She won't see him as a grown, threatening man. She'll always see him as her son.

She'll have a history with him that extends all the way back through infancy. She'll have familial ties, regardless of whether or not those ties are blood ties.

He owes her his life, because without her he wouldn't have it.

It won't ever be the same as a random man who owes you nothing, has no reason to care about your wellbeing over his own self serving interests and that you have no history of beneficial affiliation with.

You can't make it be, to suit your narrative.