I believed having a baby would bring my husband, Bill, and me closer, but his controlling mother, Jessica, had other plans. She constantly belittled me and took over my pregnancy, even forcing her way into doctor’s appointments. When we learned we were having a girl, she sneered, “You couldn’t even give my son a boy. He needed an heir.”

During labor, I nearly died from blood loss. When I woke, Jessica had already held my baby before me. She even refused to hand her over, saying, “But then you’ll always be taking her away from me!”

Weeks later, Jessica presented Bill with a fake DNA test, claiming Eliza wasn’t his. Without hesitation, he ordered us to leave. Heartbroken, I took his toothbrush and got a real test. When I returned with proof, he whispered, “Carol, I’m so sorry.” But it was too late.

“You didn’t stop to think about me or Eliza,” I told him. “I want full custody.” As I walked away, I knew my daughter and I would be just fine—without him.