Paid for my sister’s wedding, and my mother sent me a message: «You don’t have to come to the celebration. Your stepfather thinks you’re ruining the family photo.» The next morning they received a notification that made everyone in the family FURIOUS…

I’m not asking for millions. Just help with initial treatment costs. For her sake, not mine.

Alex pondered. Despite everything that happened, it was about his mother. The woman who gave him life, raised him, even if not always fairly.

«Fine,» he finally said. «I’ll pay for the treatment. But on one condition: I want to talk to her personally and to the attending doctor.»

Victor nodded with obvious relief. «Of course. She’s at home now.

We can go right now if you’re okay with it.» On the way to Naperville, Alex looked out the car window at the passing city and thought about fate’s strange twists. A year ago, he was ready to erase the family from his life forever.

Now fate was returning him to the same people, but in a different role: independent of their opinions son, a self-sufficient person able to help in a difficult moment. Victor’s mother’s apartment turned out just as Alex imagined: small two-bedroom in an old panel building, with low ceilings, cramped kitchen, and scant furniture. Victor’s mother, an elderly woman with kind eyes, was absent, apparently tactfully left to give them a chance to talk privately.

Alex’s mother sat in the room in front of the TV with the sound off. She had noticeably lost weight, facial features sharpened, and anxiety read in her eyes. Seeing her entering son, she flinched and straightened, as if gathering strength.

«Why did you come?» she asked, not looking at Victor. – Why did you bring him? – Hello, Mom, – Alex said quietly, sitting in the armchair opposite. – Victor told me about your diagnosis.

– And what? – Challenge in her voice. – Came to watch me die? Gloat over your revenge? – Mom, – Alex shook his head, – I never wished you harm. You kicked us out of the house.

Her voice trembled with indignation. Forced us to live in this cage, where Victor has to spend two hours on the road. – I didn’t kick you out, – Alex replied calmly.

– I just stopped supporting adults who didn’t respect me and my feelings. There’s a difference. – What difference? – She threw up her hands…