I Have Just Discovered That I Have A Half-Sister Who My Dad Doesn't Care For r/Relationships

[@RadioOppy1]

“Why do you care so much?!” “Because you raised me to!!!” That hit me hard

[@amberleeannalee1999]

I cried during the first story because the brother was a kind empathetic giving human being. There is too much hate and selfishness in todays society. Marks compassion is the same. Tis why this channel is my first go to every day

[@audreym3908]

And so was OPs wife since it was her who suggested that she should stay with them.

[@jessicawolfe5861]

I felt that way too. He is a kind person. We need more kind people.

[@renukashetty9043]

L

[@RJLiams]

It's the same amount of hatred that exist 100 years ago. It's just the internet has made us more aware of it.

[@dillongage]

​@@RJLiams its waaaaay less hatred than 100 years ago.

[@Emily-ck9ji]

Story 1: The comment the father made to OP about him being "a better man" and the anger OP's mother had when OP said he was going to contact his stepsister makes me think that the father's cruelty was largely done on behalf of his wife. I wonder if OP's mother gave her husband an ultimatum once his affair came to light. Edit: Poor Anna. It sounds like she has struggled her whole life and never got the support she needed. The fact she feels like a burden was likely engrained into her because that was the way her father treated her. OP is a remarkable man and I'm so impressed by what he's done for his sister. Same goes for OP's wife. What a beautiful family.

[@iamalbertwesker2]

Yeah, it does seem that way with the absolute meltdown she had

[@keplersdream901]

Yes, let's feel soooo ssooooory for the cheater. I'm not a fan of the mother, but the father is the first-class asshole here. Stop with the sexism.

[@Emily-ck9ji]

@@keplersdream901 Seriously? ... I'm not sympathizing with the father (he's garbage) - just trying to understand his motivation. Especially when it came to the daughter he tried to pretend didn't exist and refused to help. Whether he likes it or not, his daughter is carrying his grandchild. And he was willing to let his child and grandchild get thrown into the street. SHE did nothing wrong. The only "crime" she committed was being born. Neither of OP's parents look good here, but I completely understand the mother's resentment. I don't blame her at all. I also don't blame OP for wanting to know his half-sister (which was the entire point of his post). He's a good man who recently discovered that he had been lied to his entire life.

[@raymondjohnson2744]

@@keplersdream901 can you give an example of the sexism you're accusing this commenter of or are you just misusing sexism as a buzzword because you don't agree with what they said ?

[@iamalbertwesker2]

@@raymondjohnson2744 probably the latter

[@LetholdusKaspyr]

That last story... "Surprise! I'm pregnant again! I'm not going to raise the baby, of course, but you can! Have fun for the next twenty years!" No good deed goes unpunished.

[@PrincessQ-fj9ly]

Yikes! I would've noped out of there as quickly as possible. Dumping your own children on someone else? Nope. Just put them up for adoption if you can't take care of them.

[@user-wr3vt8uq4s]

It's twice as outrageous that the rest of the family have any objection to such a baby dump announcement. And yeah, I can see that one's energy levels are going to be way worse in their 60s rather than their 40s. Not to mention having to pay for everything. God, people like Kelly are a blight on the world.

[@francit4856]

.. and a blight on the lives of any children they produce.

[@jessicawolfe5861]

Story 2: wtf? He doesn’t need the code. He is trying a power play. It’s very weird that he expects access to your collection. Loved the cat comment 😂

[@amberleeannalee1999]

Kelly sees opal as a younger sis and is jealous of her. Don’t help her NO way. It’s called learned helplessness when we as parents help too much. Opal knows her grandparents are her REAL parents.

[@heraclito3114]

Last story. Sometimes doing things in private doesn't help and it's better to shame people in public.

[@HaleyJo1992]

Story 2: Letting you move in IS a huge show of trust.

[@andthatsshannii]

Story 3: I’m the Opal in this situation. My mum was a young parent and got married when I was in my teens. Now I’m a 25 year old with 2 year old and 5 year old sisters. My mum was often available for me so not as bad as Kelly. However, she was a workaholic and always emotionally/mentally checked out, even when we were on holiday. I spent a lot of time being ignored by her even if she was physically there for me. Raised by my grandmother and now I’m watching 64 year old grandma basically raise my siblings too so my mum can overwork herself. I feel so sorry for my grandma. She’s gotten soft in her old age and now I am the one who has to discipline the girls. I give them time outs and consequences for their actions. My mum screams my name when the 5 year old is being rude or lashing out. One time, she was throwing food during a pub lunch and I had to pick her up and sit on an empty table with her until she calmed down and apologised. My mum just kept chatting with her friends, who were staring at her weirdly, wondering why her daughter was the one to do this. I do not recommend that any grandparents allow their kids to take advantage of them like this.

[@GBunnyG]

Story 3 makes me maaaaaaaad. My mom raised my sister's first child after she neglected her and lost custody when she was 2 years old. My youngest niece is being raised by her father (mostly her paternal grandparents) because my sister was either too high or too incarcerated to take care of her. My youngest nephew IS being "raised" by my sister, in that she hasn't lost custody yet, but she is horribly neglectful. She also owes over $30,000 in child support. The oldest child is now 22 years old, and I am raising her son after the cycle repeated. And now her SECOND CHILD is being threatened to be adopted out to some terrible far flung family members. STORY 3 MAKES ME MAD. ALL AROUND. ALL. AROUND. STOP HAVING BABIES IF YOU'RE GOING TO ABANDON THEM. STOP. IT. SCREW KELLY AND HER BOYFRIEND.

[@GBunnyG]

Side note: I have considered venting this entire story onto a Reddit thread somewhere. Problem is, absolutely no one would believe it because INSANITY.

[@MsAquamonkey]

The first story almost made me cry. OP is a saint. I wish him, his sister and her baby all the best.

[@Mewse1203]

Story 1: NTA and I don't blame OP. Both parents are acting terribly. I get mom may not want anything to do with her because she's the product of an affair, but dad just abandoned her. This just showed OP who his parents really are. Edit: OP and his wife are amazing people. How could his parents be so horrible...

[@manxiefeathermoon9888]

Why should the victim of cheating care of the affair baby? Why is always the wife who was cheated on expected to care for the affair kid but the husband who was cheated on is given a free pass to abandon the affair baby? Fuck that double standard

[@Mewse1203]

@@manxiefeathermoon9888 did you not read where I said "I get mom may not want anything to do with her"? That doesn't mean she didn't act terribly...

[@manxiefeathermoon9888]

@@Mewse1203 how did she act terriblly? Why is not wanting anything with the affair baby make her terrible? My statement stands still

[@Mewse1203]

@@manxiefeathermoon9888 Her husband fucked up, not OP, not his sister. It doesn't matter how the baby was made, that kid is innocent and so is OP. Keeping then apart was terrible. She could have told OP if dad didn't want to and let OP make a choice of whether to have a relationship with his sister. Instead, she took that choice away and HURT two people. A good person would encourage their spouse to have a proper relationship with his child regardless of circumstances. A good person would make sure that the innocent people weren't negatively affected by circumstances outside their control. They wouldn't be ANGRY at their son for wanting a relationship with his SISTER. Mom doesn't have to have anything to do with the kid, but she acted terribly by not making her husband stand up and be a man and deal with the consequences of his affair. In fact subtext seems to indicate she did the opposite and KEPT him from his kid. That's not confirmed, but it's fairly obvious. She blames the kid for existing when it isn't her fault. We have to stop this "affair baby" nonsense. It's just a BABY. That terminology is just a way to denigrate an innocent child so that we don't have to feel for them and can treat them poorly. It's a way to make them inferior and less deserving. They are innocent and deserve as much love and respect as any other human. And NO one gave dad a free pass. In fact, I specifically said "they both acted terribly" but said at least mom has a reason that's understandable...dad is just an asshole who abandoned his kid.

[@mr.protagonist5639]

@@manxiefeathermoon9888 her not wanting anything to do with the child(calling her affair baby is kinda disgusting low key) is not the problem. The problem is her reaction to the brother wanting to which is not her call. Also, what are talking about? Can you please actually read the comment before you reply? Who is giving the dad a free pass?

[@cnow82]

A young, pregnant woman alone as punishment for her parents actions and people are focused on reading the letter??? If I saw a letter addressed father when my SO is supposed to be an only child. I would definitely read that shit. Reddit is so f-ing weird sometimes. That allowed 2 people to connect. 🙄🤬

[@Russman67]

Story 2: I tried real hard but I can't see a good reason why the boyfriend needs access to that safe. Everything about him trying to get access is suspect. Frankly, I wouldn't want access if for no other reason then to help OP maintain security. Nothing good comes from him having it aside from someone getting a free gem because Oops!

[@KCohere33]

He’s planning a heist.

[@somedragonbastard]

Like, my parents know each other like the backs of their hands and have been together over 20 years, but they still have stuff the other can't access. That guy is either insanely controlling, trying to rob her, or both.

[@pickle_pup8187]

OP needs to ask BF to leave if he keeps pushing it. Also, he need to have his own safe. She needs to have him separate his items out of her smaller safe. I don’t trust him. Getting all of the 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩

[@JDKT002]

My best friends mother was a victim to a long con not dissimilar to this. Not with anything THAT expensive. But long con artists will spend years building trust and clean you out when the opportunity comes to get away clean and quietly. Even if that's not the case, every person who knows the code is a security risk. There's no guarantee he won't go bragging about it to his friends and the wrong person overhears it. No guarantee he won't cave to peer pressure and show it to his friends and something goes missing. Trust doesn't come before common sense. If someone says "if you trust me, you'll give me this sensitive information", what they are actually saying is "I don't trust you, so I want access to these parts of your life I have no business in."

[@thebigmystery7841]

"She asked me why I cared and got upset and told her, 'because she taught me to'". If she had any, ANY semblance of being a good mother in any capacity, that shouldve been like a punch to the gut. Any mother should feel ashamed of themselves if they heard that...

[@golden_leader9227]

OP in story 1 makes me feel better about humanity as a whole. Well done OP, you're a genuinely good person and brother, you're gonna be an amazing parent too. His in-laws supporting him is another level of awesome. /tbh i would have done the same.

[@rosemaryconstable5620]

Give him ‘A’ code, if he comes to you later and says it didn’t work, well, ‘but you said you would never use it, this proves you a liar, there’s the door!’

[@angelalee7012]

13: 35 "What is he? A cat?" Ahahaha. Golden comment.

[@LisaApril]

Story two: the moment the “boyfriend” asked for the code to the safe I thought - he’s been checking out this lady from afar, know she’s a jeweler, figured out her address which is probably in a good neighborhood, knows she had a lot of money and set out to get to know her. This isn’t a boyfriend of love this is a boyfriend Who wants to rip her off. Yes, I think like that.

[@carolroberts4614]

I think you may be right!

[@kristinecollier8113]

First story broke my heart all the way around for both siblings!! So happy she moved in with OP! Best outcome for them both, and his wife rocks for being so understanding!!!

[@francit4856]

Gemologist. Absolutely right to not give him the code. He could be playng a long con. Huge red flag that he's insisted on having the code.

[@kyriacarica5862]

Kelly: "We're so busy with our lives! We don't have time to raise a baby!" Also Kelly: *keeps having babies* Am I the only one who thinks she likes the *attention* she gets from being pregnant and nothing else?

[@PrincessQ-fj9ly]

No. I noticed that with quite a few women in the stories I read. Some women really do love the attention they receive, although all women get that same attention during pregnancy, so it's not that special.

[@navi2710]

People who have been abandoned by their parents and their family dream of having a family of their own. I am getting desgusted by people like you think they have the right to judge people for having childrens. Even now majority of the developed world is preparing for a reduction in childrens being born and the population becoming older and older. Here we have people like you who seem to think you have the right to judge someone because they don't meet your standards for being worthy to have a child. Pathetic.

[@KittenLove536]

for the grandma one, they did exactly the right thing imo. It was Opal's night, Kelly took that from *her daughter* so the grandma clapped back with telling her she wont get any help from them in front of everyone. The night was already ruined, the grandma just added to that and they seem the type to later apologize to opal and make up for it (which they do.) Plus if the g-ma didnt say that, it would cause issues with the family anyway because Kelly can say that them being happy for her was them agreeing to help raise the baby and split the family anyway. edit: spelling/grammer

[@Flakey101]

I agree with you, and disagree with Mark's nitpick. Kelly needed to be slammed down hard, imediately and in public so Kelly could not twist things later with the rest of the family. This is another one of those times Op should be going to her family "You agree with Kelly, well done and I will tell Kelly you are taking in the baby"

[@atinyevil1383]

Story 3: NTA Kelly sounds like my mother. She pops out kids and expects other people to take care of them, while remaining the “fun parent” (irresponsible parent) when she feels like it. Thankfully, I had a dad and his parents to raise me, but I understand how unstable of a relationship this is. It makes you feel like it’s something wrong with you. And I can understand why OP wouldn’t want to go through that again. Kelly needs to take some responsibility. She’s 32 years old.

[@brigidtheirish]

Yeah. There's nothing wrong with having lots of kids, but you *have to be a PARENT to them.* Children aren't toys.

[@PrincessQ-fj9ly]

@@brigidtheirish I agree. If you can't take care of children and be a response parent, then you shouldn't be having children/babies.

[@juanhaines7295]

Story 1 op is such a good guy. To offer to take her in questions asked. I hope the sister gets some help.

[@debipearson8762]

Story 3 I vote NTA. I had to take custody of my 3 grandchildren as babies, and together with my youngest daughter (17), them. I was 46 years old. Their mother literally had nothing to do with them. Dated and became engaged to an attorney who believed that the children were her sister's kids. Her friends no nothing of her being a mother. To this day they will call her mother, but I'm Mama. I've tried to teach them not to hate her but they want nothing to do with her. Especially her son and youngest daughter. I'm now going on 73. I got them when they were 10 months, 1 and 2 years. The boy being the youngest. They're now 30, 31, and 32. They're very protective of me. It's going to be Kelly's loss for not being there for her children. I know. I'm a witness.

[@sherrygibbs7547]

OP showed enough of her "trust" in that guy, to let him move in to her house and gave him the combo to a shared safe. Every person who has a job, has things about that job, that they cannot share with their partner. The gem safe is part of OPs job, and not something she can share with the partner.

[@bun04y]

OP said that this safe was NOT for her job...just her personal collection. HOWEVER, the BF is the AH for even asking for that combo. Wtf? That isn't a sign of trust, it is a sign of stupidity. Toss that hoser out!

[@sherrygibbs7547]

@@bun04y Although OP said the gems are designated as not for work, at any given time Op might decide that a particular gem might be "just the perfect gem" for a particular person/customer. Or, the gems might be for OP to increase their skills (cutting/grading/setting/etc), rather than for selling. So, I "included them" (loosely), in my comment about work related things. 🙂

[@fishbowl5308]

I'd say she didn't I was with you till op answered in the comments that he had to sign a contract to move in. That's like asking a stable partner for a prenup. It is precisely as untrustworthy

[@Davtwan]

Even if what he says is true, going for “principal of the matter” situations over passwords when nothing ever came up in the first place is a really dumb thing.

[@lukaseldenrust2637]

@@fishbowl5308 prenups protect both parties tho, I’d probably never get married without one (and I have next to no assets or inheritance)

[@crem-crem4070]

Story 1: I don’t think I could ever really be a part of my parents’ lives if I found out about this kind of thing. My dad wasn’t able to be around my eldest brother because he was a political exile and literally had to flee the country not too long after my brother was born. Even then, with my dad being young, exiled and not in a relationship with my brother’s mom my dad did everything he could to support my brother, even after my brother reached adulthood. I don’t understand people who can just write off children like that.

[@indianspartan76]

Story 1 update: if the dad is feeling shame, he has the power to fix it now. He's choosing to stay in his shame

[@dillongage]

My thinking is that his wife (OPs mom) threatened him in the past. Something like "cut contact with your daughter or I will take (OP) and leave and you will never see him again" I have seen that exact situation play out IRL. However, OP is now an adult and has been for 8 or so years, if im remembering his age correctly. At this point (OPs) Father has no valid reason to neglect his daughter.

[@indianspartan76]

​@@dillongage That is possible. He didn't say anything when confronted

[@Buff_Helpy]

Story 3; mark, all due respect what the heck else was she supposed to do? Let her keep blathering on and believing that, no, Kelly already hijacked opals moment, putting that trash bag in her place for ruining opals accomplishment after everything she's already done was the least they could do. I seriously don't see how else they were supposed to handle it.

[@oompazilla]

Dear god, WHAT A GOOD BROTHER. Honestly, I don't think OP's wife is that much of an AH either -- because throwing a handwritten letter away unread is so suspect, and it also seemed like it was a lapse in judgement. She felt bad right away. The fact that they BOTH agreed to open up the home to this struggling woman is so beautiful, and it already seems like she's starting to heal with the support given to her. I hope to hear from these guys again soon and see how they've bonded and blossomed.

[@janenorwood1614]

Op's mom wouldn't allow the father to have anything to do with Ana! Thus his dad's remark about him being the better man. But isn't it a federal offense to read someone's mail?

[@yourlocalcoffeeaddict9603]

if it's in the trash then maybe not?

[@dillongage]

Its a federal offense to OPEN someones mail. Keep that in mind, the police can read your mail if they find it in the garbage outside your house. ALWAYS shred/burn your letters. I 100% believe the father planted that letter so it would get found. Im a guy, but if I found a letter addressed "Mother" in my garbage, I would for sure read it to see if my SO has a child I dont know about. OPs father KNEW what he was doing. He could have kept the letter, burned the letter, flushed it down the toilet, etc. But instead he gently placed it on the top of a presumably nearly full garbage can. Thats on purpose.

[@RedReaper666OG]

Story 1: I low-key am jealous of OP's sister. If my big brothers cared about me even a fraction of what OP cares for her then growing up wouldn't have been so lonely...

[@lienemeid]

You are keeping me company either to paint another wall or for a nap. I'm thinking maybe nap. Yes, nap! Hope you're well x

[@MarkNarrations]

How many walls left Lien?! 😁

[@lienemeid]

@@MarkNarrations all but the one coat I just sloppily did in the conservatory haha. The doors and skirting boards are finished though! I'm such a conversational wizard aren't I, talking about my walls and doors online, exhilarating stuff, Lien 😂

[@itsjustme7487]

Nap for me, too.

[@lienemeid]

@@itsjustme7487 naps are always a good choice, have a good sleep!

[@DarkDreamsAndMoonlitNights]

The OP in the first one is pure class, along with his wife. I feel so bad for the sister. All Anna wanted was some cupcakes for her birthday and she felt bad for even asking for those. I feel so terrible for Anna and her baby. She's clearly had a rough life.

[@amethystanne4586]

Story one …. OP is a good brother. He stepped up immediately for his sister. What brought tears to my eyes was [paraphrased] “My in-laws told me they were proud of me.”

[@Jxfjfjbfkv]

I am so happy that story turned out the way it did. I was a bit nervous his sister way not be a good person. I’m so glad she is and that they are able to help her. His dad is a pathetic person, and so is his mom.

[@maggpiprime954]

In the last story, I think the only way OP might be the kinda TA, is that they didn't shut down Kelly's baby convo immediately. As in: "Today is Opal's day. We are not talking about this now. Either you shut up, or leave."

[@ShadeoftheRaven]

While I personally agree with you, doing it in front of the entire family keeps Kelly from being able to twist their words/actions to suit her narrative at a later point. Honestly, it struck me as a bit of a "pick your poison" moment

[@maggpiprime954]

@@ShadeoftheRaven Good point.

[@zerobolt9506]

@@ShadeoftheRaven yea this was dam if you do dam if you don't situation, they went with the best choice here giving everything

[@Swnsasy]

I am so sick and tired of men step outside their own marriage, get the person pregnant because they are so disgusting they cannot use protection and then take zero responsibility.. The father isn't ashamed, if he was he would step up!! I understand his mother doesn't want the reminder but my goodness it's not her fault. If the father paid for 18yrs and that's what he meant, he's already paid though? Anyway, I'm still side eyeing the father, gross! He doesn't need the code to gem safe. He has zero need for it at all. Absolutely not. He's just a boyfriend and he doesn't need it at all and him not understanding that is a red flag to me..

[@raymondjohnson2744]

I can agree with that. I have low expectations for people shitty enough to have affairs, but at least take care of your kids and don't pass them off as your betrayed spouse's. If you don't want a kid or anymore kids with someone or at all, then you shouldn't be sleeping with them if you're both capable of procreating or without protection. Though later isn't an 100% guarantee especially when it comes to condoms which has at least a 3 ish % failure rate even when perfectly applied every time.

[@davidsantiagotate7380]

What a great big brother in story 1! I’m glad things seem to be looking up for his sister

[@catte.]

So excited for the video! I'm currently cleaning my flat and like listening to you while doing it to make it more entertaining 😄 today I saw a dog who looked just like Poppy, I bet it's her long lost twin lol

[@MarkNarrations]

Double poppy?! That's too much sass for the world

[@ginathecookie]

@@MarkNarrations haha This made me laugh and after the day I had I really needed it Poppy is already cute, it'd also be double adorableness!

[@jeneden3492]

Story 2: Huh, give me the code as a sign of trust? That's like the "sleep with me to show me you love me" bs Idk, this fellow is not be trusted. She should kick him out of her house and her life, this is just too sus

[@richardhandcock]

She should give him a fake code and tell him "You don't ever need to open that safe, but I'm going to give you the code because I trust you'll never use it" then dump him when he complains about the code being fake. Or just dump him, that would quicker.

[@AndyyWithAY]

Story 2 absolutely NTA. You already gave him the code to the other safe. That was a big show of trust. He is very suspicious.

[@plantemor]

First story was a total tearjerker, omg

[@mysticaccy]

Story 2: I fear for OP safety after she dumps him, i hope OP gets a camera or if she gets threatening text message she needs to get a restraining order. NEVER share valuables with a boyfriend, he needs to become her husband before ever getting a shareand if she does plan to marry she needs to have a prenup.

[@raindropgaming2683]

Story 1's update made me nearly cry. It was so sweet. The sister crying at seeing stuff for her b day was a sweet

[@ilbercgross4736]

story two. trust goes both ways. if he needs the code for trust, OP needs to tell him he has to trust her for not giving the code.

[@EphemeraImaging]

And also hand over his PIN and other codes, lol. "JusT To sHoW YoU TrUsT Me' lol.

[@nareegreel]

Story 1: made me shed tears, OP is a really good brother.

[@TheOtherSideoftheLookingGlass]

*Story 1 was the most heartbreaking and wholesome story I’ve heard from Reddit. If everyone was like OP, the world would be a much kinder place. I hope we can all learn from OP and pay our good fortune forward and that hopefully his and his sister’s children will have the familial relationship that they were denied since childhood.* 😢

[@TheArnaa]

Story 1: dad says he won’t see Anna because he’s ashamed. He should be ashamed because his behaviour is despicable, but it’s just another excuse to avoid doing anything to help her. He could easily provide support for by using OP as an intermediary if he actually wanted to help her but couldn’t face her.

[@alittleoflolo]

Story one sounded like the beginning of a true crime or horror story but I’m glad there was no twist, just a good dude taking care of his newfound sis.

[@jamesthorne7789]

In the story with the half sister. I would have commented but I'm way late to the party. I would wager that to save his marriage, the father had to turn his back on the half sister, a demand of ops mother. Mother stayed quiet during father's blow-up because, father was doing exactly as he was supposed to after years of her using it against him. This is confirmed by father telling son he's proud of him for being better than him. Mother refusing to visit further reinforces this fact, that she is the real bad guy in this situation. If you're going to reconcile then reconcile. But don't punish an innocent child.

[@dillongage]

100%. I have seen this EXACT situation play out IRL. "Cut contact with Child A, or I will take Child B and leave, and you will never see them again" He was forced into a situation where he had to abandon one child no matter what he did. Usually this scenario happens because they're highly religious and they dont want to divorce.

[@emanx222]

Just finished a grueling shift after an intense weekend, hearing Mark's intro will never not make me smile 😁💙🔥

[@JRMAV1]

The 2nd story. Give him the code, let him use it in front of you. Then later switch it and see what happens.

[@LusterDust]

Ana reminds me so much of myself. I'm so happy for her, I hope she becomes much more confident in herself, that she finds family with her brother and sister in law. That she DESERVES a beautiful ice cream cake and her favorite books. I hope she knows she's loved by a bunch of strangers on the internet, years later.

[@sadraccoonboy]

Oh man that first story has me emotional op and the wife and sister are so sweet I didn’t expect to tear up but here I am 🥺💕

[@mellabihitsugya9826]

Could test him, move the real ones and leave fake ones in there.

[@TsukiKageTora]

The first story OP’s wife should not feel guilty reading someone else’s mail if that someone else threw it away in her trash without so much as knowing that someone else threw it out. If the dude didn’t want anyone to read it, he should burn it or rip it up.

[@dave7865]

Story 1 I get the feeling that the decision to not be in daughters life was forced on Dad

[@dillongage]

Yep. Ive seen it before. "Cut contanct with Child A, or I will take Child B and leave, and you will never see them again" Classic damned if you do, damned if you don't. He had to abandon someone either way, because wife was too immature to divorce his cheating ass and co-parent like an adult.

[@coureenlawrence4915]

​@@dillongagestop blaming the mom, dad made his choice. Obviously, his daughter didn't mean anything to him. No one knows if he would be in her life even if the wife had divorced him.

[@theprodigaltrue]

Why do people always need validation from other family members if they did the right thing or not?

[@oliviabean8264]

If I found out either of my parents where okay with just abandoning my step sibling for the crime of being an "affair baby" I'd disown both of them at the first opportunity.

[@MJISA5]

I am waiting for my AITA post to be judges while watching your video. Thank you for another amazing video!

[@CharlesGriswold]

Story 1: I live across the street from an onion processing plant (yes, really). That must be why my eyes are watering.

[@jeannebuttons5301]

Kelly's Announcement Prompts Immediate Boundary Placement: NTA. A woman who steals a life event to announce their own is already sh*ty enough, but also doing so at the graduation party of the daughter she never bothered raising is an extra special steaming pile. I think it was the correct thing to immediately put the kibosh on her plans since she got child care out of OP once she was undoubtedly going to try for it again. Also this was a good way to steal away the thunder that Kelly had taken from Opal imo.

[@meganfenton856]

Hey Mark! Thanks for helping out another of my fave YT readers, Lost Genre! It's great to see you all as a community rather than competitors! Love your style, and love you! Thanks again!

[@louellacharlton4425]

Tyvm Mark. Stay safe please Peace

[@MarkNarrations]

You too louella! 😁

[@epimetheaus1214]

Letters and bills can accidentally end up in the trash, I've had it happen before and double check things like that myself. If it's that private, don't just randomly throw it in some public bin like that, dispose of it with care, hold onto it and shred it later or make an extra walk to the main outside bin and shove it in there nice and deep.

[@KCohere33]

I can’t understand how people treat their kids like this, as if they’re not human beings with feelings. I’m glad she has a loving and compassionate brother and sister in law.

[@Orbitalmercury]

I was told when I was 16 that I had a half sister who had been adopted out. I always kinda felt there was someone else, just some kind of connection. At 22 years of age she rang us at Xmas after tracking us down , we had been looking too but she had better luck. For the last 34 years I've had a lovely big sis and I'm her little bro. Below me are five more siblings . She gets along with them well but you'd think we were twins as we have so much in common and we didn't even grow up together. She such a great person and my best friend. Shame she lives 1000 KMs away but we still stay in touch and have stayed over at each other's place when we've been in each other's city. Siblings are great to have and they should all be each other's good friends . I'm so glad I met mine as much as OP has in this story. Gotta love your family if they're good because sometimes they're the only ones you can fully trust in life if you have good siblings . Story 2, NTA he has zero rights or need to know the code for that gem safe. I have a gun safe which I use for valuable stuff and no one knows how to get in and no one has even asked.

[@rosemarie1817]

I love your videos! I'm doing laundry while listening to this one! OP in the first story is so sweet, his half sister, poor darling, deserves extra love 🥺 If you have a baby with the sole purpose of giving it up for adoption and expecting your parents to adopt it, maybe you shouldn't have a baby....

[@selbarton]

1. So a federal crime was okay by taking their mail as her own; a person with two parents trying to use daddy as a bank is okay. But not putting the sins of the parents on him isn't? He feels betrayed, but doesn't see how his wife betrayed even basic privacy by digging their mail from the trash to snoop. There is no way she didn't know what she was doing. It doesn't make his dad right, but he is okay with a complete lack of even the most simple of privacy boundaries. Then the half sister is so desperate she doesn't need his money, then comes up with an excuse to move that removes a way to send her back. It's easier to play a part the less they interact. 2. Giving the code to the one is far too trusting for that new a relationship. He's looking for a cash grab. Start eviction and find someone who doesn't try to manipulate into getting control of everything. 3. They decided to set the precedent that giving birth and ditching the kid on them was an option. They have said raising a grandchild is okay with them until now where in front of the grandchild they declared how horrible raising a grandchild is. Instead of turning the announcement back to the grandchild as guest of honor, they chose to turn it into an argument to make it even less about her. They never taught their daughter responsibility. They taught her they take in the children she throws away. They are teaching the 16 year old grandchild her special moments, her achievements come second to whatever drama mom and grandma want to create for everyone. There is zero excuse for doing that to Opal, but she's needed a therapist for all that her entire life because there is no way these types of drama are new.

[@winterkind1772]

Story 1: There are sooo many sides here. First NTA for the original question. I think I would have felt the same and it's not like the parents were homeless or smth. I did think that it was weird of the wife to read the letter but... maybe I would have been curios too? I don't know. I'm having a weird day so excuse me please. But still. No matter how OP found out - he did and I can only imagine the amount of feelings that were caused by this. I have to admit. I was a bit worried after the updates if the sister might be acting? But that's because my family is full of shitty people and I'm working on my view of other people. I am glad how it all turns out - even though I am a little sorry for OPs mother who lives with a cheating coward... yeah her decision and all but still. Story 2: Lol NTA. The job sounds amazing! I love stones and gems and minerals. But this partner is weird... This is not about trust. Throw that man out. Story 3: NTA. I am sorry for OP. Yes, they raised kelly and maybe her behaviour is partly their fault as well. But now that Kelly is an adult she has to act like one. I hope Opal is doing okay.

[@reggiebrown4911]

So you'd be ok if someone read a a personal letter that was specifically addressed to you because they were curious?

[@winterkind1772]

@@reggiebrown4911 It's more that I am used to it from my family. (Yes I am in therapy about many things my family taught me) I am unlearning things like this that's why I said I think that it's weird that op just brushed over the fact that his wife did this.

[@clarehidalgo]

@@reggiebrown4911 This is why you don't throw out private letters in other people's houses, you take it home with you and put it through the shredder just to be safe

[@reggiebrown4911]

@@clarehidalgo not an excuse...it was in the trash

[@doggolovescheese1310]

What a wonderful brother, and what horrible parents,

[@yourlocalcoffeeaddict9603]

fr fr

[@nikoking825]

What's with the people calling OP's wife the AH in story 1?? The letter was thrown out, fair game. It's not like she was opening FIL's mail.

[@CouncilEstateRach]

Moral of the story....NEVER EVER READ SOMEONE ELSES MAIL, DIARY OR PHONES.

[@lazychickqueen4734]

Story 2: I probably would have given him a fake code and then waited to hear if he had the gumption to cry to me about the code not working.

[@bunnyslippers191]

"...how on earth am I ever going to say I've been a good father if I can't be a good brother?" *tears*

[@only1one1me]

Story 2: Trust is given, not demanded of.

[@greenbeacon394]

Story 1: if somebody throws their mail in your trash, it’s fair game to go through it

[@JamesSmith-xp9ix]

Hey Mark I love your videos and they really help get through mowing in record breaking heat.

[@catherinetiernan5888]

Well done to you and your wife. You are both giving her some stability,I doubt she has had much support or indeed love in her life. Ye are good people.

[@Locstarryael]

First story: This same thing happened to my dad, caused him to start drinking cause it was too much to handle. Family secrets are never beneficial to anyone.

[@shirleyjohnson1930]

In the last story, where sometimes this doesn't apply but "where you start the fire is where you put it out". The chick said it to everyone so a response was due her in front of everyone. If she and the baby daddy were too busy to take care of and raise a child then they should have been extra careful not to create one.

[@Lestaticate]

Story 3: I hope Opal has a place with her grandparents… when her mother inevitably tries to make her a live-in-nanny.

[@tegantalks9612]

Kelly is an awful person. My parents are the same age as OP and her husband and I can’t imagine just dumping my kids on them. They are more than happy to help out when they can but I don’t expect them to raise my children for me unless I die.

[@alenasenie6928]

Story 1: given the comments of the father, i am almost sure the father decided to do what the mother asked "you are a better man than I" just after he stood up to the mother, it was his choice at the end of the day, but, for me, this makes both equally bad, i have half sisters, and neither mother put any barriers, i am older, but my father lives with my sisters, so, there was no reconciliation, but my mother did everything she was able for us to have a healthy relationship with our father, and my sister's mother did not put barriers that i know of.

[@insideAdirtyMind]

your half sisters are from your fathers affair and now your mother has to play happy mommy to his affair children? your father is horrible, destroying your mothers soul like this and still going on to do so by demanding a relationship with his affair lady.

[@tserln1149]

Goodness, not every woman is Mother Teresa, Op's mother doesn't own ANYTHING to the living breathing reminder of her husband's affair, she was a victim herself. It was on HIM to take care/support his daughter and if he really wanted to do so he could. If op's mother gave him an ultimatum that she didn't want to do to anything with his illegitimate child (and doesn't have to)he should've taken the responsibility for HIS actions and got a divorce. HE should've told his son that he now has a half-sister out of nowhere and try to explain him why they have have different mothers and look in his eyes after that. Man just didn't want to face the consequence of destroying good stable family by cheating. Wouldn't all of that traumatize Op as a kid? It probably was kept as a secret for his sake. Of course woman still doesn't want an affair child to be a part of her family and feels angry as she probably thinks that is what's happening now. But you can't control what you feel for f@ck's sake! She isn't responsible for her husband's decisions and certainly she is not as bad as he is

[@damien678]

Story 3: it always feels weird to me how mad americans can get about not being polite. But I already know us aussies are way more straightforward than yanks and poms 🤷‍♀️

[@kbf9644]

Reading someone’s mail and abandoning a child and lying to their kid are both AH behavior. Nobody claimed they were equally so.

[@ScooterBond1970]

Agree. A "lesser evil" is still evil.

[@Russman67]

OP is a much better human than the parents who raised him. I get that Anna existing has got to be a constant reminder of her husband's betrayal, but she didn't ask to be here. Want to hate someone, hate husband. He chose to cheat and father a child, then ghost her and his grand child. Glad Anna is getting support from OP and his wife.

[@truecrimelover82]

I'm so so glad that the wife read the letter!!

[@denisegoofygirl3727]

The story where he finds out his dad had a child out of wedlock with his mistress sounds a lot like survivors guilt even though both siblings are alive.

[@flashingunicorncupcakekiss1436]

I hope that all half siblings could be as good to each other as OP was to his half sister.

[@Silence-1170]

Hi waffles wishing you all well! Hope y'all have a great start of your week! Have a great Monday waffles!

[@MarkNarrations]

Hey hey Silence hope all is good friend

[@broken_queer_but_fighting8589]

You too m8 much love 💜💜🤗🤗

[@Silence-1170]

@@MarkNarrations Yup Everything's going well!

[@carolroberts4614]

Hello Silence! Have a good week yourself!

[@Silence-1170]

@@carolroberts4614 Thank You! You as well!

[@Josku2411]

Oop early and finally got overvoltage protection outlets(aka if lightning strikes wrong the outlet will bear the brunt instead of my devices)

[@potatoempress5731]

Last Story: Put people in pressured spot, be prepared to be humiliated. Bluntness is the least of what Kelly deserves. OP should cut contact and take Opal away, Kelly needs consequences.

[@christinawhitehead4034]

So moms decision to keep the marriage going was probably to ignore the child of her husbands affair

[@Ospyro3em]

Currently watching this while ill in bed. Thanks for giving me something to listen to.

[@carolroberts4614]

Hope you get better soon!

[@Ospyro3em]

@@carolroberts4614 awww thank you!

[@oldgreggsmadmemes4431]

I can't wait for Story 2 Update

[@mpmansell]

Story 1: NTA. To be honest, while OP's father is an ahole, I suspect that OP's mother is at least as big an ahole and that (given OP's father's comment to him about being a better man) I suspect she abusively forced OP's father to act as he did. That doesn't excuse him for being a weak piece of excrement, but it does make her as bad, at the very least.

[@ashlaraque4135]

I love your videos! I woke up feeling like crap today but I work from home so right now I’m laying in bed and listening to your videos in between client calls lol