Reddit Stories - BETRAYAL and Grief_ A Dark ENCOUNTER with Family SECRETS_

Episode Date: August 18, 2025

#redditstories #askreddit #aita #betrayal #grief #darkencounter #familysecrets #relationshipsSummary:A gripping tale of betrayal and grief unravels through a dark encounter with family secrets. Dive into the emotional turmoil as hidden truths surface, testing relationships and unraveling the fabric of trust.Tags:redditstories, askreddit, reddit, aita, tifu, betrayal, grief, darkencounter, familysecrets, relationships, trust, emotional, hidden truths, turmoil, unraveling, fabric, testing, gripping, tale, secrets, revealBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/reddit-stories--6237355/support.

I hope you enjoy this story. My sibling's partner taunted my spouse about her closest companion's passing, and when my spouse eventually lost her patience and informed him that all relatives despise him, my sibling insisted on a formal apology. So, for the back story, I 36F and married to the love of my life 36FK. We met when we were 17, she was out and proud whilst I was still in the closet, so we didn't start dating until I came out at 21. We got married in 2019 and have an adopted four-year-old son, Jack. This comes in relevant in a minute. My sister 27F. Sarah, has a long-term boyfriend

28M. Steve who the family cannot stand. They've been together for eight years and the whole family has hated him from the first time we met him. He is rude, obnoxious, arrogant, and all-in-all a crappy human being. He's also someone that likes to claim that he is just honest. But if someone is honest back to him, he flips out and sulks like a toddler. In fact, my toddler is better behaved than him. He isn't abusive to Sarah and doesn't direct these comments towards her. It's just the rest he's actually a good partner to her and treats her well, which is his one redeeming quality.

My dad and Kaye hate him the most and will do anything to avoid him at family gatherings. Kay usually just ignores him and brushes off anything he says to her as she doesn't like conflict. However, there have been a few occasions that she has said something back. but it's usually said in a joking manner which amuses my dad to no end. My mom is a peacekeeper and will do anything to avoid drama so she just changes the topic whenever he starts, but she and my grandparents all hate him just as much as the rest of us. Sarah is the only one that obviously doesn't hate him. Our son's birth mother Tess was Kay's best friend, who sadly died in 2021.

This was a real shock as she had an underlying heart condition that she didn't know about and simply went to sleep one night and never woke up. Jack had been left alone in his cot all day screaming for his mom before Kay got worried that Tess wasn't answering her texts and went to their house to see if she was okay. She found Jack in his cot and Tess in her bed. We adopted Jack as no one in Tessa's family was in a position to take him in. We raise him as our own, but he knows who Tess is. Obviously this is a very sensitive topic for Kay as it was so traumatic for her and Jack. Now, onto what happened last weekend. It was the anniversary of Tessa's death on Saturday, so Kay, Jack and I went to visit her grave. K. is always quiet after going to see

her and this time of year is especially hard for her. On Sunday we had a family gatherings at my parents' house. These happen every couple of months as just to catch up for everyone. At first nothing was out of the extraordinary. Kay and my dad were off to the side talking as usual, only I could see that Kay was obviously struggling so my dad and her went for a walk so she could clear her head. This is something they have done before so nothing too unusual. However, Steve had an issue with this and asked why they had left and why he wasn't invited to walk with them. I explained that about Tess and Kay just needed a minute. This wasn't good enough for Steve though and he said she should have gotten over it by now.

at this my granddad, who is naturally a very quiet guy, said that his best friend had died over 20 years ago and he still had days where his missed him so much it hurt, you don't just get over something like that. Steve shut at that. Kay and my dad got back and she was in a much better mood. We all sat down at the table for our late lunch and started chatting. Everything was fine at first until Steve started trying to but into Kay's conversation with my granddad. When it was obvious that they weren't going to include him he very loudly stated, this is bullshit, she's getting all the attention of everyone because her friend died three fucking years ago.

We sat over it for fuck's sake, we're all sick of hearing about it. The whole table went silent and I took one look at Kay and knew she was about to go off on Steve. Only it didn't happen the way I thought. Rather than exploding at him, she looked at him very calmly and said that her and granddad weren't talking about Tess. They were making plans to take him to the Christmas markets, but if you want to be a dick then no problem.

She then went on to say to him that everyone in the family hates him because he's a toxic, narcissistic fuckwad. That whenever he can't come to a family gathering the whole family is much happier. That there is a reason he has no friends and that his own family can't stand to be around him. That reason is that he's rotten from the inside out and that Tess may have only been on this planet for 32 years, but she made a bigger impact on people that he would if he lived until he was 150. that her funeral was rammed with people because she was so loved, whereas he'd be lucky if anyone other than Sarah was at his. After that she got up and went to the back garden and I followed her.

A few minutes later my dad came out and said that he'd told Sarah and Steve to leave. We went back inside and Kay apologized to everyone and said she should have just kept her mouth shut. Everyone other than my mom told her what she had done was right and it was about time someone told him. My dad then found it hilarious that a lesbian had been the one to tell him straight which lightened the mood a lot. We spent the rest of the afternoon there before going to pick Jack up from Kay's mum's house as she had had him overnight on Saturday for us. The reason I'm making this post is that yesterday I got a call from Sarah saying that her and Steve wanted an apology from Kay or they weren't going to Christmas. But I reminded her that we wouldn't be a Christmas

either as it our year to spend it with Kay's mum so it made no difference to us. She got really upset saying that she wanted an apology because Kay was way out of line. I said she wasn't and that I wouldn't even contemplate asking her to apologize because I agreed with everything she said and so did everyone else there. She ended the call and I just went back to work. Then today my dad called me and asked if Kay's mom would mind a few more for Christmas as he was refusing to spend it with Steve so he and my granddad needed someone else to go. Shortly after Sarah had called me she has called mum and started ranting and my mom had

told my dad to get Kay to apologize, which he said no to, and they had an argument and my dad has now decided that he's done with Steve even if that affects his relationship with Sarah. He's not having it anymore. My mom wants Sarah there, and she won't go without Steve so my dad is going somewhere else and my granddad agreed with him. I text Kay's mom and she said they were welcome so now my mom is furious and saying that my dad and Kay are ripping the family apart. So basically this has turned into a shit show. Kay has said she will apologize if I want her to, just to keep the peace, but I've told her no way. Everything she said was true.

I just don't know where to go from here and the people in my life all hate Steve that much that Kay could have physically attacked him and they would all still think she is in the right. So, that's why I'm asking internet strangers who might have had to deal with difficult family members. What can we do to get into a place where we can be around each other amicably? I'm struggling to see a way right now. Wow, didn't realize how long this got until I went to post it. Sorry about that. Comments where Op has replied, comment her,

For things to be peaceful, both parties need to want it. Kay did nothing wrong, would never spend another moment with Steve. I would let Sarah know I love her and will see her anytime, anywhere, but I'll never see Steve again. If you have one guest that basically wants to, show tea on the holiday table, there is no path forward with them. Oop, if it was just Sarah upset, then I wouldn't care, but it's my mom. She tries so hard to keep the whole family together, and she is devastated by what's going on. If it wasn't for her, then Sarah could go take a running jump for all I care right now.

Sarah, this is the issue that Steve and Sarah don't see anything wrong in what he's done. It was just him being honest. I would be happier for her to apologize if Steve and Sarah admitted that. that what he said was in the wrong as well. Without that, I'm being stubborn about it. My dad told Kay he will fall out with her if she apologized as she did nothing wrong. There was no screaming or shouting, she said it very calmly. I feel like I'm stuck between making my mom happy and doing what I believe to be right.

To another commenter, my sister doesn't see anything wrong in what he says as he's just being honest, but loses it when someone is honest back. I don't understand her anymore. Mom, take the high road and rise above it have been two of my mom's favorite things to say to us over the years. I just feel like enough is enough. He crossed a line this time that he can't come back from. I especially don't want my son around him when he's saying things like that about Tess. To another commenter, if I hear my mom say, take the high road one more time I'm going to scream.

I'm sick of the high road, I've been on it for eight years. I'm happy on the low road now. Later that day, Oop, well I've just found out that my granny and pa, my mom's parents, are going to my uncles for Christmas and Steve is not invited, so it looks like it's going to be just Mum, Sarah and Steve for Christmas this year. How Oop feels about that. Vindicated as my Mum is like her parents, they're all peacekeepers and if ever they have had enough, then it just shows that she's not just stepped over the line. He's ran right past IT.e. M. K's mom has already told her that if she changed her, changes her mind, then she is welcome at her house. Even if it's Christmas morning, she is more than welcome.

Obviously Steve and Sarah aren't invited at all, but it's good that my mom has the option at least. Later reflection, I have realized that he has been trying to target K and my dad's relationship is there very close. They have traveled all over the country visiting class car shows together which Steve has tried to get in on, but he doesn't know anything about cars so there's no point in him going even if they did like him. I actually think he's been trying to push Kay and I out of the family so that he gets my dad to himself, even though my dad can't stand him. Update November 20th, 2024. Hi, I know how much this community loves an update so I thought I would give you one as things seemed to be sorting themselves out, kind of.

After I wrote my last post, a few things happened in the next couple of hours. First thing was that I spoke to my grandparents on my mom's side. They were there when this all happened. But they're like my mom and just constantly try to keep the peace, that's where she gets it from. They were supposed to be spending Christmas with my mom this year but had changed their minds and decided to spend it with my uncle instead. They have made the decision to not be around Steve either as he causes too much drama. They asked if they could come and see us and Jack on the 23rd before they head off to my uncles

which I happily agreed to. This really surprised me and it outright shocked my mom, as like I said they are the biggest take the high-road type people I've ever met, but even they'd had enough. The next thing that happened was my dad called to let me know that Steve and Sarah had now decided that they want Kay to make a public apology in front of the whole family and admit she was lying and that the family loves Steve. He was laughing as he told me this and called them delusional, so any small chance of a superficial apology went out the window. The third thing that happened was Jack getting home from after-school club with a recorder that I am sorely tempted

to shove up the teacher's backside. So all in all it wasn't a great day. Through talking to people on here, I also realized that Steve has been trying to push Kay and I out of the family, organizing trips that he knows we would be able to go on. We wouldn't have gone on them anyway as a weekend away with him sounds worse than a paper cut to the eyeball and him constantly trying to get my dad away from Kay whenever we are all together. I think this is because he is jealous of Kay and Dad's relationship as they're very close and go on trips to classic car shows several times a year together, usually with my granddad as well. Anyway, things went quiet for a few days until the weekend.

Our town has a big Christmas fair that runs from November through December and we always go to it with mom, dad, granddad, Kay's mom. We decided to cheer my mom up a bit to go on Sunday and then out for dinner after. My mom was told that if Sarah or Steve showed up then we would all leave and she promised they wouldn't be there. Things were a bit awkward at first, but settled after a while. At one point Jack got my mom and dad to take him on the giant snow slide and as my mom walked back over to us she had tears in her eyes. I pull her to one side to see what was going on and she said that whilst waiting in line, Jack had said he was happy Uncle Steve wasn't here. When my mom asked

why, he said that Uncle Steve was a bad man. My mom tried to say that he wasn't, but in typical stubborn four-year-old fashion, he had argued and said he learned in school that people who say mean things all the time are bad people and Uncle Steve said mean things all the time so he was a bad man and that he didn't like him. There had been a case of bullying in his class a few weeks ago and the teacher had done a lesson on how wrong bullying is, so I think that's where this came from. This finally broke through to my mom. If even a four-year-old can see what a horrible prick the man is then she had two as well. She said that she felt stuck because she hated Steve. and agreed with everything that Kay has said but she loves Sarah and doesn't want to isolate her.

I told her I would always be there for her, but I wasn't putting myself, Jack or Kay through being around Steve again and she needed to think about what she wants. Not what I want or Dad or Kay or Jack or her parents or Sarah or Steve, but what she wants. She went quiet and then said that Kay's mom had told her she was welcome at hers for Christmas if she wanted to and that she could decide it on Christmas Day if she wanted. K's mom would save her a plate. We went back to the group in a little while later I saw Mom and Kay's mom having a deep discussion whilst walking behind us.

Neither will say what they talked about, but moms seemed a bit happier after their talk. They have also been talking since, as yesterday my mom told me that she will be coming to Kay's moms for Christmas and they've been talking about going shopping together next week. When Mom told Sarah after calling me, Sarah predictably lost her mind and said that mom was choosing us over her. My mom told her she was choosing to have a good Christmas rather than being belittled and made miserable all for the sake of Steve and his so-called honesty. Sarah then called me and asked if I was happy that I'd won. She then did the unforgivable and used a few homophobic slurs towards me and Kay and called Jack the bastard of a whore.

I ended the call, blocked her everywhere and then let my family know what had happened and that I never wanted to speak to her again. They're all as appalled as I am and my gany, mom's mom, called Sarah and apparently told her she was dead to her as she won't have a bigot in the family. Sarah has been trying to reach out to apologize because she knows she has stepped over the unforgivable line, but I've just kept blocking the fake accounts that she's making on IG. Steve tried reaching out to my dad after this and when he eventually answered Steve tried to say that Sarah was just angry and didn't mean it. According to Mom, dad ended up giving him a verbal lashing and told him that he was the worst thing that had ever happened to Sarah and our family.

My dad has told Sarah he is disgusted with her, but will be there for her if she leaves Steve. Until then, good luck. Mom has gone low contact as well, but wants to keep the door open so that Sarah isn't completely isolated. I had a few people saying that Steve may be abusive towards Sarah, but I really don't think he is. He usually acts like a dick when the attention isn't on him. He knows that when he says dickish things then all the attention is on him and he revels in it. After Sarah's outburst, I just think that they're both toxic and feed off each other's toxicity.

She lets him get away with the things he says because she gets pleasure out of watching us all bite our tongues and keep quiet. So, Mom's angry, Dad's angry, our three grandparents are angry, extended family are angry and Kay is being my rock. But I can tell she's really angry about what she said towards Jack. I'm just sad and done with it all. At least now I know what she really thinks about Jack, Kay, and myself, so there's that. Not the Prefect Update, but we move on.

It will be nice this Christmas to have both sides of the family together for the first time and not have to worry about Steve being a dick, but I'm sad that is how my relationship with my sister has ended. I'm trying to get into the Christmas spirit, but it's a tough one right now. The only things that are make me smile are Kay and Jack being goofy idiots to cheer me up, However, the recorder can go to hell. I curse whoever invented the thing, like seriously, fuck you. Thanks for all the support in my original post and opening my eyes to a few things.

Maybe internet strangers are the way to go for advice after all. Hope you all have a good Christmas slash holidays. Next story, wife got mad when I started secretly packing our daughter American lunches because she was being bullied over her cultural food that she brought to school. My wife Sarah, 36F, and I, 35M, have an 11-year-old daughter named Lily. Lily had begun attending sixth grade in September, but this problem only recently became a major issue. Sarah is Indian and makes great dishes that the whole family enjoys, and tends to pack these lunches for Lily as well. She typically packs Lily a rice with Dal and a container or something

similar, which she had no issues with in elementary school. However, recent Recently Lily came sobbing to her mom and I about the lunches she took. The kids at school had been making fun of her food, which absolutely made my heartbreak. I had struggled with the same thing at her age, I come from a Chinese family and would always take homemade food to school too, and when I asked her if she wanted us to report the problem, she begged us not to so she wouldn't be called a snitch or worse. When Sarah heard this, she simply contacted the principal, which I didn't want to resort to at first, left the issue, telling Lily she wouldn't be buying school lunch and to just ignore the other kids.

The same problem occurred every day, Lily would be coming home feeling extremely upset and there were even times Sarah would yell at Lily for not even touching her school lunch. We both had talks with Lily about her culture and how she should be proud, have contacted the schools, but the school is ignorant of the issue, they simply had a talk with the parents and ended it there, and Lily isn't budging. I don't want her to starve, because so many days she doesn't even eat her lunch. I know how brutal middle schoolers can be, and I didn't want Lily to feel insecure or upset even if it meant making her take other lunches, but Sarah refuses to make other lunches. I began to make other lunches for Lily, like sandwiches, or sometimes

mac and cheese, so she'd feel more comfortable eating it in school in front of her classmates as a final resort when nothing else worked. I would take Lily's lunch for myself at work and pack her own lunch early in the morning, which she finished and seemed happier when coming home daily after. However, this only worked for about two weeks until Sarah found out and was infuriated. She said I was denying Lily her culture and she needed to learn to stop being insulted by other kids, telling me I'm raising Lily to get whatever she wants. Is Sarah right? Ida. Bringing this post and topic up tonight, I'll post an update when I can. Hopefully this is enough to convince Sarah if not, I'll do what other comments said and just keep packing Lily's

lunch or let her pick. Comments where OPP has replied, commenter, NTA, you don't have to use every single meal to celebrate your culture. Getting the kid to eat something is way more important. Oh, O P, 100%. She's been eating her lunches since I switched them out Sarah. I think Sarah's heart is in the right place. I'm talking to her soon but otherwise I agree she's not exactly going out with it in the right way we can preserve her culture in other ways at home. Update one, okay, so I'll start by saying, thank you for all the comments. A lot of people agreed with me, some told me I should let Lily pick her lunch. I showed the post to Sarah and it took about an hour or so, but we both sat down and talked with Lily on where she wants to go from here and she said she liked the lunches I packed

her, etc. However, we also figured out this bullying had been going on for longer than just two to three weeks. So Sarah agreed to let Lily take whatever lunch she wanted on the condition that she'd eat homemade food, Chinese or Indian, for dinner slash breakfast still and we all agreed, so Sarah got her part in it. As for the school, since the principal hardly did anything, we reached out to the school board superintendent and are still waiting for a response. I think this to solve the issue better too, and when we get a response I'll post a second update. Thank you for the advice. Update 2, So, I'm sorry for taking so long to update. But we managed to resolve everything.

The superintendent and school board were actually incredibly helpful and got back to us within two days to schedule a meeting about this. I don't want to go too much into detail, but there were two specific girls who played a big role in the bullying. I believe one of them got detention for some time, and another got suspended because she'd done this before. Their parents were also super apologetic and supportive of Lily, and didn't try to get in the way of the consequences which really was nice.

As for Lily, she is doing much better and is definitely more content and happier when she comes home from school. Thank you.