It was supposed to be a normal afternoon. I had just gotten back from a work trip and was finally home to spend time with my family. I was exhausted but happy to be back.

Then, my 10-year-old son, **Ethan**, walked in from school.

“Hey, bud!” I greeted him warmly.

He barely looked at me. **”Hi,”** he muttered before disappearing into his room.

It stung. Maybe he was just tired, but still… Hadn’t he missed me at all?

I sighed and went back to cleaning. That’s when I heard his voice through the door.

At first, I wasn’t paying attention. But then, my hands **froze** on the laundry basket when I heard his next words.

**”Hi, Mom!”** he said cheerfully. **”Yeah, school was good today. I’ll tell you all about my grades tomorrow! I’m coming to see you instead of going to school, okay? See you tomorrow!”**

The air left my lungs.

**Who was he talking to?**

I was **his mom**. He only had **one mom**… right?

I felt lightheaded. Was there something my husband wasn’t telling me? Was my son keeping **a secret?**

I didn’t say anything that night. Didn’t confront my husband. Didn’t confront Ethan.

Instead, the next morning, when he left for “school,” **I followed him.**

I kept a safe distance as Ethan walked down the street, his backpack slung over one shoulder.

But then, instead of turning toward the school…

He walked **past it.**

My heart pounded as I watched him head toward a quiet residential area. He stopped in front of a house I didn’t recognize. It was small, with a pale blue door.

**Then, he knocked.**

A few seconds later, the door opened.

And standing there was a **woman I had never seen before.**

She smiled warmly and hugged him. **”Hey, sweetheart! You’re just in time for breakfast.”**

My vision blurred. My hands trembled.

Who **was she?**

And why was my son **calling her Mom?**