My ex’s new wife always tried to buy my daughter’s love with expensive gifts, while I worked two jobs just to provide for her. When my daughter got married, I gifted her a hand-knit blanket made with love. Her stepmom presented her with a “diamond” necklace, and my daughter barely looked at my gift as she admired the jewelry in front of everyone.

The next day, my daughter arrived in tears. The necklace wasn’t real — it was rented moissanite — and the rental contract had been placed in her name. The entire moment was staged by her stepmom just to outshine me. My daughter apologized, devastated she had brushed me aside.

I forgave her. She cut ties with her stepmom — not because I asked her to, but because her husband demanded they draw a boundary after seeing the manipulation firsthand.

Now I’m a grandmother, and that blanket — once ignored — is wrapped around my grandbaby every day. Turns out real love can’t be bought, and handmade warmth lasts longer than borrowed diamonds ever could.