My Stepmom Crashed My Birthday and Made the Most Ridiculous Demand

My birthday dinner was perfect until my stepmom, Kathleen, stormed into the restaurant, accusing me of betraying the family for not accommodating her and my stepbrother Benjamin’s restrictive diets. For seven years, since my dad married her, I’ve dealt with their food drama. Benjamin, allergic to peanuts and shellfish, only ate specific foods like pizza and burgers. Kathleen had her own rigid food rules, once sending back chicken for uneven char lines.

Their complaints turned every meal into a spectacle. Suggesting a restaurant they didn’t approve of led to guilt trips, with Kathleen claiming they’d “starve.” After moving out, I savored cooking freely, like garlicky shrimp pasta. For my birthday, I planned a drama-free dinner with my fiancé, mom, and friends, excluding Kathleen and Benjamin. My dad understood, but Kathleen crashed the dinner, publicly shaming me.

Before I could respond, my mom stood up, calmly dismantling Kathleen’s tantrum. She called out their constant need for control, silencing Kathleen. The restaurant watched as Kathleen, humiliated, stormed out. Later, she texted about “family first,” but I ignored her. My mom’s defense was the best birthday gift—she showed Kathleen her manipulation wouldn’t work anymore.