I met Jake when I was 22, working at a café, dreaming of becoming an interior designer. He was charming, attentive, and family-oriented — or so I thought.We got married, and suddenly his mother, Patricia, ran our lives. Every choice I made — from dinner to decor — had to pass her judgment. Jake never defended me.When our daughter Kelly was born, I hoped things would change. They didn’t. Jake kept choosing his family over ours.

Then one day, Jake and Patricia dropped a bomb: his brother Max had lost $2 million gambling, and they expected me to sell the condo I bought before marriage to bail him out.When I refused, Patricia threatened to take custody of my daughter.What they didn’t know? I’d already placed the condo in a trust under Kelly’s name and secured a lawyer. Within 24 hours, I filed for divorce, full custody, and a restraining order.Jake was served at work. Patricia raged. But legally, there was nothing they could do.Today, Kelly and I still live in her condo. Jake is crashing with his brother. And Patricia? Silent.I chose my daughter. I chose our future.Wouldn’t you have done the same?