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, I went to Lisa’s house. Ric’s parents were inside but refused to let me in. Eventually, Ric’s mother opened the door and told me bluntly that we weren’t welcome at the wedding because we “influenced Lisa too much.” She claimed Lisa was “like them now” and that we should just pay our part of the wedding bill. Then, she revealed they had moved into Lisa’s house — which was still under my name. That was the final straw, I called Lisa and gave her 10 days to leave the house. Then, David and I sold it. Ric’s family lost what they thought was theirs. This bold move was the wake-up call Lisa needed. She’s still with Ric but now lives alone in a small apartment near her hospital job. As for Ric’s family? I don’t know where they are — but I do know they learned a valuable lesson. And with the money from the sale? We bought Leah a car