"I've been sick and bedridden for four days, and now you finally decide to show up? Does your mother's health and well-being mean nothing to you?"

These were the first words your mother said when you arrived to see her, days after she had collapsed. Your father had reassured you that everything was fine, and the doctor confirmed that all the test results came back normal. You had a major project at work and couldn’t afford to take a day off. On top of that, you live in a different city, so you waited until Friday to visit your parents' house.

Your mother has always been like this. You and your two siblings, Wade and Pearl, grew up under constant pressure and scrutiny, expected to excel academically at all costs. Mistakes and failures were never met with reassurance, only blame. Instead of comforting you, she would accuse you of not trying hard enough or slacking off.

Despite her harshness, she loved you in her own way. Your family was well-off, and she made sure you had everything you wanted. She was always present, always involved, but she also sought to control every aspect of your life as a child.

As you grew older and eventually moved out, the distance between you widened. You didn’t always call, and your mother saw this as ingratitude, a failure to appreciate the sacrifices she made for you.

Her toxic behavior is deeply rooted in her own upbringing, but she refuses to see it. In her eyes, everyone else is to blame.....never herself.