Brother Made My Life Hell, Then Got My Wife Pregnant. Now He... - Best Reddit
TLDRThe narrator recounts a tumultuous family history where his brother David, once the favored child, tormented him. After enduring years of bullying, the narrator finds solace in martial arts and later in college. His life takes a tragic turn when he discovers his wife Karen's affair with David, leading to a divorce and a paternity test revealing David as the father of his 'son'. The family disowns David, who eventually faces financial struggles and social isolation. The narrator, now vindicated and independent, finds a renewed sense of self and freedom.
Takeaways
- 😞 The narrator's brother, David, was the favored child and caused the narrator much distress throughout their childhood and adolescence.
- 😡 David's bullying escalated to physical harm and emotional abuse, including attempting to set the narrator's hair on fire.
- 👨👦👦 The father eventually took the narrator's side against David's abusive behavior, which led to a temporary change in family dynamics.
- 🥋 The narrator's father enrolled him in MMA classes, which helped him gain confidence and stand up to bullies.
- 💔 The narrator discovered his wife Karen had been unfaithful, with one of the affairs being with his brother David, which resulted in a child.
- 😢 The revelation of the affair and the possibility that the narrator's son might be David's led to a breakdown of trust and the end of his marriage.
- 💸 After the divorce and a paternity test confirming David as the child's father, the family cut financial ties with David and left him out of the will.
- 😤 David, now facing financial difficulties, reached out to the narrator for help, but the narrator refused, holding him accountable for his actions.
- 👪 The family's unity was tested, with the father standing firm in his decision to cut David off, despite the mother's initial reluctance.
- 🏡 The narrator has moved on, focusing on his own well-being and independence, while David and Karen now co-parent the child together.
Q & A
What was the relationship like between the narrator and his brother David?
-The relationship between the narrator and his brother David was extremely strained and hostile. David was the favored child and often bullied and belittled the narrator throughout their childhood and adolescence.
How did the narrator's father react when he found out about David's attempt to set the narrator's hair on fire?
-The narrator's father was shocked and took the situation seriously. He sided with the narrator, threatened to call the police on David, and later enrolled the narrator in MMA classes to help him stand up against bullies.
What significant event led to the narrator's parents disowning David?
-The significant event that led to the narrator's parents disowning David was when it was revealed that David had an affair with the narrator's wife, Karen, and got her pregnant.
How did the narrator's father decide to handle the situation with David financially?
-The narrator's father decided to cut David off from the college funds he had set up for him and stop funding his lifestyle, essentially leaving him to figure out how to pay for his university fees and live on his own.
What was the outcome of the paternity test regarding the narrator's son?
-The paternity test confirmed that David, the narrator's brother, was indeed the biological father of the child.
How did the narrator's relationship with his wife Karen evolve after discovering her infidelity?
-The narrator's relationship with Karen deteriorated significantly after discovering her infidelity. Despite initial attempts to forgive and move forward, the revelation of her long-term affair with David and the possibility that their son might not be his led to their divorce.
What was the narrator's reaction when David called him for help after being cut off financially by their parents?
-The narrator refused to help David, reminding him of the consequences of his actions and stating that he was no longer considered his brother.
How did the narrator's mother react to the situation involving David and the narrator's wife?
-Initially, the narrator's mother tried to defend David, but after hearing the truth from both the narrator and David, she seemed to feel a mix of disappointment and anger, although she still had a hard time completely cutting ties with David.
What actions did the narrator take to distance himself from his ex-wife Karen and his brother David?
-The narrator divorced Karen, moved into his own bachelor pad, and cut off all contact with both Karen and David. He also sought therapy to help him heal from the emotional turmoil.
What was the final decision regarding the family's inheritance?
-The narrator's father decided to leave nearly his entire inheritance, amounting to around $2 million, to the narrator. He planned to leave David only $1, effectively disowning him.
How did the narrator's life change after the divorce and moving out on his own?
-The narrator experienced a sense of freedom and independence after the divorce. He was promoted at work, which significantly improved his salary, and he started going to therapy to help him heal.
Outlines
😡 Family Strife and Betrayal
The narrator recounts a troubled relationship with his younger brother, David, who was the favored child in their family. Despite being the 'Golden Child,' David harbored resentment towards his older brother, engaging in bullying and cruel pranks. Their father eventually took the narrator's side after a dangerous incident, leading to the narrator learning MMA for self-defense. David's actions escalated to sleeping with the narrator's wife, Karen, resulting in a child that may not be the narrator's. The family dynamics are further complicated by the parents' different reactions to the brothers' conflicts.
💔 Unfaithful Wife and Brother's Deceit
The narrator discovers his wife Karen's infidelity with his brother, David, which spanned several years and included a child that might be David's. Karen admits to the affair and the uncertainty of their son's paternity. The narrator confronts his family with the truth, leading to a dramatic revelation and a firm response from his father, who cuts David off financially and emotionally. The narrator's world is shattered by the betrayal, and he seeks to expose David's actions to maintain his dignity and integrity.
🛑 The Aftermath of Betrayal
Following the revelation of the affair, the narrator experiences a mix of emotions, including shock and vindication. His father takes decisive action against David, cutting him off from financial support and family ties. The narrator's mother, initially in denial, eventually acknowledges the truth. The narrator proceeds with a divorce from Karen, who tries to use their son as leverage. A paternity test confirms David as the child's father, leading to the narrator's decision to distance himself from Karen and the child, seeking a fresh start.
🏡 Inheritance and Family Dynamics
The narrator's father decides to change his will, intending to leave the majority of his $2 million estate to the narrator, with only $1 bequeathed to David. This decision is a response to David's betrayal and lack of remorse. David, facing financial struggles and social isolation, reaches out to the narrator for help, which is met with rejection. The family's dynamics shift significantly, with the mother being warned against contacting David, and the father standing firm in his decision to exclude him from the family's inheritance.
🔄 Moving Forward and Healing
The narrator's relationship with his parents improves, especially with his father, as they bond over shared activities. His mother, despite missing David, respects the decision to cut him off. The narrator hears that David has dropped out of college and is working as a mechanic, raising the child with Karen. The narrator is focused on his own healing, having been promoted at work and attending therapy. He chooses not to date, needing time to recover from the emotional turmoil, and maintains no contact with David or his former wife.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Inheritance
💡Favoritism
💡Bullying
💡Affair
💡Paternity
💡Divorce
💡Trust
💡Independence
💡Vindication
💡Consequences
💡Reconciliation
Highlights
Brother David harbored deep-seated resentment towards the author despite being the favored child.
The author was expected to assist David without receiving the same consideration in return.
David bullied the author throughout their childhood, invading his privacy and mocking him.
The author's parents dismissed David's abusive behavior as normal sibling rivalry.
An incident where David nearly set the author's hair on fire led to their father taking action.
The author's father enrolled him in MMA classes, which changed his life and helped him stand up to bullies.
David continued to steal from the author and manipulate their mother even after the author learned self-defense.
The author moved away to university, escaping the toxic home environment.
The author met his wife Karen during university, and they married after discovering she was pregnant.
The author discovered Karen's infidelity, including an affair with his brother David.
Karen revealed that their son might be David's, shattering the author's trust in her.
The author confronted Karen and David, leading to his parents disowning David and leaving him out of their will.
The author's father cut David off financially and emotionally, showing support for the author.
The author divorced Karen and decided not to have contact with his son, who was confirmed to be David's.
David reached out to the author for help after being disowned by their parents.
The author refused to help David, stating that he should face the consequences of his actions.
The author's mother initially defended David but eventually sided with the author's father.
The author is now focused on healing and rebuilding his life after the family turmoil.