My dad started charging me rent since I turned eighteen and then kicked me out when my stepmom got pregnant with my sister. But it turns out the house was owned by my grandpa. And when he found out what Dad did, he made him give back all my rent money and cover my new apartment. So now Dad wants me to move back in to save money.

Posted by u/zest_closedcharge281

I’m using a throwaway because if any of my friends or family see this, I don’t want them to know my main account since I have some very private things on there.

I (21F) lost my mom when I was fourteen. Dad remarried when I was seventeen. My stepmom has a daughter (15F). She and Dad had a boy (3M), and now she just gave birth to a little girl.

Anyway, I have worked since I was sixteen to have some money to buy stuff for me. When I turned eighteen, Dad said I was now an adult and should start paying rent. It was only $500—a symbolic amount—since he would still cover food and other essentials. I was mad and we fought, but in the end I accepted and that was the arrangement until seven months ago.

Dad came to me saying I had two months to move out. Stepmom was pregnant and they would need my room for the baby, which is insane because they both have private offices. My stepmom doesn’t even need one since she’s a stay‑at‑home mom since the birth of my baby brother.

Nonetheless, they told me I had to move. By the way, just an addendum: me and stepmom get along fine. We don’t fight or bicker. I don’t think this was an “evil stepmom” moment, but who knows? Me and stepsister are actually pretty close. I help her with homework and talk about her personal problems. I do love her very much.

Back to the story. I didn’t know what to do. I’m going to college. I want to be a civil engineer and work part‑time. I don’t have the means to live by myself. I called my aunt asking if I could move in with her for the time being until I figured something out. Offered to pay rent and all. She was aghast at what Dad was doing. She said I absolutely could live with her—no rent needed—but also said she was going to deal with my dad.

The next day, Grandpa came to our house and they talked privately. I could hear my dad’s angry voice, but couldn’t understand anything being said. After a while, Grandpa came to my room and said I had three choices: The first was to continue living with Dad and stepmom like I was doing—nothing would change except without paying rent. The second was moving in with him and Grandma or my aunt. Third was to find a place of my own and he would pay the rent and costs for me.

He said I didn’t need to choose now, I could keep living with Dad and if I changed my mind to just tell him. I was actually relieved I could still live with Dad and that this madness was over. But in the following days and weeks, Dad and stepmom were very hostile towards me and I felt incredibly uncomfortable being in my own home. Even Cassie picked this up and asked me why they were angry at me. So I decided to move out and told Grandpa. He said he would take care of everything.

A few weeks later, he moved me into one of his rental units. The apartment is lovely. He bought me a fridge, stove, and other essential items. He gave me a check for $15,000, saying this money was to help me start living on my own, and that as long as I am working or studying, I can live there rent‑free for as long as I want.

My dad and I have been pretty low contact since I moved out. He never came to visit me, nor I visit them. I miss them a lot, especially my stepsister, but I am still hurt.

Two weeks ago, my stepmom gave birth. I visited them in the hospital. It was a little awkward, but nice seeing them and my baby sister. Anyway, a few days ago, Dad calls me saying he misses me, the children miss me, and I should move back home. He apologized for asking me to move out, etc., etc., etc. And I told him I would think about it.

Yesterday, I visited my aunt and was telling her what my dad said, and my cousin laughed a little and said, “I’m sure he does.” I asked what he meant and that’s when they told me a lot of until‑now unknown information.

Basically, my dad’s home is actually my grandpa’s—as is my aunt’s. Basically, the deal he made with me, he did with all his kids and some grandkids as well. He never wanted any of his family to have to worry about basic stuff like housing and food, etc. When I called my aunt that time, she called Grandpa, who was furious with Dad, not only for kicking me out, but also for charging me rent. That day he went to my dad’s and tore him a new one and threatened to have him evicted.

But now the petty part. You know that 15k Grandpa gave me? It’s actually what I paid Dad in rent all that time. And now he’s making Dad pay him back. Also, he’s charging Dad $1,200 for the rent loss in the apartment I’m living in.

Call me dumb or naive, but until now I never realized my dad didn’t make that much money. We lived in a great house, always went on vacations, and lived very comfortable lives. I guess Grandpa has always been helping behind the scenes. Now my cousin thinks Dad is struggling with three kids at home, a single income, and having to pay it back to Grandpa. So he says Dad wants me back because he imagines Grandpa will stop punishing him if I’m back living with them.

Honestly, I don’t know what to do. I’m actually loving living on my own these past six months. But I do really miss them. I miss my siblings. I miss the life we had before all of this. I don’t know if moving back home is the right answer. And also, I’m hurt. The reason he wants me back is money. Honestly, I just wanted to vent.

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Top/Relevant Comments

Commenter One: I’m so very sorry that your father has hurt you so much. He doesn’t want you—he wants money. And knowing this is always going to hurt you and chip away at your self‑worth. I know it hurts, but going back is not healthy for you. You deserve people in your life who love you unconditionally and want to spend time with you because it’s you and without ulterior motives. How about starting new traditions with your aunt and grandparents? They love you and want you around. I wish you all the best.

Commenter Two: Nope. You stay right where you are. Listen to me: any man that would treat his kids like that ain’t worth the powder it would take to blow him up. I said what I said. I don’t hold a high opinion of your stepmother either, but that’s neither here nor there. I know this hurt you. My dad and I weren’t on speaking terms when he died. I spent years trying to have a decent relationship with him before giving up on it. I’ve been in your shoes, but he wants you back for the money, not because he misses you. You’ll be just as miserable as you were before. Right now, you have to protect your well‑being, including your mental health. I’m old enough to be your mama, so let me give you the advice I’d give my babies: stay put and go to school. You have extended family who are more than willing to support you. Lean on them. In school, you’ll meet friends who will become like family, and you’ll grow yourself a good support system there, too. This mess with your father won’t ever stop hurting, but don’t let it dominate your life. Your school should have some resources for counseling right there on campus. Start with them. You need someone to talk to about this. I’m so sorry about the loss of your mama. Also, drink your water and put on some sunscreen before you go outside. It’s getting hot. That part goes for all y’all.

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Update (8 Days Later)

I wanted to give you guys an update since you’ve all been so helpful and kind to me. I was so overwhelmed by the support you gave me. Thanks a thousand times.

Before just answering some questions people had: my aunt and grandpa are from my father’s side of the family. My mom’s side—unfortunately I don’t have much contact. My grandparents passed away before Mom. I have uncles and aunts I see once in a while, but they don’t live close. I also have two other uncles from my father’s side. I’m close to them, but not as near my aunt. She was my rock when Mom died. I consider her a second mom.

My stepmom knew about the rent I was paying. It was implied my stepsister would need to do the same when she turned eighteen. But I don’t know if she knew Dad didn’t own the house or the extent of how much Grandpa has financially helped Dad.

To the update: Monday, the day after my post, I called Dad and said I decided not to move back. I didn’t mention anything I was told, just that I was well settled here, and moving back seemed like a step back. But I also said I wanted to keep in contact with them. They could invite me for dinner whenever they wanted. And I also said I would love for my stepsister and brother to be able to spend time with me here at home.

He was disappointed, and I didn’t feel any angriness in his tone at least. But he basically said, “We’ll see,” and left it at that. I was also disappointed. But then Friday he called me, asked me if I wanted to have lunch Sunday (today). I said I already had plans with Grandpa and Grandma. He asked when I would be free, so we scheduled a dinner for Thursday.

I haven’t told any of this to my stepsister. We talk and text regularly. She also hasn’t heard them talking about me, but she did say her grandma—her mom’s mom—is there to help with the baby and is being incredibly annoying. I laughed at that. I wanted to offer her to sleep over here, but didn’t want to get her excited just for Dad to say no. So, I’ll try to talk with them Thursday.

The big update is I’ve just come back from visiting Grandpa and Grandma. We spent a lovely day together. But I also said I wanted to know everything that was going on. I wasn’t a kid anymore and I felt like living in lies. The most important things were things my cousin and aunt told me last week. But there were a few more.

Grandpa had been subsidizing quite often our basic needs like school, healthcare, etc., because Dad hasn’t one cent saved up, according to Grandpa. Also, my college fund was mainly contributed by him and Mom before her passing. I guess that makes sense. I was also dumb to not realize this sooner. He also has set up funds for my baby siblings and also one for my stepsister because he didn’t want her to feel excluded and not have the same opportunities as her siblings. This man is incredible. I love him so, so much. And yes, I’m very, very lucky. I’ve seen so many people commenting this—not in a derogatory way, but being very supportive and nice. I know I’m very privileged to have grandparents and family members who can afford and are willing to help me. I hope one day I can help others the way they are helping me.

Anyways, I also expressed worries about Dad’s financial situation and he assured me Dad is fine—more than fine. He will have to be less frivolous with money for a while, but he would never let any of his kids or grandkids suffer or be in need of anything. As many of you said, he’s trying to teach Dad a lesson he should have taught him a long time ago, so I’ll stay out of it. I don’t think I’ll tell Dad that I know all of this. I know many of you said to confront him, but I think it’s for the best if he continues thinking I’m oblivious.

Lastly, we talked about why Dad kicked me out. He didn’t have an answer either. I could see he and Grandma were very hurt by what Dad did. He said he asked for an explanation but got none.

That’s it for now. I’ll continue trying to have a relationship with my siblings outside of my dad and stepmom. I’ll also try to schedule some weekly dinners with them. I know what you guys said about my father is mostly true, but I need to at least try to have a relationship with him, if not for him, for my siblings and for me. But don’t worry, I won’t let him hurt me anymore.

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Second Update (8 Days Later)

There isn’t much of an update, but some people messaged me asking about how the dinner was.

So, last Thursday I went there after work. Gosh, I miss my siblings so much and I spent the majority of the time with them. My baby brother is not a baby anymore. He has grown so much. My baby sister is so cute. I could eat her alive. I never want to be apart from them anymore. It doesn’t matter what happens.

Cassie (I said her name once in my original post by mistake)—she’s my stepsister—is the only one I maintained regular contact with through calls and texts. She’s just an amazing person as well. She knows I didn’t move out in the best of circumstances, but doesn’t know the details or anything about the money. I asked if she wanted to have a sleepover at my house sometime, and she was thrilled. If I hadn’t stopped her, she would have started packing that second.

My stepmom’s mom was still there to help with the baby. And guess where she’s staying? In my old bedroom. They transformed it into a guest room, and the baby’s room was stepmom’s old office because it’s closer to the master. Honestly, that hurt a little.

I’ve only met my stepmom’s parents a few times. They were always nice to me. This time, she kept looking at me weird all the time. It didn’t matter where I was or where I moved. She was keeping track of me, like she was expecting me to try and steal something. When I was holding the baby, she didn’t leave my side.

Anyway, apart from that, dinner went as well as you can imagine. A little awkward, but I was glad I could see my siblings and spend a few hours playing with them. At the end, I mentioned Cassie having a sleepover on the weekend. Her grandmother started saying that absolutely not—Cassie would not go. But to my surprise, stepmom stopped her. She said if Cassie wanted, I could pick her up Saturday after soccer practice for dinner. That was that. When I was leaving, stepmom gave me a really tight hug.

So many people were saying how she’s just an evil stepmom that I kind of started to believe it. But as I said in my first post, we always had a good relationship. I left very confused and emotional.

Saturday afternoon, I picked up Cassie. We watched Inside Out 2. Then we ate shawarma for the first time—which is basically a meat burrito. I don’t see the difference. It was so good to spend the day with her. I’m so glad to have her in my life.

Sunday, I dropped her off and went inside to see my other siblings. Dad wasn’t there; he was out meeting a work friend. Some people asked what my dad does. He’s a lawyer. And stepmom used to work for an advertising company, but is now a stay‑at‑home mom. We have another dinner scheduled for Friday.

I don’t know if I’ll ever find out exactly why they wanted me to move or why they charged me rent. I don’t want to touch the subject now because I don’t want to jeopardize my relationship with my siblings. So, I don’t know if I’ll have any more updates since things are settling down and it is now just life. But if I find out in the future, I’ll update. You guys have been incredible. Thanks so much for all the words of kindness and support you gave me. Talking it out and then reading your replies has helped immensely. I also took people’s suggestions and I’m doing therapy and this Friday will be my first session.

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Third Update (12 Days Later)

So things blew up a little and I don’t even know where to start. I still haven’t processed everything I’ve been told. Since my last update, things have been normal from my side. I had another dinner with my parents the Friday before last. Stepmom’s mom—who I’ll call EBiE, meaning Evil B*tch (spoilers)—was still giving me the dirty eye, but I ignored her. I had scheduled dinner with them for last Friday and I was talking to them about taking my little brother to the park yesterday. But Wednesday, my dad called me asking if I could instead postpone dinner and go to Grandpa’s on Saturday because he needed to talk with the whole family.

Meanwhile, I had been talking to Cassie, and she’s been telling me Stepmom (I’ll call her Shay) and EBiE have been fighting a lot. Well, last Sunday Shay’s father shows up (I’ll call him LAY—lying bastard). There’s a big fight and LAY and EBiE go back home on Monday.

So yesterday afternoon I go to Grandpa’s. My aunt was there as well. Then Dad and Shay arrived with Cassie. Dad was clearly embarrassed. He apologized to me, to my grandparents. Shay apologized to me as well. And Dad gave an explanation—apology—reason—for everything that happened in the last few years.

Some things I already knew but Cassie didn’t. She was present for the whole thing. So I’ll try to tell everything here. I don’t know how coherent I’ll be, but I hope you can follow me.

Years and years ago, Grandpa and a friend started a company. The company was very successful. When Dad was twenty‑five, Grandpa sold the company and made a lot of money, so he decided to gift each child a home. He gave his kids $350k each with a promise they would use it to buy homes or pay out the mortgages. Grandpa had seen people lose their homes and didn’t want that to happen to his kids.

Dad didn’t buy a home, however. He actually moved to New York to start his own practice and become a big and successful lawyer. And as you can imagine, things didn’t turn out so well for him. Half a decade later, he has no money left, can’t pay rent, so he reaches out to Grandpa and moves back home. Grandpa helps him find a job with a buddy of his. After a while, Dad starts to put his life back together, rents a home, and moves out from Grandpa’s, meets my mom, and starts dating her. They fall in love. After a while, he asks to marry her.

Before they married, Grandpa came to them and said he would gift them a home. He had already talked with his other kids and they were fine with it. But because he didn’t trust Dad—and the home is so Dad’s future kids would always have a roof over their heads—the home would stay in his name and in his will it would go directly to Dad’s kids. So I was actually mistaken before. My uncles and aunt don’t live in homes owned by Grandpa. Only my dad does. And I think two cousins of mine as well.

Next thing, I was born. Life is good for a while. Then Mom passes away. Dad struggles with taking care of me alone. That’s when Grandpa starts to help financially.

A few more years pass. Dad meets Shay, but Dad is embarrassed about not owning the house and that Grandpa is helping him. So he never tells Shay any of this. For her, Dad was just a moderately successful lawyer. They marry, she becomes pregnant. She asks if she could become a full‑time stay‑at‑home mom, and Dad is embarrassed to say no. So he tells her it’s fine.

In the meanwhile, now with three kids plus a stay‑at‑home‑mom wife, Dad is struggling even more. Grandpa is helping more and Dad’s savings are being diminished day by day. Dad admits that he kind of threw Shay under the bus to Grandpa, blaming her for his financial problems, so Grandpa would continue helping for the sake of the kids.

Now I need to go back a little and talk about LAY and EBiE. Just like Shay, they think Dad is a rich successful lawyer. And they start saying to Dad how he’s spoiling me, how I’m going to be irresponsible with money, how I have an easy life. That when LAY was my age, he had to pay rent to his dad. And he did the same with his son (Shay’s brother), and how successful they became, never needing anything from anybody—bootstraps, etc., etc., etc.

Apparently that got into Dad’s head. He became afraid I would be dependent on him—or more likely, Grandpa—and his money instead of being successful on my own. He became afraid I would be a failure like him—someone who still needs his dad to bail him out. So he started getting parenting advice from his in‑laws.

“Why not ask his own dad who’s much, much more successful and raised three out of four of his kids to be successful as well?” I asked. Apparently, it’s because he felt embarrassed. That comes up again and again to explain Dad’s actions. Embarrassment. He didn’t want Grandpa to think even less of him.

Therefore, the rent idea—which was a suggestion from LAY. Dad says his initial plan was to save the money and give it to me later. But with a new kid, Shay not working, and trying to project to Shay and his in‑laws how things were fine, saving the money became impossible, according to him. By the way, he also lied to me here at the time, saying it’s a normal thing to do—that Grandpa had done it to him and his kids—which is a lie I discovered eight months ago, but with everything else that happened that seems small at the time.

There’s a detail that I didn’t disclose in my previous post because it didn’t matter—or so I thought—and that is I’m part of the LGBTQIA+ community. I don’t hide this fact. In fact, I was already out to my mom before her passing, but it’s not something I advertise either. That’ll become relevant later.

Anyways, continuing: LAY becomes Dad’s confidant, and he starts to open himself to him about his money troubles. And LAY starts to say things like I should move out and things like that to Dad—which is rejected initially. Then Shay becomes pregnant again and Dad panics. That’s when LAY and EBiE come to Dad and say they would help him not only financially but EBiE would move in with him and Shay after the baby to help out—and even convince Shay to go back to work since EBiE would be there taking care of the kids. But for that I needed to move out. Their reason is because the home wouldn’t be able to accommodate EBiE and that it was time I left the nest, etc., etc., etc.

So they convinced Dad I needed to move out. Dad didn’t tell Shay any of this, keep in mind—only that he thought it was the best for me, and the baby coming was just a great opportunity. According to them, Shay was against this, but Dad pulled the “I’m your daughter’s father, I know best” card, so she deferred to him.

They tell me I need to move out. I talked about this from my point of view. That day, Grandpa goes to my dad’s home and they have a huge fight. Not only Dad and Grandpa, but Dad and Shay—because it was then she discovered Dad didn’t own the house, Dad had almost no savings, and Dad was dependent on Grandpa. Dad’s deal with her parents was still a secret at this point.

I asked Shay why she acted so hostile towards me after that day—so much that it made me feel unwelcome and want to move out. She looked shocked. She apologized to me and started to cry, saying that she was never mad at me but at Dad—that she had no idea she was to blame for me moving out. I was crying as well. I said it’s not her fault. And guys, I know many of you have said bad things about her and I don’t blame you, but I do believe her. The look on her face when I said I felt unwelcome and that’s why I moved out—it’s not something you can fake. Now I’m thinking she’s as much of a victim of my dad’s actions as me. And all this time she was just trying to give me space.

So going back to events: I move out. Grandpa not only cuts Dad from all financial support, but starts to charge him money for the house. The only thing he continued paying for is Cassie’s education. Now everything is in the open and Dad and Shay have to cut everything—dinners, expensive foods, sell her car, etc. LAY and EBiE give them some money as well to help out. Poor Shay is stressed out, pregnant with a lying husband. I’m actually sad for her and what she went through. I was looking at Grandpa and I could see he was as well. I don’t think he realized the amount of stress he was placing on her. I don’t know how he will proceed from now on regarding Dad and the house.

Before the baby is born, EBiE moves in with Dad and Shay. Shay gives birth. Things are normal. But with the new baby, Dad feels even more guilty over what happened, and that’s when he calls me again (this part I already told you). Jumping to when I went to dinner the first time: Dad and Shay also recognize EBiE acting strange towards me. After I left, they talked. Nothing came from it. But Shay kept talking to Dad about her mom, and Dad started to tell her his conversations with EBiE and LAY about money and raising kids, etc. After my second dinner, Shay confronted her mom and they had a huge fight. And apparently that’s when she said something along the lines of, “I can’t believe you’re letting that slur back into your home after getting rid of her.” And that’s when the coin dropped for Dad and he realized how much of a fool he has been.

They kicked EBiE out. LAY came to pick her up and they had another fight. Dad actually wanted to act as if nothing had happened—continue with me visiting and rebuilding the relationship—but Shay put her foot down and said he needed to come clean about everything, not only to me but Cassie and everyone as well.

And so we came to the present. I was crying, Shay was crying, Cassie was crying, Dad was crying, Aunt was crying, Grandpa was crying, Grandma—who hadn’t said a single word—was holding me tight.

According to Dad, that’s all. No more lies. No more deception.

Dad and Shay left after that. I slept at Grandpa’s because I was in no state to drive. Came home this morning, took a long shower. Cried a lot. And now I’m typing this out to see if it helps me make sense of all of this. Make sense of my thoughts and feelings.

I guess that’s the end of the story. I don’t know what I’m going to do now. I feel sad, angry, sorry for Cassie. I feel everything and nothing. I’ll be calling my therapist tomorrow to see if we can book more sessions. I’ve been going every Friday, but I can’t wait a whole week. On the bright side, whoever had “evil step‑grandmother won” —

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Top/Relevant Comments

Commenter: Family therapy. Work through this. Take your time and if you can’t trust your dad after that, it’s absolutely fine. He smashed everything. I hope they both cut contact with her parents and never let them around ever again.

OP’s Response (yesterday): The more I thought, the more afraid I became of what became of my dad’s marriage to stepmom. She has been through a lot as well in the last months and has two small children. I’ll suggest therapy to her as well—family and individual. I also realize that now she doesn’t have her mom’s help with the baby anymore, things may be even harder for her. I’ll talk to her and offer whatever help I can.

Commenter Two: It’s still not very clear what EBiE has against you. Her reaction about you possibly moving back couldn’t be down to just making sure you don’t get too reliant on your dad when you’re older. Your stepmom also needs to stop getting pregnant, and I think your grandpa should keep charging your dad rent until he learns to manage his money better.

Commenter Three: It appears that EBiE doesn’t like her because she’s part of the LGBT+ community, hence the “slur” part.

OP’s Response: That’s what Dad and Stepmom have said. He said he realized she was a bigot and was trying to push me away. I never had much interaction with them. When my parents were visiting them, I usually stayed with my grandparents. So, I don’t know if that was the last straw for him and if they had said other things to him in the past. He never showed any signs he didn’t support me and neither has Stepmom. That’s why it never crossed my mind it had something to do with it.

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Fourth Update (1 Year, 2 Months Later)

Hi everyone. I was recently thinking of this post and decided to give an update. I wished I could have made it on r/TrueOffMyChest, but alas, I can’t.

First, I’m in a much better place emotionally as last year I was a complete wreck. I’m doing very well for the most part. For those who don’t remember or do not want to read my previous posts, the summary is: my father forced me to move out; Grandpa was mad at him and cut off his financial assistance that no one knew about, including my stepmom; stepmom’s parents manipulated my father into kicking me out because I’m trans, in exchange for their financial support.

Now, after everything hit the fan that day, life went back to normal—more or less. We started family therapy for a while. It started promising with Dad being willing and open. But after a while, he regressed and became less willing to put in the work until he stopped going. Me, Cassie, and Stepmom continued going for a while, but stopped as well. I continue with individual therapy and my psychiatrist wants to make an evaluation for ADHD, but wants to wait until I’m fully emotionally and physiologically stable. Stepmom and Cassie continue individual therapy as well.

As I imagine most could guess, Stepmom and Dad ended up separating after a few months. At first, it was temporary, but now there’s no going back. Divorce is not finalized yet. However, Stepmom stayed in the house as Grandpa would not accept anything else.

I started going there to help Stepmom with the baby and my little brother more and more until I was spending almost all my time there. So, me and Stepmom decided I would move back. I thought Grandpa would be disappointed as he was very proud of how well I was doing on my own, but he looked happy when I told him. He said he’ll keep that unit a little longer off the market in case I ever need it.

I continue going to uni but took only a half‑load of classes this last year. Now I’m back to a full schedule. Fluid mechanics is a pain. Home life has actually been pretty good. My Stepmom and I became really, really close this last year. She went back to work while I left mine to help with the kids, and I truly prefer this as taking care of my siblings is much more enjoyable. But also, Grandpa insisted on paying me to babysit. Next year, I’ll start interning at a construction company owned by my grandpa’s friend.

I know many people insisted my Stepmom knew everything or was somewhat complicit with Dad’s actions, but I truly, truly believe and trust her. She’s been almost no contact with her parents and they are forbidden to visit. Cassie also stepped in and is helping a lot around the house and Grandpa also insists on paying her for her time. We know this is his way of helping us without making it sound too much like charity.

My baby sister is a little devil running all over the house—the little Lucifer (or Lucy, as I call her—that’s not her name, but I do actually call her Lucy sometimes). Didn’t even learn to crawl properly. She went directly to walking. We need to keep constant vigilance because it seems her head has a magnetic pull toward sharp corners. My little brother was the one hit the hardest by Dad moving out. I know these posts have painted a terrible picture of my father, and I’m not excusing anything he did, but he was a good dad otherwise. And my little brother was very attached to him.

My father and I barely speak nowadays. He acts like we should all forget everything and move on, which I still cannot do. There’s no formal custody agreement between him and my Stepmom, but he picks my brother up once or twice a month to spend the day or weekends. And now that my sister is older, her sometimes, too.

Overall, I’m in a much, much better place than I was last year. I have an incredible family, amazing grandparents, loving siblings, and my Stepmom has become a really close friend. I even got a girlfriend. I also know I’m extremely privileged to have a supportive family and system. At no moment in all of this have I ever had to worry about having a roof over my head or food on the table, which unfortunately is not everyone’s experience in similar situations—as I’ve been told, sometimes harshly, over private messages.

Lastly, I’d like to thank everyone who read or commented something. The support on my first post was the push I needed to stop being naive and ignore things. Posting here was a great way to help me figure out my thoughts and feelings, but I probably won’t do any more updates as I consider this chapter of my life closed now.

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Top/Relevant Comments

Commenter: I’ll be honest. I dislike your father a lot. His actions cost him a relationship with his older daughter and his marriage at the very least. You don’t say in your post if your grandpa still financially supports him. I guess living alone and seeing his kids three times a month, his cost of living has dropped significantly. So his lawyer’s salary should be enough. Besides that, it’s a very happy update, and I’m very happy for you. Good luck out there. Don’t feel bad for being lucky. You are indeed lucky with the family you’ve been born into overall, minus a few people. And there’s a lot of people who aren’t as lucky as you. But it’s not your fault. You don’t need to apologize because you grew up in a wealthy, supportive family. As long as you don’t become arrogant because of that, you’ll stay a nice person in my eyes.

Commenter Two: Crazy that the Stepmom is more loving toward OP than her bio dad.

Commenter Three:

Life: Okay, you got a home for free, a loving family, a job (which means you’re not struggling), and unlimited support from a parental figure. Go get ’em, tiger.

OP’s Dad: Ruin my life—did you say “ruin my life” so people think I’m a big manly man? Should I lie to everyone and then get divorced and become a deadbeat?

Life: You got it.

OP’s Dad: …

Life: Jesus Christ, dude.