My husband and I had always hoped that our son Jason would one day take the reins of our family business. With that in mind, we strongly encouraged him to pursue a degree in business marketing at a respected university. Although footing the hefty college bills was challenging, we were committed as long as Jason was being groomed for a future as the CEO of the company my husband had founded.

Jason was always the kind of young man who made us proud. With straight A’s and a position as captain of the basketball team, other parents would often tell their children, “Be more like Jason.” His charm and diligence were undeniable.

Besides his scholastic and athletic prowess, Jason had a deep love for animals.

If ever there was a stray cat around, Jason was the first to provide it with a dish of milk. Time and again, he would express his desire to veer away from running the business, dreaming instead of a life like my brother Tom—a veterinarian and an adventurous soul who traveled the world without settling down.

When the time came for Jason to begin college, we convinced him to enroll in marketing. Though a bit hesitant, he complied with our wishes.

Over the years, we spent a considerable amount on Jason’s tuition and his living expenses. His updates about how his exams went always reassured us, given his past reliability.

Approximately two years into his college journey, I happened to be visiting the town where his university was located. Wanting to surprise him, I decided to stop by.

To my shock, when I inquired about his dorm at the university, the admissions office informed me that no one named Jason Reed was enrolled there. Even after insisting they double-check, the answer remained unchanged.

“Madam, are you sure you have the right university?” the woman asked politely, making me feel even more bewildered.

Still puzzled, I dialed Jason and casually asked where he was. “Hey, mom, I’m near campus. Let’s meet for coffee,” he replied with unruffled assurance, adding to my disarray.

When we met up, I queried him about his studies, and he described with zeal his preparation for midterms and the long nights of studying—still, something felt amiss.

Upon leaving, I discreetly slipped my fitness bracelet into his jacket to track his whereabouts later.

Following the GPS signal, I found myself in a secluded woodland, far from the bustling campus. Hidden away was a shabby trailer that looked as if it might collapse at any moment.

Aloud, I called Jason, whom I eventually spotted.

“Mom, what are you doing here?” Jason questioned, looking surprised.

“No, Jason, what are YOU doing here?” I replied, heart pounding.

Before he could answer, my brother Tom appeared from the trailer door, beaming.

“Hey, sis,” he greeted with a warm smile.

Rendered speechless, I confronted them. “Jason, are you even in university?” I demanded.

“No,” Jason confessed, eyes lowering.

“Then what about the tuition money? We’ve been sending it to you for two years!”

This was when the truth unfolded. Jason had channelled all the money we thought was for college into setting up a veterinary clinic.

“Uncle Tom will run the clinic,” he explained.

Initially, anger consumed me, and I left without another word. Together, my husband and I decided to halt any further financial support, feeling our trust had been sorely abused.

However, my emotions gradually shifted over the months. Curious about how he was faring, I ventured online to search for information about Jason’s clinic. There it was, complete with pictures of him beside grateful families and their pets. In every image, his happiness was undeniable.

I brought this discovery to my husband, reflecting on whether we had been wrong to steer Jason away from his dreams. Maybe supporting his passion for veterinary work was what we should have embraced all along.

Deciding to visit the clinic, we arrived, surprising both Jason and Tom. The anger had ebbed away, leaving pride in its place for Jason’s accomplishments.

Jason greeted us warmly, “Mom, Dad, you were the ones who made this clinic a reality. It was your tuition money that built this place.”

Tears welled up as I embraced him. “Jason, I’m so proud of you. Never stop being true to yourself,” I whispered.

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