to my house, brimming with excitement. “Dad,” he said, “I have some amazing news! I’ve bought you a cottage in the country!”
“A cottage? Michael, what are you talking about? ”
“It’s perfect, Dad. It’s peaceful, serene, and just what you need. You’re going to love it!”
I was speechless. Moving to a cottage far away? This seemed like too much. “Michael, you didn’t have to do this. I’m perfectly happy here.”
A cottage in the countryside | Source: Midjourney
But he insisted! “No, Dad, you deserve it. The house you’re in now is TOO BIG FOR YOU ALONE. It’s time for a change. Trust me, it’s going to be great for you.”
I have to admit I was skeptical. The house I was living in had been our family home for over 30 years. It was where Michael grew up, where Emma and I built our life together.
A suburban house | Source: Pexels
But my son seemed so enthusiastic, so sure that this was the right decision. And I trusted him completely. After all, we had always been honest with each other.
So, against my better judgment, I agreed to move and sell my house.
Over the next few days, I packed my bags and prepared to leave, while Michael took care of most of the details. He assured me that everything was taken care of.
An elderly man grabbing a suitcase | Source: Midjourney
He was so helpful that I put aside my lingering doubts.
Finally, the day came for us to drive to my new home. As we got in the car, Michael talked about all the amenities this new place had to offer.
But as we got further away from the city, I began to feel uneasy. The landscape became more and more desolate. It was not a wood or a hill.
Barren fields next to a road | Source: Pexels
Our familiar neighbor and the bustling city streets were gone, and all that remained were empty, ugly fields and even an abandoned farm.
The cottages in the area, which Michael knew I had admired and considered buying when his mother was still alive, were cozy, welcoming places, surrounded by nature. This was quite the opposite .
“Michael,” I asked, “are you sure we’re going in the right direction? This doesn’t look like cottage country to me.”
A wide empty road | Source: Pexels
He assured me we were on the right track, but I noticed he wasn’t quite looking at my eyes.
After about another hour of driving, we turned into a long, winding driveway. At the end of it stood a large, boring building.
My heart sank when I read the sign: “Sunset Haven.”
Road leading to a sign for “Sunset Haven”, and a building in the background | Source: Midjourney
It wasn’t a cottage. It was a retirement home.
I turned to Michael, trying to hide my emotions. “What is this? What’s going on?”
“Dad,” he said, but he couldn’t even look me in the eye. “I’m sorry. I know I said it was a cottage, but… it’s better for you. We’ll take care of you here.”
“Am I being taken care of? I don’t need to be taken care of! I’m perfectly capable of living on my own. Why would you lie to me? “
An angry old man | Source: Midjourney
“Dad, please.” Michael finally turned to me, his eyes pleading. “You’ve been forgetting things lately. I’m worried about you living alone. This place has great facilities, and there will always be someone around if you need help.”
“Forgetting things? Everyone forgets things sometimes!” I shouted, and angry tears fell from my eyes. “This is not right, Michael. Take me home right now.”
Michael shook his head and dropped the real bombshell of the day. “I can’t do this, Dad. I… I already sold the house.”
Two men shaking hands behind a “Sold” sign | Source: Pexels
I felt like the ground had shifted out from under me. I knew I had agreed to sell, but I had plenty of time. I wanted to meet the new owners, pick out a nice family, and heck, tell them exactly how to take care of the old elm tree in the yard.
How could he sell it without my knowledge and consent?
I demanded answers, but Michael was evasive. He talked about power of attorney and what was best for me.
After that I closed my eyes and the next few hours were a blur.
A sad elderly man | Source: Midjourney
Somehow I ended up getting checked into Sunset Haven and was shown to a small room with a narrow bed and a window overlooking a parking lot.
The walls were a sickly beige and the air smelled of disinfectant and old people.
My old house still smelled like my wife’s cinnamon coffee cake, and I never changed her decorating choices. My only upgrades were new appliances when necessary, and Michael gave me an Alexa.
But now this sad, clinical place was my new home.
An empty, white clinical room | Source: Midjourney
I couldn’t do anything about it either. I thought about Michael’s words as I spent the next few days in shock and anger. Had I gone so far that I had forgotten everything?
Was it the right thing to do? Had I harmed Michael? Had I been diagnosed with dementia or something?
I couldn’t imagine any of this, but Michael’s look of guilt and worry left me doubtful.
The staff at Sunset Haven were nice enough and tried to get me involved in activities to make me feel welcome. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.
Medical staff | Source: Pexels
But also, if I really did forget everything, why did Michael put me here? I was an involved father. I was always at his school activities. I had a front row seat to everything.
This is the biggest betrayal I’ve ever felt. I know kids don’t owe us anything, but… I thought I raised him better.
It was during an afternoon when I was still ruminating over my feelings that I overheard a conversation that made things even worse.
I was sitting in the common room, pretending to read a magazine, when I heard two nurses talking in low voices not far away.
A common room in a retirement home | Source: Pexels
“Poor Mr. Johnson,” said one of them. “Have you heard of his son?”
“No, what happened?”
“Apparently he had some pretty big gambling debts. That’s why he sold his dad’s house and put him here.”
People at a blackjack table | Source: Pexels
I felt like I had been punched in the gut. Gambling debts? Was that the real reason for all this? Had my son sold me out, literally, to cover up his own mistakes?
I was even more devastated.
The son I had raised, the boy I thought I knew better than anyone, had abandoned me for selfish reasons.
I thought back to all the times I had helped him out of trouble, all the sacrifices I had made to give him a good life.
Memories of a man and his son | Source: Pexels
Luckily, fate intervened in the form of an old friend. Jack, a lawyer I had known for years, came to Sunset Haven to visit his sister and was shocked to find me there.
When I told him what had happened, he was outraged. He offered to check the legality of what Michael had done.
It turned out that the sale of my house had been rushed and several legal aspects had been overlooked . With Jack’s help, I was able to contest the sale.
A lawyer doing paperwork | Source: Pexels
After a long battle that ended with Michael having to return the money he took from the buyers and pay all legal fees, I finally got my house back and moved out of Sunset Haven.
Now this is where I need advice.
My son tried to apologize. He showed up at my house last week and I barely recognized him. He looked terrible, like he hadn’t slept or eaten properly in weeks.
When I brought him in, he collapsed.
A helpless man | Source: Pexels
He told me how he started gambling to cope with stress at work, how things got out of control, and how he convinced himself that selling my house and putting me in a nursing home was the best solution for everyone.
He swore he had gotten help for his addiction and was committed to making things right.
“I was wrong, Dad,” he sobbed. “Really wrong. Can you forgive me? ”
A sad man | Source: Pexels
Part of me wants to let bygones be bygones. He’s my son, and we only have each other in this world. But another part of me is still so angry and hurt.
How can I trust him again after what he did? He lied to me, manipulated me, and stole from my house to cover up his own mistakes.
Even if he’s really sorry now, how do I know he won’t do this kind of thing again in the future?
What would you do in my place?
A pensive old man in a colorful living room | Source: Midjourney
Read also: I heard my wife warn my son not to tell me what he saw – I rushed home and was shocked
This work is inspired by real events and persons, but has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, or to real events is purely coincidental and is not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims as to the accuracy of events or portrayal of characters and are not responsible for any misinterpretations. This story is provided “as is,” and all opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the opinions of the author or publisher.
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