After 7 Years of Calls, He Finds His Mom’s Home Empty—The Truth Is Heartbreaking

A woman got a good job just as her son went to college. She paid for all his needs after that. Seven years passed, and they only talked through video calls. One day, he came back home and couldn’t believe what he found.

“Chris, don’t worry about anything. I’ll pay for whatever you need. Just call me,” Olive told her son at the train station. He was leaving for New York to start college, and she had finally landed a well-paying job.

For most of his life, Olive couldn’t afford much. She raised him alone and went to school at night. His gifts were always second-hand, but he always had food and a roof over his head. Still, Olive felt guilty for not giving him what other kids had.

Now, with a good salary, Olive could give Chris anything he wanted.

“Thank you, Mom,” Chris said as he hugged her and got on the train.

Years later, Chris came back to his childhood home. He knocked, but no one answered. Looking through the window, he was shocked—there was nothing inside.

“Mrs. Franklin, you should visit! I’m so big now!” Chris’ fiancée, Rosalie, said during a video call.

Chris had met Rosalie during his junior year of college. They were about to graduate when Rosalie found out she was pregnant, so they got engaged. Olive hadn’t met Rosalie in person because both of them were busy with their studies, and Rosalie couldn’t travel during her pregnancy.

Olive couldn’t visit either because she worked long hours, even though she had a good salary. She was paying for Chris’ tuition, rent, and other expenses while living frugally herself.

“Soon, Rosalie! I hope to meet you soon, when I get a free moment,” Olive said with a smile.

Chris appeared on the screen after Rosalie left the room.

“Mom, I need to ask you something,” he began nervously. “Rosalie and I are about to graduate and have a baby. We found a house in New Jersey and need help with the down payment. It reminds me of home.”

Olive thought for a moment. “I’m not sure, Chris,” she said hesitantly, thinking about her savings and retirement plans.

“Please, Mom,” Chris begged. He explained how much money they needed and that Rosalie didn’t have family support.

“Alright, Chris. I think we can work something out,” Olive said finally. She would have to use all her savings and live even more simply, but it was possible.

“Thank you so much, Mom! I don’t know what I’d do without you!” Chris said, tearing up. Olive smiled, knowing her sacrifices were worth it.

“I wish you could come this Christmas,” Olive said during another video call. Chris had been gone for seven years and hadn’t visited their hometown in Maryland. She missed her granddaughter and hated only seeing her on screen, but everyone was busy.

“We can’t, Mom. Not this year,” Chris replied. “But thank you for the gifts you sent Mallory. She loves them. You’re an amazing grandma.”

“Put her on the screen,” Olive said softly, watching her granddaughter and wishing she could hold her.

Chris was finally planning to visit his mom. He couldn’t afford tickets for Rosalie and Mallory, but he was excited to see her.

When his taxi pulled up to the house, Chris was confused. It was 9 p.m., but the house was dark. The porch furniture was gone, and the garden was overgrown. Even the welcome mat was missing.

He knocked on the door, but no one answered. Looking through the window, he saw the house was empty.

“Chris? Is that you?” someone called.

Chris turned to see Mrs. Torres, the elderly neighbor who had lived next door for years.

“Mrs. Torres! Do you know where my mom is?” he asked, frowning.

“Oh, dear. Your mother sold the house two years ago,” Mrs. Torres said. “She moved away. The new owners left recently, so no one lives here now.”

“She never told me,” Chris said, confused. “Do you know where she moved?”

Mrs. Torres nodded and gave him an address. Chris noticed the address was in a less desirable part of town. “Do you know why she moved there?” he asked.

“No idea, honey. But I know she has a roommate now,” Mrs. Torres said with a shrug.

Chris got back into the taxi and headed to the new address. He arrived at an old apartment building in a run-down area. There was no security, and the building looked poorly maintained.

Chris knocked on the door, and Olive opened it, shocked to see him.

“Chris! What are you doing here?” she asked.

“Mom! What’s going on? Why did you sell the house?” Chris asked, bewildered.

Olive sighed and let him inside. She explained that when he asked for help buying the house, she had used up her savings. When he needed money for his business, she had no choice but to sell her home and give him almost all the profit.

Chris was stunned. “Why didn’t you tell me, Mom? I wouldn’t have asked if I’d known!”

“I wanted you to succeed,” Olive said. “I felt I had failed you when you were younger, and I just…”

“Mom, you gave me everything I ever needed. I shouldn’t have asked for more. I’m so sorry. I’m sorry for not checking on you, for not visiting, for making you live here with a roommate,” Chris said, tears streaming down his face.

Olive started crying too, and they hugged tightly. That night, Chris called Rosalie and explained everything. Together, they decided Olive needed to move closer to them.

Soon, Olive found a new job in New Jersey. Chris and Rosalie built an in-law suite for her so she could be part of her granddaughter’s life. Chris worked hard to repay every penny Olive had given him for the house and his business, which eventually became very successful. From then on, Olive never had to sacrifice anything for her son again.