My Son Doesn’t Care That If I Give Him the Flat, I’ll Have Nothing Left to Live On

Its often said we are accountable for everything that happens in our lives, and that our choices shape our future. The decisions we make each day ultimately determine the life we lead.

Looking back, I see now that I made a poor decision when I chose to tie my future to a man who wasnt dependable. In my youth, I was absolutely smitten with Richard. Even though I knew he was quite a wanderer, I held onto the hope that he would change for my sake. I desperately wanted to believe, to keep hoping. But the truth is, people are who they are. Even after the birth of our son, Thomas, Richard continued with his reckless ways.

Every month brought new whispers about his escapades. Neighbours, friends, and even my own relatives would share the rumours. I felt utterly humiliated and deeply hurt, all at once. I endured it for five years before I finally decided it was enough. I filed for divorce. The silver lining was that Richard wasnt greedy. He agreed to leave his flat to me on the condition that I wouldnt claim maintenance. My son and I didnt want to live there, thoughinstead, we rented it out and moved in with my mother, who needed constant care. Thats how we got by.

The rent money was spent on my sonon clothes, school trips, outings, games. I tried hard to give him a decent childhood. My own earnings went on bills, groceries, and medicine for my mother, whod been bedridden for years with a chronic illness. I thought my son appreciated everything I did for him.

Now Im 57, living with diabetes, constantly injecting insulin and trying to keep going as long as I can. Because of my poor health, its impossible to hold down a job. Who would employ me now, anyway? I never had a proper pensionmy working life was scattered about in various jobs, never staying put for long. Most work I took was off the books, trying to scrape together as much as possible. So here I am, living off the income from the flat we rent out in Manchester.

My son, Thomas, is now 31. Just recently, he decided to get married. He told me he and his new wife were planning to move into the flat. I explained that if he did that, Id have no money coming in, nothing to live on. His reply was simply that my problems arent his concern.

Right now, I truly dont know what to do next. I have no savings left, I rely on medicine daily, I have to eat, and the bills have to be paid. What should I do? How can my own son turn his back on me like this? And why would he do such a thing?