I thought lending my car to my daughter-in-law would be a chance to mend our strained relationship. Instead, she returned it battered and covered in lies, refusing to pay for the damages. What I did next left her feeling helpless.I’m a 60-year-old woman who’s been living alone ever since my husband passed away five years ago. Nathan died after a tough battle with cancer, and there wasn’t much we could’ve done to save him. I still remember what he said to me the day before he closed his eyes forever.”Jennifer, always look after Toby,” he said as he held my hand. “I know he’s 30 and he can look after himself, but that boy is a bit too sensitive, and I know he’ll need his mother to support him.” He was right. Toby did need me in the days following Nathan’s death. I remember how we would sit together,

reminiscing about how Nathan used to take us to his favorite restaurant and make us all laugh.Toby and I would laugh and then cry thinking about the disturbing fact that we’d never see Nathan again. It made us feel devastated, but I guess that’s part of the healing process. However, things changed when Toby found someone to replace his aging mother. About a year after Nathan’s death, Toby introduced me to a beautiful 30-year-old woman named Layla, whom he met at work. She wore a lovely dress, her hair neatly tied back, perfectly dressed to meet her boyfriend’s mother. I had to admit that she knew how to make a strong first impression.”Hi, Jennifer,” she hugged me the first time we met. “How are you?” “I’m fine, thanks,”