From the day I married Jake, his mom Sharon made it clear she didn’t approve of me. Her subtle insults about my appearance stung, but I stayed silent for Jake’s sake. When I got pregnant, Sharon suddenly took charge, planning a gender reveal dinner she called “small” but I sensed something was off.

The night of the reveal, the house was packed with over 25 people, far from the intimate gathering I expected. Sharon greeted me warmly, but the crowd and her fake cheer made me uneasy. Jake noticed too and confronted his mom quietly, but she brushed it off like it was no big deal.

Then came the toast instead of celebrating, Sharon publicly mocked my nose, comparing it to hers and hoping the baby wouldn’t inherit mine. The room erupted in uncomfortable laughter, but Jake stood up for me with a heartfelt speech about love and respect, calling out his mother’s cruelty.

We left immediately after, feeling relieved and united. Jake vowed to protect me and our daughter from toxicity, no matter the cost. Though it hurts to keep Sharon at a distance, I know our family’s peace and safety must come first.