When my daughter Lisa accepted her boyfriend Ric’s proposal, I was over the moon. Ric always treated her with love and care, so naturally, I supported their relationship. As a graduation gift, my husband David and I bought Lisa a modest home — a reward for her dedication through medical school.

A few months later, she called and said Ric would be moving in. While David was hesitant, I believed Lisa was mature enough to make this decision. Soon, Lisa organized a family dinner so both families, could get to know each other. Things started off well. We were outside barbecuing, enjoying ourselves — until David and our younger daughter Leah came back from the kitchen looking stunned.

David simply said, “We need to go home. Now.” In the car, they told me they had overheard Ric and his parents discussing plans to exclude us from the wedding while expecting us to pay for it. The dinner was just a manipulation tactic. I was shocked. The next day…