When her stepson Josh moved in at 16, he made it clear she wasn’t welcome. “You’re not my mom,” he often sneered, mocking her hobbies and background. Though she tried to connect, he rejected her kindness. When Josh’s college costs became an issue, she offered to pay his tuition. He cruelly replied, “You can’t buy your way into being my mom,” and even David, her husband, agreed.

Years later, Josh called—only to ask her to help fund his \$75,000 destination wedding. “It’s not like you’ll be there,” he said, “but if you actually care about this family, you’ll help.” She refused, and David accused her of ruining the chance to fix things.

So she invited them for dinner, seemingly ready to give in. She presented a contract: she’d pay for the wedding, but Josh must call her “Mom” and include her in family life. Josh signed—then she burned the check and handed David divorce papers.

“You just proved I could buy my way in,” she said. “I just had to find the right price.”

Walking away, she left them stunned. “I don’t want to be part of a family where my only value is as a checkbook.”