When my mother-in-law handed me an envelope at our anniversary party, I expected a sweet gesture, maybe even a playful joke. What I didn’t expect was a shocking bill, demanding compensation for raising my husband. What I did next? Let’s just say it’s something she never saw coming.

I’ve always had a rocky relationship with my mother-in-law, but this crossed the line. If you’ve dealt with a difficult in-law, you might think you’ve seen it all—but this was on another level.

Laura, my mother-in-law, is one of those people who think they know everything. From kitchen hacks to current events, she’s got an opinion, even when she’s completely clueless. And heaven forbid you disagree with her, because she’ll remind you just how “wrong” you are.

She also considers herself the epitome of motherhood. Laura has two sons, Edward and Michael. Edward, the younger, is my husband. But ask Edward about his mom, and you’ll hear a very different story.