Victoria’s children rarely called her—except on Christmas. This year, however, things seemed different. After her son, Matthew, discovered she was working as a cleaner at a furniture store, he stopped communicating with her entirely. Victoria feared she would spend the holidays alone until an unexpected knock on her door changed everything.

A Shocking Encounter
Victoria gripped her broom tightly as she paused her cleaning. Standing in the doorway of the furniture store was Matthew, her son, his wide-eyed expression frozen in shock.“Matthew!” Victoria called, a smile spreading across her face as she started walking toward him.

But before she could reach him, Matthew turned and hurried out of the store, leaving her standing there, confused and hurt.Matthew had always been her loving, affectionate child, but things had changed as he grew older. Shaking off her disappointment, Victoria resolved to speak with him later and returned to her work.

After her husband passed away ten years earlier, Victoria’s children, Matthew and Marina, convinced her to sell the family home. They wanted her to downsize into a small apartment and use the remaining money to help fund their businesses.