My mom always had control over my life. She picked my clothes, chose my friends, and even hid my college acceptance letter from NYU—because she didn’t want me to leave her. I stayed home, gave up my dreams, and tried to make her happy. Dating was nearly impossible. Every guy left once they saw how involved my mom was. But then I met Colin. He was different. Patient, kind, and somehow even managed to get along with her. A year later,

he proposed—and I said yes. That’s when things got worse. My mom took over our wedding completely. She picked the venue, the food, even my dress. It felt like her wedding, not mine. Then, she dropped a surprise—she expected to live with us after the wedding. When I said Colin and I were moving into his place, she lost it. A few days later, she suddenly became “ill.” Coughing,