But over time, Tina began quietly mentioning my son’s infidelity. At first, I thought she was joking or confused. Soon, her calm explanations and the evidence she showed made it undeniable—my son had cheated on her more than once. I felt ashamed and heartbroken by what he had done.
I apologized to Tina and told her honestly that if she ever chose to leave him, I would support her. She deserved kindness and respect. But Tina forgave him repeatedly, hoping, I think, that he would change for their child’s sake.
Months later, my son called, cheerful and unmoved, to tell me he was filing for divorce. He said he had met someone “better suited” to him. Tina was left alone with a one-year-old, living in a small rented room and working constantly just to stay afloat.
Then he called again—this time inviting us to his new wedding. When I asked him why he cheated on Tina, he laughed and said he simply “deserved someone better.” His casual cruelty stunned me. I hung up the phone, unable to say another word.
On the day of his wedding, my husband and I made our own choice. We drove past the venue and went instead to Tina’s small room. She opened the door holding her crying baby, exhausted and overwhelmed. The room was cramped and quiet except for the child’s cries.
I helped her with the baby and with dinner, while my husband fixed a broken cabinet door. We stayed for hours. That night, we decided that even if our son had abandoned his family, we never would.