I Paid My Parents’ Bills For 5 Years While My Sister Did Nothing. When I... - Best Reddit Stories

my name's Alex and I never thought I'd be the kind of person to cut off my own parents but after everything they put me through I don't regret it for a second for 5 years I paid their bills rent utilities groceries anything they needed I covered it they always had an excuse my dad had back problems that made working impossible my mom insisted she was too old to get a job even though she was barely in her 50s and my sister Emily she never lifted a damn finger Emily was The Golden Child she could crash

her car rack up debt drop out of school and still my parents would defend her like she walked on water she's just finding herself my mom would say she'll figure it out eventually meanwhile I was the one who had to figure everything out from the moment I turned 18 I work my ass off to get where I am late nights long hours stress sacrifice you name it and because I made something of myself my parents treated me like their personal ATM started small a little help with rent here a bill there then it became monthly

payments after a while they didn't even ask anymore they just expected it family helps family my mom would say whenever I hesitated you're doing so well sweetheart it's not like you can't afford it and for years I let it slide I told myself they needed it that I was doing the right thing that maybe just maybe they'd appreciate it someday but appreciation never came only entitlement the Breaking Point wasn't immediate it was more like a slow realization a pile of small betrayals that eventually crushed me it started when I got married my wife Sarah never

said anything at first but I could tell she didn't like the way my parents treated me she saw what I refused to see that they didn't love me so much as they loved what I could do for them even after our daughter was born they never changed I thought having a granddaughter would make them different that they'd want to be involved but Emily still came first my mom would cancel visits last minute because Emily needed her for something my dad never bothered to come at all if I didn't make the effort they wouldn't see my

daughter at all then came the moment that shattered everything I had an important work event something I couldn't Miss Sarah had a last minute business trip we just needed one night one night of help so I called my mom and asked if she and Dad could babysit she laughed actually laughed oh Alex we're not your servants she said we raised our kids already it's not our job to take care of yours I don't even remember what I said next I just remember hanging up and staring at the wall feeling like a fool 5 years of

paying their bills covering their expenses making sure they never had to struggle and the one time I asked for something in return they dismissed me like I was nothing I wish I could say that was the end of it but it got worse a lot worse I sat there for a long time phone still in my hand replaying the conversation in my head maybe I'm misheard her maybe she didn't mean it like that but deep down I knew better the years of being used the endless excuses the way they put Emily on a pedestal while

treating me like a walking wallet it all made perfect sense now still I needed to hear it from them directly I needed to see them say it to my face so I got in my car and drove straight to their house the drive was short but my mind was racing the entire way I wasn't even sure what I was going to say I wasn't the kind of person who lashed out or got into screaming matches but I felt something bubbling up inside me something I had pushed down for years by the time I pulled into

their driveway my hands were shaking I took a deep breath got out of the car and knocked on the door no answer I knocked again harder this time then I heard voices inside the door opened and there was my dad looking surprised to see me Alex he said like I was some stranger showing up unannounced I didn't even bother with small talk I just want to make sure I heard mom correctly I said pushing past him into the house you guys can't babysit my daughter for one night because you're not my servants my mom was

sitting on the couch but she didn't look at all guilty if anything she looked annoyed Alex why are you making such a big deal out of this before I could respond I heard something from the other room a little voice a giggle I turned my head toward the hallway and that's when I saw it Emily's kids my parents were babysitting Emily's kids my heart dropped my mom seeing the look on my face immediately went into damage control mode Alex honey this is different different my voice was eerily calm explain to me how this is different

my dad who never had much of a spine sighed and rubbed his temples your sister had a really bad headache she just needed a little rest I stared at him in disbelief a headache I repeated she has a headache so you drop everything to watch your kids but when I the who's been paying your bills for years ask you to babysit for one night suddenly you raised your kids already my mom rolled her eyes as if I was being dramatic Alex it's not like that your sister Emily gets everything handed to her I snapped and

I get used my mom's face hardened that's not fair we appreciate everything you do for us I let out a cold humorless laugh really because it sure as hell doesn't feel like it Emily suddenly appeared in the hallway rubbing her eyes like just woke up from a nap ug what is all this yelling she whined then she saw me and groaned oh my God are you seriously throwing a tantrum right now I turned to her my jaw clenched you're unbelievable she folded her arms smirking you act like paying a few bills makes you a saint

maybe if you weren't so uptight Mom and Dad wouldn't have to pick favorites something inside me snapped I felt this icy Clarity like the final piece of the puzzle had clicked into place I had spent my entire life trying to earn love and respect from people who never intended to give it to me and now standing in that living room watching them babysit Emily's kids after laughing in my face I finally saw the truth I was done I exhaled slowly and looked at my parents all right I said quietly I get it now then I

turned on my heel and walked straight out the door I didn't slam it I didn't yell I didn't give them another second of my time but as I drove away my phone started buzzing first my mom then my dad then Emily I didn't answer and that was just the beginning I ignored every single call let them Wonder let them stew I wasn't going to waste another second being manipulated by the time I got home Sarah was already back from her trip sitting on the couch with our daughter asleep in her arms she looked up when

I walked in and immediately knew something was wrong what happened she asked softly I sat down next to her running a hand through my hair they were babysitting Emily's kids Sarah stiffened you're kidding I shook my head nope she had a headache so of course they dropped everything to help her but when I asked for one night one damn night I got laughed at she let out a sharp breath shaking her head in disbelief Alex I know this hurts but maybe it's a good thing now you know for sure she was right I did know

for sure I wasn't just their second choice I was their backup plan their financial safety net and now that I saw it clearly I wasn't about to keep playing that role so the next morning I took action the first thing I did was call my bank I had automatic payments set up for their rent their utilities even their damn car insurance that ended today I canel everything then I sent my parents a single text you're on your own now figure it out I didn't explain I didn't argue I just hit send and blocked their numbers

within the hour the chaos began Sarah and I were eating breakfast when my email think then my work phone rang then Sarah's phone I had blocked them but they were persistent I sighed opening my email from Mom subject are you serious the message was exactly what I expected Alex I don't know what's gotten into you but this is ridiculous family supports each other you can't just cut us off like this we have bills to pay your father's Health isn't great and your sister is struggling I can't believe you'd be this selfish after everything we've done

for you I scoffed everything they've done for me what birthing me that was about where their support ended before I could even process that Sarah's phone rang again she checked the screen and grimaced it's Emily let it go to voicemail I muttered but then a text popped up from her Sarah held up the phone so I could see Emily texted wow you're actually serious you're screwing over Mom and Dad just because you didn't get your way for one night grow up Alex I clenched my jaw of course Emily would twist it like that of course

she would make me the villain I stood up pacing the kitchen you know what let them Panic let them scream I don't care anymore Sarah gave me a proud little smile good they don't deserve another second of your energy and for the first time in years I felt free but the drama wasn't over yet because 3 days later I heard a knock at my front door when I looked through the peephole I almost laughed it was my parents and they were crying I stared through the peephole for a long moment my stomach twisting there they

were my mother and father standing outside my house looking absolutely pitiful my mother had tears streaming down her face and my father Stood Beside her rubbing his temples like this was all some massive inconvenience a part of me almost felt bad almost then I remembered every time they had used me every bill I had covered every sacrifice I had made while Emily sat back doing nothing yet somehow being treated like royalty I remembered the laughter in my mother's voice when she dismissed me like I was an idiot for even asking them to babysit I felt

a fire rise in my chest taking a deep breath I unlocked the door and swung it open the second my mother saw me she launched into it Alex thank God we've been trying to reach you I folded my arms leaning against the door frame yeah I noticed my dad stepped forward his expression a mix of exhaustion and frustration Alex son we need to talk no you need to talk I shot back because I already said everything I needed to my mother clutched at her chest like I had just stabbed her how can you be so

heartless we're family I let out a sharp humorless laugh oh now we're family that's funny because when I needed you when I needed one night just one you laughed in my face but when Emily has a headache you roll out the red carpet for her mom's face Twisted into an ugly frown that's not fair not fair my voice Rose what's not fair is me paying your bills for 5 years while Emily did absolutely nothing what's not fair is me bending over backwards to help you only to be treated like an afterthought while she gets to

be The Golden Child you can sit here and cry all you want but I see the truth now my dad sighed heavily shaking his head Alex come on we appreciate everything you do for us I scoffed no you appreciate my money big difference that shut them up real quick my mom's face crumpled like she was about to start full on sobbing we just we didn't think you'd actually go through with it she admitted wiping at her eyes you've always been so responsible so good to us we thought you'd calm down and fix this I gritted

my teeth fix what Mom the fact that you've been using me that you've been emotionally manipulating me into paying for everything while Emily does nothing that you take me for granted and act like she's a damn princess my mother sniffled we're not using you we just relied on you a little too much I shook my head no you exploited me you guilt sh me into believing that it was my job to take care of you but it's not you're grown adults if you can't afford your own bills that's not my problem anymore dad ever the

Peacekeeper rubbed his face in frustration look I get it okay we screwed up we screwed up I repeat it letting out a bitter laugh screwing up is forgetting to send a birthday card this this is years of manipulation this is me realizing that the only reason you ever treated me kindly was because I was useful to you my mother shook her head desperately that's not true we love you no I cut her off coldly you love what I do for you there's a difference silence for the first time in my life they actually seemed speechless

but then right on Q my mother did what she did best she flipped the script her sadness morphed into anger and suddenly I was the villain again you being so cruel Alex she snapped do you have any idea what you're doing to this family we are struggling we are barely keeping our heads above water and instead of helping your own flesh and blood you're throwing a tantrum over babysitting my jaw tightened no I'm finally standing up for myself you're being dramatic she scoffed you're cutting us off over nothing I felt a dangerous Cal settle over

me nothing I echoed you think this is nothing I took a step closer lowering my voice mom I have spent the last 5 years keeping a roof over your head while Emily did nothing you have drained me financially and emotionally and the one time I asked for something in return you laughed in my face you called me selfish but now that I'm done being your ATM suddenly you're crying outside my house she looked away sniffling my dad cleared his throat awkwardly I nodded the realization settling in fully that's what I thought Mom exhaled sharply regaining

some of her usual Venom fine she said bitterly if this is how you want it then fine but don't come crawling back when you realize how much you need us I let out a sharp laugh need you for what emotional abuse guilt trips bills I didn't sign up for yeah I think I'll pass dad sighed rubbing his face come on Alex letun not burn Bridges here we just need a little help I turned and gestured toward their car in my driveway then maybe you should go ask Emily oh wait she's never helped has she silence

again they both knew I was right I took a deep breath steadying myself I'm done I'm mean it this time no more money no more favors you figure your own lives out just like I had to mom opened her mouth to argue but I was already stepping back inside and without another word I shut the door in their faces I leaned against it my heart pounding my breath coming in short bursts for a second I just stood there listening I could hear them murmuring their voices frantic my mother was sniffling my father sighing then slowly

their footsteps retreated I peaked through the window they were standing by their car arguing with each other then finally they got in and drove away and I just stood there letting it all sink in for the first time in my life I had set a boundary a real boundary and it felt incredible but I had a feeling this wasn't over yet the next morning I woke up to my phone vibrating like crazy at first I thought it was just another work notification but as soon as I unlocked my screen I saw the flood of messages

texts missed calls and even tags on Facebook my stomach sake I opened the first text it was from my cousin Jenna holy crap Alex have you seen what your mom posted my heart pounded as I clicked on the link she sent me it took me to Facebook to a post from my mother in the moment I started reading my hands clenched into fists it breaks my heart to say this but sometimes the people you love the most turn their backs on you my own daughter yes the one I raised fed clothed and loved unconditionally has

abandoned her family in our time of need after everything we've done for her she has decided we're not good enough for her anymore I never thought I'd see the day when my own child would treat me like a burden like a piece of trash to be thrown away but money changes people I guess and now she's left a struggling knowing we have no one else to turn to if only she had a heart as big as her bank account I stared at the screen my breath coming in sharp bursts the comments were even worse wow

I can't believe your daughter would do that to you some kids just don't appreciate their parents anymore it's disgusting after all you sacrificed for her she should be ashamed Cara will come for her just wait I scrolled and scrolled my face burning she had completely Twisted the story painting herself as the poor suffering mother abandoned by her selfish daughter and of course her Facebook friends most of them nosy Church ladies and distant relatives who barely knew me were eating it up then just when I thought it couldn't get worse I saw Emily's comment I never

wanted to say anything before but honestly I always knew she only cared about herself Mom and Dad have given her everything and this is how she repays them disgusting that did it I wasn't just angry anymore I was livid I grabbed my phone and dialed my mother's number she picked up almost immediately like she' been waiting for my call oh so now you want to Hawk she said her voice dripping with fake innocence are you kidding me I snapped what the hell is that Facebook post mom you're seriously lying to everyone and making me look

like some heartless monster she let out a long dramatic sigh I don't know what you mean sweetie I was just cheering my feelings isn't that allowed I gritted my teeth you lied you made it sound like I abandoned you for no reason when you've been using me for years oh using you she shot back suddenly all Venom I don't recall putting a gun to your head and forcing you to help your own parents you did that all on your own but I guess money makes people selfish I should have known you'd turn out like this

I almost laughed at the sheer Audacity Of itou unbelievable I said I finally stand up for myself and instead of apologizing you run to Facebook to play the victim well I am a victim she said her voice trembling now like she was trying to squeeze out some tears your per father and I are struggling while you live comfortably completely fine with leaving us behind it's just she sniff dramatically it's just so hard to believe my own daughter could be so cold-hearted I clenched my jaw gripping the phone so tightly my fingers ached you're struggling then

why were you babysitting Emily's kids yesterday she can't even watch her own kids but she gets to live in peace while I get guilt tripped into supporting you Mom hesitated just for a second but then she scoffed Emily is different she's not as financially stable as you and besides she doesn't turn her back on family the way you do that was it that was the final straw I let out a slow breath forcing myself to stay calm you know what Mom post whatever you want say whatever you want but I hope you realize that you

just burned any chance of me ever helping you again oh honey she said sweetly her tone suddenly shifting don't be like this you know I love you I let out a humorless chuckle no Mom you love control and you just lost it and with that I hung up I stared at my phone for a long moment my blood still boiling my notifications were still going off messages from relatives mutual friends even a couple of old classmates asking me what was going on and then an idea hit me if she wanted to play dirty I could

play smarter I took a deep breath opened Facebook and started typing I didn't rant I didn't insult I just laid out the facts how I had been paying their bills for years while my sister contributed nothing how they had refused to help me when I needed them just once and how they immed imediately turned around and did the exact thing for my sister that they claimed they weren't my servants for doing I hit post embraced myself the response was immediate messages flooded in not just from friends but from extended family people I hadn't talked to

in years some were supportive Furious on my behalf others were shocked saying they had no idea what had been going on behind the scenes a few tried to stay neutral claiming family should stick together no matter what but overwhelmingly the tide was against my parents and then my sister showed up in the comments wow can't believe you'd embarrass our parents like this so much for family that was rich coming from someone who had done nothing but take and take while I carried the weight of responsibility alone I didn't respond I didn't have to others jumped

in calling her out pointing out the blatant favoritism the hypocrisy then came the messages from my parents mom texted how dare you do this to us do you have any idea how humiliated we are dad texted take the post down now this isn't how family treats each other oh so now Family mattered now they wanted to talk about respect and loyalty after years of using me like an ATM and throwing me aside when I needed the smallest favor I didn't respond instead I blocked them blocked my mom blocked my dad blocked my sister and just

like that the weight lifted no more guilt no more obligation no more being manipulated into believing that love was something I had to buy I expected to feel sad maybe even regretful but as I sat in the Silence of my own home holding my daughter close all I felt was peace for the first time in my life I was free what do you think did I do the right thing