My name is Kristen, I’m 60, and my story is not an easy one. When Claire was just three years old, her father walked out—no money, no phone calls, not even an apology. From that moment on, it was just the two of us.
I worked long shifts, skipped meals so she could eat, and even stitched her prom dress from coupon fabric because I couldn’t afford store-bought. I was her mom, her dad, her biggest cheerleader, and her shield from the world.
And Claire? She grew into everything I dreamed she would be—brilliant, determined, strong. She fought her way to a college scholarship, and I thought all the sacrifices had finally been worth it.
But then she met Zach. Polished. Traditional. Controlling. From the start, I felt his disapproval. He brushed off my sacrifices, hinting that Claire had succeeded in spite of me—not because of me.
When little Jacob, my first grandchild, was born, I was overjoyed… until Zach delivered the final blow. He told Claire I wasn’t welcome in their home. His reason? He didn’t want “single mom influence” anywhere near their child.
That moment shattered me. After everything I had endured, after everything I gave up… I was suddenly the enemy in my own daughter’s family.
