One sunny afternoon, I decided to surprise my son, John, by visiting the restaurant he had built from the ground up. Dressed simply, in the modest style I’d always worn, I stepped off the bus and into his bustling establishment. The cozy atmosphere and gentle clink of cutlery filled me with pride. I planned to enjoy a quiet cup of tea, soaking in the joy of seeing my son’s dream come true.
But before I could settle in, a young woman approached with an assertive tone. Stylishly dressed and clearly confident, she told me the table was reserved and asked me to move. Though her words were firm, I quietly apologized and gave up my seat, feeling a little out of place in a setting that should have felt like home.
On the way back, emotions swirled inside me. I had spent years working hard to give John every opportunity. I had always believed his success was our shared triumph. But that moment had left me feeling unseen, like a stranger in his world.
The next day, I was excited to welcome John and his fiancée for lunch at my home. I set the table with my best china and prepared his favorite dishes. When they arrived, my heart skipped a beat—the young woman beside him was the same one from the restaurant. She smiled politely, and John introduced her as Sarah.
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