Growing up, my mom cared more about appearances than people. She nitpicked everything — especially my weight. When I got engaged to Marco, I thought maybe she’d finally be proud. Instead, she gave away my wedding fund — the one my late dad had set aside for me — to my cousin Elise, simply because she was “prettier” and more “likely” to get a real proposal.

I’m Casey, a 25-year-old chef who dreams of making films that move people. My dad always believed in me. He told me he’d cry proud tears at my wedding, and his savings for that day meant everything. So when Marco proposed in our messy kitchen, I said yes without hesitation, heart full of love and hope.

But Mom crushed that. At a family dinner, she announced she was giving my wedding fund to Elise. “Let’s not pretend this is a real engagement,” she sneered. “Elise has potential. Look at you.” I was humiliated. I wanted to disappear — until Elise stood up.

“I’m not taking it,” she said fiercely. “You’ve torn Casey down for years, and I won’t be part of it.” She called out Mom’s cruelty and praised me for everything I am. For the first time, someone in my family stood up for me — and it changed everything.

I walked away from Mom that night and toward my dreams. I applied to film school, postponed the wedding, and focused on becoming the woman I always wanted to be. Marco supported me completely.

When we finally married, it was on our terms — surrounded by love, laughter, and truth.