Everything was perfect—until it wasn’t. I was about to marry my college sweetheart, the love of my life, when his mother, Anna, made demands that changed everything.

Two days before the wedding, she called me. “If you want to marry my son, you need to pass a criminal background check.” She also insisted on medical tests and that I sign a document waiving any claim to assets gained during our marriage.

I was stunned. I had never committed a crime, aside from a few traffic tickets. The idea of being treated like a potential criminal or gold-digger was both insulting and heartbreaking.

When I told my fiancé, he was just as shocked. “She said what?” he asked, his face filled with disbelief. “This isn’t fair.” We both realized this wasn’t just about us—his family wanted control.

As much as we loved each other, I couldn’t marry into a family that didn’t trust me. With heavy hearts, we called off the wedding.

Love isn’t enough without respect. Walking away was painful, but I knew I had to choose myself. If something feels wrong, trust your instincts. You deserve love that comes without conditions.