When Margaret found a beautifully wrapped box on her doorstep, she immediately thought of her daughter-in-law, Anita. Who else would send such an extravagant gift? With a mix of curiosity and worry, Margaret unwrapped the box. Inside was a stunning white maxi dress. A note fell out: “Please wear this to the wedding. Love, Anita.” The words “Love, Anita” felt cold and insincere to Margaret. She suspected this was another attempt by Anita to provoke her. Their relationship had been strained ever since Anita and her son, James, got together.

I was determined to plan the perfect wedding for my daughter, Leslie, but her future mother-in-law had different ideas. What started as a fun project together soon turned into a battleground. Every decision became a struggle, and the dream of a perfect day seemed to slip further away with each argument. When Leslie and her fiancé, Scott, announced their engagement, I was thrilled. They were a perfect match, and I couldn’t wait to help plan their big day. But Scott’s mother, Jane, was just as eager—maybe even more so. Although