Hindsight can be painful. Looking back, the signs were obvious, but I ignored them.
It started when I met James at a coffee shop. Charming and confident, he swept me off my feet, and four months later, he proposed. Despite others’ doubts, I believed he was my forever.
Our wedding was perfect, and my mom was overjoyed, praising James as the perfect match. Our relationship had always been complicated, especially after my difficult breakup with Nick and a health scare when I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. My mom became overprotective, treating me like I was fragile, and I didn’t realize how far her control would go.
One Thanksgiving, I overheard a conversation between James and my mom. James admitted he was only with me for the money, and my mom had paid him to marry me. My world shattered. I found bank statements confirming her payments, and my mom’s protective nature had turned into manipulation.
I confronted them on Christmas Eve. I presented my mom with the evidence of the payments, exposing their betrayal in front of the family. My mom claimed she did it to ensure I wouldn’t be alone, but I realized it was about control, not love. I left, filing for divorce soon after. James didn’t contest it.
Months later, I’m healing. Therapy has helped me rebuild my self-esteem, and I’ve reconnected with friends who remind me of my worth. Though the pain lingers, I finally feel free.