When they learned that their father retired, the three sons immediately competed to take him home: ‘At first I thought the children were filial, but in fact they were all schemers!’

My wife passed away early, leaving me to raise our three sons alone. For years, I poured my heart into giving them a stable life. Watching them grow up, find jobs, and start their own families filled me with pride and happiness. I had promised my late wife that I would care for our children, and I believed I had fulfilled that promise. With my retirement approaching, I looked forward to a peaceful old age.

But life had other plans.

When I retired, the selfishness of my sons slowly came to light, leaving me ashamed of how I had raised them. I realized that my efforts to raise them as honorable men had failed.

A Life of Sacrifice

For years, I lived as a single father, balancing work and childcare. My wife passed away when our sons were in middle and high school. I worked tirelessly, often coming home late at night, leaving little time to guide them closely.

Despite the challenges, my sons were well-behaved and diligent in their studies. They even divided household chores among themselves, making me proud. During that time, a female colleague expressed interest in me and offered to help care for my children. But when I introduced her to my sons, they strongly opposed the idea.

My eldest boldly stated:
“We’re happy as a family right now. We don’t want a stranger in this house. If you bring her here, I’ll move to Grandma’s house.”

Not wanting to disrupt my children’s lives, I ended the relationship and resolved to remain single, prioritizing my sons’ well-being over my own happiness.

I believed my sacrifices would be rewarded. Friends and neighbors assured me that my devotion would lead to a fulfilling old age surrounded by loving children. But when I announced my retirement, I saw their true colors.

The Retirement Revelation

Last week, I officially retired. My colleagues threw a small, warm farewell party. After decades of being busy with work and surrounded by people, retirement felt jarring. Unsure of how to fill the coming days, I invited my sons and their families over for dinner to share the news.

During the meal, my eldest son suggested I move in with him, citing concerns about my health and the risk of living alone at my age. Before I could respond, my two younger sons also volunteered to take me in, promising to care for me.

At first, I felt immense gratitude, thinking their offers came from love and devotion. But my joy was short-lived.

A Painful Discovery

While I was away from the table, I overheard a heated argument among my sons. My eldest insisted he should have the right to care for me as the eldest son. But my youngest bluntly accused him:
“You only want Dad to live with you so you can control his pension! If he didn’t have a $1,000 monthly pension, would you still want to take care of him?”

Furious, the eldest retorted:
“And you think you’re any different? You both just want Dad’s pension! Don’t forget, when Dad was hospitalized and the bill came to $200, you two disappeared and left me to pay. Don’t act like you’re selfless.”

My daughters-in-law sat silently, saying nothing. But in that moment, everything became clear.

A Heartbreaking Reality

Hearing their argument shattered me. I had believed my sons’ intentions were genuine, but they were motivated by greed. Their concern for me wasn’t about love or gratitude—it was about my pension.

I couldn’t help but wonder: if I didn’t have this pension, would they even care about me?

My health has been declining, and I can no longer live alone. But after learning the truth, I no longer want to stay with any of them. Now, I face a painful dilemma: where should I go?

This experience has left me questioning everything. The sacrifices I made, the love I gave—all of it feels hollow now. I only hope my story serves as a lesson to others about the importance of instilling true values in their children.