My Cousin Pulled A Prank On His Wife Causing His Life To Implode r/Relationships

[@cheskydivision]

Don’t dish it if you can’t take it. Ex’s wife didn’t need to say anything when the friend was talking to op.

[@angerydestroyer]

My thoughts exactly

[@user-wr3vt8uq4s]

Yeah, the YTAs are truly baffling. It speaks volumes to her own insecurities that she reacted that way. No apologies necessary and it's time to phase out of that social group.

[@andreavanhoof6047]

Story 2 OP is NTA because her exes wife did open herself to being retaliated! If she did not want her feelings hurt O Boo Hoo! Snark Snark! She should not have said what she said to OP! All OP did was respond in kind! You are right if you can not take it; then do not dish it out!

[@erickaennis2738]

The ex wasn't ready for that smoke. 😂😂😂 Don't start none, won't be none. NTA NTA NTA. Also OP needs to break contact with her ex. It's holding you back.

[@Bj90216]

I legit thought the YTA respondent might have been the wife. It was over the too aggressive for a casual Reddit reader.

[@Mewse1203]

Story 2: NTA don't dish it out, if you cant take it. I am so confused by the YTA/ESH comments. The wife made a dig at OP in an attempt to embarrass while her knowing the situation. OP just responded in kind. If you call out in public, expect to be called put in public. What's the saying? Oh yes, "people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones"

[@wmdkitty]

Yeah, that's _why_ ESH. Wife _took a dig at OP as a deliberate attempt to embarrass_ and she _sucks_ for it. OP sucks for taking the bait.

[@Ma5jay5dontxdoxthat]

@@wmdkitty But is "taking the bait" a bad thing? Especially when the when the roles get reversed because the intended target did something better. Killing with kindness isn't always the only or best answer.

[@TortoiseNotTurtle]

Yeah I hate sometimes how ESH votes are just 'you should've been a doormat/inexplicably and inhumanly calm' She started shit and it got flung back in her face. I bet these are the type of teachers who will watch a kid get bullied and only act when the victim claps back

[@IzzyCoventina]

@@wmdkitty so she should have been a doormat & let this woman embarrass her in front of the whole group? Honestly the wife sounds like she would continue to make these kinds of comments & even escalate it had OP not quipped back. Again don't dish it if you can't take it.

[@zerobolt9506]

Agreed 👍

[@Alberto-wu1mj]

At the end of the day, this isn’t about a prank. OP’s cousin used his wife’s past trauma to “punish” her for spending time with her disabled father. This is a major issue in a relationship if he will use past trauma against her whenever he is not happy with her.

[@tamsel814]

Not only did he use aliyas trauma against her, he likely made the trauma much worse.

[@jakemarie828]

Truly vindictive.

[@GreenKnight1982]

just like women do all the time when they are mad at their SO.

[@srkh8966]

@@GreenKnight1982 Being angry is one thing but a prank? Why is it funny?

[@sadejones6657]

This is common

[@paulastiles5507]

Story #2: What stick is up that first Redditor's ass? The woman intentionally insulted OP. And yeah, telling someone they'll always be single, unprovoked, when you've married an ex who dumped them, is totally TA. If ex's wife didn't like the tone, she shouldn't have lowered it, and ex needs to butt out.

[@rubymeaddle]

That comment definitely came from the wife, the "she's the one he comes home to" is absolutely a dig at OP that sounds like the wife flexing

[@Pippa87]

The comment about “it’s only an insult if you think being single is less than”- the 2nd wife clearly does!!

[@jay2thaudy]

Most likely a mistress turned wifey who's also a dead beat and unemployed

[@mattdavis4248]

I actually agree with that Redditor. The wife didn't say anything wrong, and the OP does seem entitled and obviously thinks she is better than the wife. OP sounds like a piece of work.

[@Bonbin347]

​@@mattdavis4248 🙄😒 you must be the ex.

[@WobblesandBean]

I feel nothing for the cousin. That's not a prank, that's acting cruelly to an abuse victim for absolutely no reason. He's a conkwocket, and I'm glad Aliya ditched his ass.

[@carolroberts4614]

I think most so called pranks are unkind at least, and more on the abusive side, followed by downright dangerous. I hate them all.

[@johnpexton3614]

What is a conkwocket?

[@Alberto-wu1mj]

@@carolroberts4614 I agree. It isn’t “just a prank” if the subject of the prank is not laughing.

[@WobblesandBean]

@@carolroberts4614 Agreed. I can't think of any "prank" that isn't inherently mean-spirited and immature.

[@geckokid8265]

I love the use of the word "conkwocket" I'll have to use that

[@GrifoStelle]

Her: "Hey I used to be abused... look at my therapy bills" Him: "No Fair! I want to abuse too!"

[@robertx8020]

Even if he felt abused (not the same as being abused, but still) I would still say "so ff what" ? Being a victim should give you empathy for other victims not use it against them!

[@jackchop1576]

Men who date abuse victims are usually slimy anyhow.

[@Dimensionalalteration]

The monetary bill is the smallest part to pay in this

[@lauraanderson8785]

S2: I don't think OP is YTA. The wife clearly meant it in a mean way. Why is it a problem to say something snarky back? The wife clearly assumed that it's okay to be mean and didn't expect her to fire back. Don't dish it out if you can't take it back

[@Russman67]

OP is not the asshole here. The ex's new wife went for a dig and got her ass handed to her. That clap back was GOLD! I'd cut ties with the ex because this drama is going to bust the social circle sooner than later though. Better to move on.

[@zerobolt9506]

@@Russman67 agreed

[@mgaus]

Not only that, but the first YTA comment said "it's only an insult if you see single people as worth less than people in relationships" Firstly, I agree with the comments here that the words to OP were meant to hurt. Secondly, OP's clap back only stings if you see unemployed people as worth less than people who have jobs. Absolutely NTA

[@delilahbelle2125]

I think that first YTA comment was the wife. I agree OP's NTA, but I guess maybe I could argue for better wording on OP's part. Clapping back can be done both overtly and covertly, and OP was very overt here. A more covert response would have been "being single isn't the worst thing in the world, and I'm happy with my work, my career, and my social life right now."

[@TheRockinDonkey]

@@delilahbelle2125 that would have been a brilliant response.

[@keplersdream901]

Story 2: The YTA is an asshole and was probably the wife, lol. Given the context, she was intentionally insulting OP. I'd cut them out entirely as well as the friend group.

[@jofip9199]

I agree 100%. She wasn’t in the wrong for clapping back

[@Mewse1203]

That's what I was thinking. Her ex's wife, who she knows doesn't like her, made a dig at her being single in public and then got upset at a chirp back? Don't dish it out if you can't take it. Anyone calling OP an asshole for defending herself is also an asshole.

[@BruinPhD2009]

Yeah, that comment was really out of left field. Completely ignored the fact that the wife started shit first. You are NOT supposed to be someone’s punching bag. Fuq dat noiz…

[@Tralala083]

yea, their comment: "Some people stay single isn't an insult, unless you think single people are worth less" can be turned around to "Some please stay unemployed isn't an insult either, unless you think people without jobs are worth less"

[@cardamom_coldbrew]

I'm pretty sure that first YTA commenter was the wife

[@rubymeaddle]

"Some people just stay single" is 100% an insult 🤣 especially if it's coming from someone who doesn't like you

[@Flakey101]

So you regard my lifestyle as an insult as some one that plans to stay singe for the rest of his life?

[@papachrist200]

@@Flakey101The key difference is that you plan to be single. As a personal choice.

[@miniman649]

@@Flakey101 it's all about context. It can absolutely be an insult depending on who says it and how they say it. It can also just be an innocent comment trying to help, just doing ti badly. In the context of the story, it is a clear insult and anyone with the slightest understanding of social cues would know this. If you fail to realize it, you might wanna get yourself tested for something that prevents you from understanding social cues.

[@CouncilEstateRach]

😂 yep, I'm just not very good at it. I'd like to be but I'm not and I admit I'm not. I hope those who are like me and younger than me get help.

[@cosmicreef5858]

Being single is NOT an insult? Get help! The ACTUAL bad thing is that some people get CASTED OUT and for a reason!

[@TriXJester]

Story 1: "What do I do?" Literally nothing, not your circus, not your monkeys. Keep out of it.

[@crowdemon_archives]

Just enjoy the show, because not like they can do anything about it anyway 🙃

[@reneecollier5034]

Story 2: "If you can't take, then don't dish it out." Wife knew exactly what she was saying. And she meant for it to land differently in front of all of their friends. OP volleyed that shit right back at her!

[@AndyyWithAY]

F**k around and find out! He KNEW she had trauma surrounding this. And this was intentional. He did this to punish her and he's hiding behind "it's a prank bro".

[@Snowshowslow]

He clearly learned in his youth that he could get away with a lot of shit if he pulled the prank card. That's on the family...

[@jennifersilves4195]

It's not his family's fault. He's being an ah and calling it a prank.

[@PrincessQ-fj9ly]

Yeah. This dude really needs to grow up. And he really needs some discipline and some manners. Shame on him. ಠ⁠︵⁠ಠ

[@momshardrockvideos]

Story 1: sorry he’s the AH. This was absolutely awful. It was cruel. Abusive. It’s up to her now. Don’t get involved. It’s none of your business. I hope she leaves him.

[@ajwyss-huskinson9118]

Honestly. Even if she didn’t have the trauma from her last relationship it still would’ve been f-Ed and so god cruel. Plus he is an adult if he saw this on the internet he should know it was fake

[@TheRabidRabbit1]

He’s the Amber heard?!

[@swearimnotarobot3746]

@@TheRabidRabbit1 ?

[@philwill0123]

@@TheRabidRabbit1 so your take away is that men can never be abusive to the point that when you think abusive partners, you go.... Male version of amber Heard? Damn, you hate women....

[@jaymel4691]

OP, you can't fix this. He fucked up, he has to pay the consequences. You can be there for your cousin, but their relationship is not your business to fix. Your cousin was a selfish asshole and did a horrible thing to his wife. She deserves better. Stay out of their relationship. I also doubt he was ever a "prankster", sounds more like a bully to me. I wonder what else he's done in their relationship before this.

[@momshardrockvideos]

Story2: ghost the lot of them. Get new friends. They are AHs. Your ex is a mega AH. If you can’t take it DONT dish it out. The exs wife is The petty jealous one. Just tell them to F off.

[@miminana-hd6nf]

the YTA comment has to be the ex , or his wife.

[@antithoughtpolice7497]

OP is the type to be friends with these people. She's toxic in her own way. She needs therapy before making new, serious friendships.

[@kingturtle24k81]

@@antithoughtpolice7497 sure blame the person who's not in the wrong tf is with you ppl

[@kingturtle24k81]

@@miminana-hd6nf yea b i hope it was because no one can be that stupid to think op is in the wrong for her comeback and the reason they gave come on now a fish and enough brain cells to know the wife was taking a dig at op i wish i could message these YTA ppl and ask why are they so stupid

[@antithoughtpolice7497]

@@kingturtle24k81 Dude, she's going to be the toxic person in a group of non toxic people, if she doesn't deal with why she stayed friends with these people that long in the first place. I mean, they broke up 5 years ago. Like how people in toxic romantic relationships, tend to jump from one to another, if they don't acknowledge and deal with the toxicity within themselves. Like my cousin has and still has an abusive husband, but her daughter doesn't want to be around her, until her mom accepts the fact: she chose an abuser over her own and her family's safety, more than once. Like I said: she's still with him, and you can't help someone, refusing help. And notice how loads of girls today, when they don't get treatment for their trauma from a horrible relationship, they tend to be abusive to a good, stable partner. Trauma breeds trauma. Toxicity breeds toxicity. Getting new friends isn't the sole solution

[@jemase7931]

"some people stay single..." Ex who wasn't even there demands apology. Maybe ex should mind his own business and OP needs to ignore them both.

[@low-keydrama1260]

Story 1: Can anyone explain how what the cousin did was a prank? Like he did something he knew would terribly hurt her and is sad and "sobbing and trying to contact her for hours to apologize." For OP, stay out of it as it is not their place, Do NOT get involved in any way. For the cousin, it's up to his wife. He better be ready to either do more and beyond to make it up to her if his wife decides to stay OR just let her go and use this as a learning experience for it to NEVER do this again Update 1: WOW. So he knew Wife's ex would do this to her to be petty and to punish her, and still do it for those exact reasons. That is absolutely awful. He needs therapy. Like another commenter here said, his marriage is in his wife's court. It's her choice.

[@margaretalbrecht4650]

It wasn't a prank. But when called out and suffering consequences for their abusive actions, it's a standard move for the abuser to say it was a joke and the abused person is overreacting.

[@WobblesandBean]

@@margaretalbrecht4650 ^ Thiiiiiiiiis

[@WobblesandBean]

I earnestly hope Aliya doesn't take him back. What he did to her isn't something you can get past, nor should she. He's not sorry he hurt her, otherwise he wouldn't have hurt her in the first place. He's only "sorry" because he's suffering consequences.

[@robertx8020]

No coming back from this if it was me She will be safer w/o him!

[@nicksuazo4377]

Everyone says "It's just a joke", but no one ever says "It was a bad joke". There's a differnet between trying to funny and trying to be hurtful - being a prankster is just a step towards being a full-on bully, and a bully's actions can range from pettiness to cruelty.

[@janfick7260]

Honestly the fact that the cousin laughed when OP called nullifies all his so-called excuses he has for what he did...The whole Not feeling like he belongs thing feels like a ready made excuse for when he fs up

[@carolroberts4614]

Crocodile tears!

[@sadejones6657]

St 1 the cousin is a special kind of monster she told him her trauma and he tried to use it to get his way. She can never trust him again.

[@tamsel814]

Shit like this is why people feel the need to hide their traumas. Cause people could (and some clearly would) use it against you.

[@Bucketus.Lord.of.Buckets]

The silent treatment is a form of abuse. Screw him.

[@fleurpouvior2967]

Admittedly, I've tried to ignore my bf when I'm really mad, to try and cool off and organize my thoughts, so I don't say something I don't mean. But it never lasts more than a minute before I'm answering the phone in tears because I'm upset and want my bf. Then we talk it out, figure out where we messed up, apologize for our own parts, reassure eachother we love eachother and are here for eachother, and work out a plan to not repeat the same thing moving forward. I don't know how people can ignore eachother that long. We live across the country from eachother, and panic that the other will be hurt if we don't record our good morning messages for eachother every day. I can't imagine being that cold and not having it be over.

[@Ma5jay5dontxdoxthat]

@@fleurpouvior2967 but here's a big difference: you're not using it as a punishment. If you need to calm down, before speaking to someone you're mad at, that's healthy. Not speaking to someone as a form of punishment because they made you mad is abusive.

[@fleurpouvior2967]

@@Ma5jay5dontxdoxthat good to know. It's something I activly panic over. I just keep imagining him on the other end of the phone, scared and worried and then we're usually both crying while we work things out. Long distance is rough

[@infamyinfamy]

@@fleurpouvior2967 Taking 5 or 10 mins to cool off is not the silent treatment. Silent treatments last hours, or days or even weeks.

[@antithoughtpolice7497]

The way she left him the exact way he pranked her is the chef's kiss of karma. A face of shaving cream while she's sleeping is a prank. This was just stupid

[@fleurpouvior2967]

Fun prank: covering classmated name lables on their desks in elementry school with fake ones when there's a sub, so everyone is their favorite cartoon character for a day. Bad prank: abusing your abused wife for the lols of... Watching her cry and spiral into a pit of dispare and self loathing, potentially putting her back years in therapy and breaking the trust she has in you? Lesson: pranks are silly, fun for all parties, and of little consiquence in the long run. Abuse is only fun for the one doing it, hurtful, and have (potential) long term consiquences.

[@paulagoeringer9466]

It's amazing how many people can't tell the difference or that there even is a difference. 🙄 I seriously question some people's intelligence or ability to even think at all. How is being mean or cruel supposed to be funny?

[@itsjustmaddisen]

People have died because they took “pranks” too far and the people they were “pranking” genuinely thought their life was in danger. It’s wild people don’t know what a prank actually is. In high school my modern history class pranked our teacher by completely moving the desks around the opposite way while our teacher was photocopying some things. She thought it was funny how we moved it and acted normal. We moved it all back not long after so that no one had to clean up our mess. It was harmless and everyone thought it was funny.

[@fleurpouvior2967]

@@itsjustmaddisen sounds like an awesome prank! Top tier!!

[@tamsel814]

we had an amazing prank with a sub in middle school. A bunch of year mates had a free hours so we had them join us in the classroom . we even dragged in some extra chairs. We pretended that they were part of our very large class and that she had an outdated class registry that was missing 10 people. she manually added the missing people to a printed class registry and the school only discovered the prank when the class registry went through administration. great times

[@fleurpouvior2967]

@@tamsel814 sounds epic! I love it!

[@tamrawest8577]

Story 2 Comments - I completely agree with BringBackBowie (and what an awesome handle too!). If a person can't handle being served the sh*t they dish out, they need to keep their mouth shut and mind their own business. Way to go OP!!

[@loganmorningstar9122]

Oh no..... That first story is NOT going to end well. Edit: Yeah, no, there's no fixing this whole thing.

[@ray30k]

Story 2: Honestly OP, be nice to yourself. Cut off the ex completely, try and get a new friendship circle. As it stands, you're stuck unable to move on.

[@Mewse1203]

Story 1: OP can't fix anything. He is the only one who can. The fact that he hadn't pranked anyone in 6 years until now seems more like punishment thatbhe called a prank when called out. The silent treatment is abusive. It's doubly so when your partner has trauma around it

[@SidereusOfTheFallen]

I think OP is distraught at the idea of his cousin being the reason his wife will be family no more. I get OP, and they did the right thing in the end.

[@brigidtheirish]

@@SidereusOfTheFallen Yeah. And some people have an urge to fix problems. I *very much* understand that. I see someone I care about hurting, I want to *fix it.* Unfortunately, some things can't be fixed. Some *people* can't be fixed. What the cousin did was *disgusting.* I get he has issues from being orphaned, but that is not an excuse and his continued attempts to explain just made him sound pathetic.

[@jackchop1576]

@@brigidtheirish you forgot the clap emoji between every word

[@brigidtheirish]

@@jackchop1576 I'm sorry, what?

[@lina9535]

Story 3: OP wanted to help her friend, I get that. But the friend has been an AH to the fiancé for how he was *years ago* in college. People can change. "She has nowhere else to go", this is a lie. There are hotels, and I highly doubt that OP is the only friend this woman has. If she has family, then they should be willing to help her once they hear of her situation. Or OP's family.

[@Weirdandwonderfull19]

I facepalmed so hard when he started ignoring her. I don't know the woman, but after hearing a sentence about her past it was obviously going to be a poor prank. 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@CalamityM]

He admitted it _wasn't_ a prank. He was punishing the wife for tending to her sickly *father*. I repeat: the husband was PUNISHING the wife for _daring_ to look after her SICK FATHER She need to divorce that POS.

[@Weirdandwonderfull19]

@@CalamityM I hadn't listened to the first story when I wrote that, just the first part. Yes, she needs to leave his sorry butt.

[@deifieddata4462]

Cousin doesn't deserve to get bailed out on this - he knew his wife's history and knew this would be torture he expected and wanted this outcome.

[@juanhaines7295]

Story 1 I she should cut her losses and leave him. Of that's how he reacts to her spending time with ailing father. Goes straight to emotional abuse.

[@andreavanhoof6047]

Story 1: Amen! She should file for divorce immediately because she can never trust him again! She will always be reminded of how he used her trauma as a weapon against her.

[@diamcole]

Story 2: NTA. Don't dish it out if you can't take it.

[@champslim]

That YTA on the 2nd story has to be the wife because ain't no freaking way!!

[@Ruprect44]

Always love stories where "pranksters" get destroyed for being idiots.

[@PrincessQ-fj9ly]

Yes, this is a classic case of mess around, found out. 😒

[@greenbeacon394]

S2: it was absolutely justified. Don’t dish it if you can’t take it no apology needed.

[@Graves933]

Story 1: who else thinks the husband was jealous she was taking care of his brother and used this "prank" to teach her a lesson and when it didn't work he realized how bad he fucked up

[@itsjustmaddisen]

Isn’t OP a female lol.

[@Graves933]

@@itsjustmaddisen lol my bad, haha Sister*

[@brianaschmidt910]

​@@Graves933 it's in the updates. He did it because he was afraid of his wife leaving him because she takes care of her disabled dad

[@marinadubois7347]

That’s not a prank that’s abuse. He traumatized her deliberately. She needs to get away. He went for the jugular!

[@hungrymusicwolf]

Story 3: YTA, and that includes that one guy that went ESH. Insulting and deriding someone in a relationship to their face and calling them all kinds of shit is not a joke. You don't get to come to someone's house and expect them to take you in after that, especially _without even apologizing for it_

[@robertbishop5158]

Yeah why would she even stay in a place Her friend's fiance owns that's minipulation OP is being used by the friend

[@brigidtheirish]

I'm kind of wondering if the friend's marriage is bad because of her husband or if *she's* the problem.

[@robertx8020]

@@brigidtheirish Or maybe the BF is cheating and he wants the house for himself ? See? we can all make assumptions based on nothing

[@robertx8020]

"especially without even apologizing for it" And what if she was right? We don't know that but suppose she was? Should she still apologizing for it? He doens't want to help someone that might be in an abusive relation? Sounds like she might have a point

[@brigidtheirish]

@@robertx8020 I said I *wondered.* That's quite different than assuming something is so. Do you just like being contrary?

[@Swnsasy]

Ummm, story 2.. QUESTION..... Is it just me because those saying she isn't over her ex because of the comment she RESPONDED TO was a bit harsh are really weird.. How is what she responded translate to her not being over her ex who has been with his wife for 5yrs and this is the first time she's ever made a comment after hanging out with them both many many times and it was a REPLY, she didn't start it... Can someone explain how that translates to her allowing them to take up 'so much' space in her head and not over him???

[@RudesMom]

It's possible that the OP gave out additional info in the Reddit comments. That's the generous interpretation.

[@Ma5jay5dontxdoxthat]

@@RudesMom Oh the more realistic answer is reddit making a mountain from a mound, waaay more common to see that. It's probably because she made the post and she's single, which makes sense if she is bothering advancing in her career faster than most and isn't looking go settle down. Most people don't. Which doesn't make sense because she has to only talk about them in the post, the problem IS them.

[@CalamityM]

Pretty sure that redditor was the girlfriend. I'd even bet money on it

[@rachelmcdaniel8999]

@@CalamityM Especially the way she says that she is the one he comes home to at the end of the day.

[@rubymeaddle]

@@RudesMom Mark always reads OP comments for more context, so I doubt that's what happened.

[@RevWarRev]

Story 1: WTF!?! Ignoring your partner for 24 hours is a ducking prank!?! Well, turns out it wasn't. OP, you can't fix this, and you know you shouldn't even try He knew her history and he CHOSE to do what her ex did to harm her TO PUNISH HER. This was emotional abuse - it was cruel and disgusting. Why would anyone think deliberately hurting your SO is funny? Gotta have a warped soul to do something hurtful and think it was funny or deserved.

[@Batman-lg2zj]

Op knows he couldn’t fix it so don’t tell him something if he knows .

[@MimosaRose]

Story 1- he was afraid she would leave him, so by pranking her he pushed her to leave him.

[@frostwolf2379]

Story 3 - Op may think he just doesnt like the friend and that may be true but also he may be thinking that he may have to cover her expenses like food for 5 months while trying to put together a wedding and also there is no garantee that she will leave within the 5 months period of time. Op helping the friend is pretty much she reaps the benefits that comes with pulling out her friend from a situation meanwhile dumping the risk / fincial lost on her fiancee. The fiance probably assest the situation and decided he wasnt accepting that responsibility which imo is fair.

[@OZARKMOON1960]

#3 - OP is TA. She will be lucky if he lets HER stay, much less her friend. OP has let this friend take her frustrations with her own abusive marriage out on OP's fiance, and disregard his feelings. OP best decide who she wants to pick - move out and find a crappy place with her bestie, or buck up and kick her out and be with the guy.

[@cattyanamontes5996]

Ya. When she said that her fiancé owns the place. Yikes.

[@Swnsasy]

It's just a prank bro! No, it isn't funny at all. It's so much worse when she was abused this way and for him to think this was ok is just beyond me. How immature of a human being is he that he would think using past trauma as a prank is so absolutely vile, cruel and disgusting EVEN WITHOUT her history.. This isn't funny. If you love someone you just wouldn't use emotional as a prank. A prank is throwing a spider at someone, not this.. Not this at all.. OP needs to not blame herself and family for laughing at his pranks growing up, he's a grown ass man now. This is ALL on him... My husband did something on accident.. I was violated 13yrs ago and he stabbed me. My husband of 10yrs knows about this. He wasn't thinking and laying in bed he rolled over and grabbed my neck and squeeze.. Immediately I froze and he froze and just panicked, that was forgivable.. This.. This is not.... My husband IMMEDIATELY knew when he saw my eyes and it clicked!!!

[@Russman67]

Story 1: Sometimes, You can't save a screw up. He knew that she had to deal with this in the past relationship and this was his go-to "prank", to run her through the abuse that she had from her former partner.

[@Dimensionalalteration]

St 1-continuing someone elses abuse or traumatising a person can never be funny and people who do that are the lowest of lows. I hope that OPs cousin uses that experience to grow,and that there's a marriage to save,but I know that once a new partner or potential partner starts up with abusing and traumatising you it's just not going to work, you won't feel safe ,trusting or any of the good necessary things needed, it's gone ,you can only go on faking it till you make it for so long,especially under the pressure of "omg you don't even trust me" ,"it's just a prank bro" or "you are to sensitive".

[@tamsel814]

The wife should leave, I don't think there is any saving of that relationship. How could aliya ever trust him again?

[@SuperUhohspaghettio]

Story 2 I love how people equate having a husband to being better no just because you have a husband and he’s coming home to you that doesn’t make you better the wife was definitely being petty and the op should have stood up for herself ….idc who disagrees having a career to be proud of and something to show your hard work is definitely better than a marriage stop fooling yourself both women are intelligent with masters degrees STOP reducing women’s accomplishments down to who they come home to everyday who tf cares marriages don’t change the world

[@maddy8328]

Story 2, NTA. She started it. She also has a master's and wants to stay home? Jesus. I can understand staying home, but not with a masters.

[@nuckingfutsguy]

story one cousin fucked around and found out OP isn't obligated to fix things

[@cjandauntieyaya1446]

Story 3: OP is TA because that was her fiance's house, not hers. He has reasons to not want her in his house. OP shouldn't volunteer other people's stuff and time.

[@user-sk2ij7mo6y]

Last Story YTA and no matter what the friends situation is OP had no RIGHT to decide that her fiancé had to live with and since he is paying rent and bills help support her friend without his consent. Honestly if I had come home to that she would be an ex-fiancé and they would both be out the door.

[@lalayastill610]

story 2 - i have no clue what tone it was said in, but if it really was said snarly, then OP is my new hero. Way to go! Also, I hate people who punish the person defending themselves and not the person who attacked in the first place. There are cultures where women especially are taught to do this from childhood, to do whatever it takes to just "keep the peace", ending up doormats. I love OP's reply. Why should OP be the one to go home crying and feel sad and frustrated, when she can just get her justice on the spot and go home at peace with herself

[@skintgirafde320]

Story 1: I’d just sit back and enjoy the show. Watch his world burn from afar as his ass brought it on himself!

[@jackchop1576]

Story 1: The OP needs to mind her own business. Too involved in everyone else's drama. Story 2: She gave the same energy that she got. Story 3: The fiancé will be booting her and the friend out on the street in the future.

[@skyelindsey687]

I hope she leaves him. He literally went “I don’t like what you’re doing so I’m gonna do the exact same thing your abusive ex did to you to manipulate you.” He’s abusive

[@TheEmpressReborn]

Story 1: The best thing OP can do is to stay out of it and let karma take its course. It's none of his concern.

[@PrincessQ-fj9ly]

Agree. OP is not responsible for his idiotic cousin. And OP was right to interrogate him and call him out. Cousin needed to be.

[@plantemor]

That was not a prank. That was him going on some power lay to see how much he could get her under his thumb. It backfired and now he's sad because he realized his power over her wasn't as strong as he thought and that bruised his little ego.

[@ezra2701]

My ex used to give me the silent treatment when we fought. I would go quiet if I was upset but I'd send a text or let him know I needed to clear my head before talking and he used that as a way to say I abused him. I have no sympathy for OPs cousin

[@jonkirby1880]

Story one: I'm glad there's a happy ending. He's admitted he was wrong and got therapy, and she has space to make sure he means it or she can get away safely. Best of luck!

[@trashotaku]

Op shouldn’t blame herself if a divorce does happen because it’s 100% the cousin’s fault. He’s a grown ass man who was fully aware of his wife’s past and traumas yet still chose to pull some shit like this. A prank is only a prank when no is being hurt and the person the receiving end finds it funny. It both disgusts and disturbs me with the amount of people I hear on Reddit not understanding the difference between assult/abuse and an actual prank Update 1: wow, hearing why he pulled the “prank” solidifies the cousin as a abusive POS

[@compahearts5546]

I have seen many channels like this but what kept me around is the voice and personality. You have both love your channel my friend.

[@fufufuaru]

gonna need an update to the last one where op and friend get evicted and op is now “ex-fiancee”

[@omarsanchez8956]

A very valuable and obvious lesson that weirdly adults have problem with it. We are responsible of our actions even if they were intended to be jokes. As a prankster myself I need to know the boundaries of my victims (this includes if they even are into being pranked at all), some of my friends are into gross pranks and some absolutely hate them but are into having fun with wordplay jokes. The point of a prank or a joke is that everyone has fun with it, not only the prankster

[@TsukiKageTora]

Story 1: literally the guy knew how toxic and abusive his wife’s ex husband was towards her and thought the one abusive tactic, she went to therapy over, was a great prank. WTF, he never grew up, he just stopped pulling pranks on the people he constantly pulled pranks on cause it probably was “boring” getting the same reactions

[@jameslyons6655]

Relationships are about trust and loyalty. “Pranks” that undermine trust are extremely dangerous. What is she supposed to do? Forgive him and then continually wait for it to happen again? The fact that he chose a prank that was calculated to exploit her fears is particularly cruel. He’s a bad person. Not sure why OP wants to convince the angel to get back with this creature.

[@sylphsarigo1996]

I listen to these videos while I work, clean, set up foraging for my birds, cook...basically whenever I need something to listen to, these videos are my go-to.

[@jennifersilves4195]

Mine too lately. Even when I speed up playback Mark's voice is so pleasant. The commenters here are the best, too.

[@troubleinthevalley5884]

Now that I hear there was intention behind it other than the prank she absolutely needs to leave him. He is just as abusive as the last guy and he used her trauma to control her and hurt her. I was somewhat on the fence even though the guy is a complete and utter idiot but I thought maybe if he was truly sorry and she truly truly loved him they could work it out in therapy or something but after hearing that she was already going to therapy for this treatment in her past that pushed me more towards her side and now I'm completely on her side of leaving this dude. That is just absolutely disgusting. He couldn't just talk to her about how he was feeling? This man is immature, childish, controlling, disgusting, and abusive. I am absolutely livid for her.

[@Cel3ere5]

I... Can't with this one. I've got this same trigger. Too many people gone to find out they're gone, and they're never coming back. I lost track of the funerals. Wow. Shit. Can't with this one.

[@TigersandBearsOhMy]

Story 1: This is why we need to discourage pranks. A prank is a joke you play on someone at their expense to amuse yourself and others. Call me a stick in the mud or whatever, but I find nothing appropriate or proper about that. My nephews came to stay with me for a week a while back, and they're always "pranking" people. Their idea of pranks? Scaring my toddler multiple times until she was hysterical every time she saw them, jumping out of a closet at my SO who is very reactionary to being startled, spraying me directly with febreez, disappearing over and over again while we were in Walmart, etc; so in other words, being cruel to a baby, being cruel to their uncle, dousing me in chemicals, and pretending to be kidnapped. We sat them down and had a serious conversation about it and their response? "It's a joke! We do it to our Mom/grandma/sister all of the time! It's funny! They do it on TikTok!" It's a whole fucking culture that needs to die. Cousin in the story used to splash people and pull chairs out from under them? So he made people on edge, uncomfortable, and potentially injured them. How fucking hilarious. 😑 Tell them it's idiotic, unfunny, and disrespectful when they're kids so they don't do it as adults to people with trauma who can walk out of their lives.

[@jemase7931]

Unwelcome guest in fiance's home. You'd better get your friend out of there before you end up getting kicked out, too. Personally, I be reconsidering whether I could trust you enough to marry you.

[@Jenifer_R_]

OP's reaction to her brother breaking down was disconcerting.

[@ioannageor180]

I feel like the cousin and the first husband had something in common : silent treatment. And no it was not a prank. He used it as well

[@sarasmr4278]

How in the world is ignoring someone you love for a day considered a prank? In what universe is that funny? Ha ha, I made you think I hate you/I'm dead/I'm leaving you, so funny!

[@virtualatheist]

Story 1: Cousin MUST have known her history. He is absolutely TA and deserves all he gets. The saddest thing about it is his wife's pain. Story 2: Shots fired and got a response. NTA. Also I agree with the other commenter about the first Redditor response... Are we sure it wasn't Ex or Ex's wife?

[@TryniaMerin]

The cousin's 'prank' was rather mean spirited. What could he expect from someone with past traumas? Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. He's got nobody but himself to blame for this mess.

[@jmarie9997]

I knew the moment I read the word PRANK that I would HATE the cousin.

[@Mewse1203]

Story 3: YTA look his reason for not liking her is BS if he in fact was treating OP badly when it happened. But none of that matters. There is only one thing that matters. "My fiance owns the house" When OP first started telling the story, she reported the fiance saying "I don't want her in **my** house.** I immediately had questions about that. Was it "my house" in the sense that he lived there or was it literally HIS property that OP stays in with him? Then OP clarified: he owns the property by himself. That automatically makes OP the asshole. If it was a shared ownership/rental I could maybe go with ESH/NAH kind of a deal. With this being his property alone that OP stays in with him, it is clear: he has every right to say somebody cannot live in his property. It doesn't matter his reasons. Good or bad, it's his property and can do whatever he wants with it within the law.

[@robertx8020]

I al;ways thought that 'being in a relation' means 'sharing'? But it seems like her BF can just invite as many ppl over as he likes at all times because 'his house' ? ok

[@Mewse1203]

@@robertx8020 to live there? Nah.

[@robertx8020]

@@Mewse1203 'Stay there for a while' not live there forever

[@jeffreed2848]

@@robertx8020 either way, whether its "his house" meaning he owns it outright or its "his house" meaning its his home too, he still has a say in who is welcome for any amount of time. And he owes the friend no kindness especially since she never apologized. He is being an adult by simply not letting his issues with the friend stop his wife from keeping her as a friend. But he has every right to have a fair say in who is welcome in the home where he also lives, even if he is on a temporary relocation to another place. Thats still his home by all definitions. The wife is wrong for knowingly and willingly going against her fiances wishes. Even more so since she doesnt yet have any real claim to the home as they arent even married

[@nnicsu]

@@jeffreed2848 It takes a specific type of person to be able to look at another human being in a crisis and say “nah, not my problem.” Not much of a loss to shed this kinda person from your life tbh.

[@anonymouslee2083]

Story 1: OP should stay out of it. The cousin is a nuclear AH, and what he did was arguably psychological abuse. Story 2: hard NTA. You are never TA for giving it back when someone is being a bully. Story 3: huge YTA to OP. The fiancé should call it off and throw them both out.

[@Graves933]

Story 1: He is the asshole, 100%. You don't use someone's abuse against them as a prank. That in itself is abuse, tf? I'm the kind of person who used to be described as "using the silent treatment" . I just have issues controlling my emotions during the "heat" of the moment so I need to take a break. Due of how I grew up I was punished for certain emotions,so I shut down if I feel said emotions comming on so I wouldnt cry. I shut off and can't talk without sobbing like a crazy person so I just keep quiet, but I saw how it affected those around me afyer my BF pointed it out and I put the effort in to change. "hey, I am upset and cant talk until I calm down. I love you, just give me a bit" is all really you need, it takes some getting used to but it gets easier for those around you to understand its just your needs and that you are trying to be an asshole.

[@cjandauntieyaya1446]

Borderline Personality Disorder has an issue with rejection and abandonment. The reaction is to push loved ones away BEFORE they can be rejected/abandoned. Indeed the cousin needs psychological help. Good that the cousin acknowledges that he needs help and is willing to work on things. Only time will tell if he can realize the true issues. CBT is a recommended technique for those with BPD, BTW.

[@AlyssaAllen.a]

*1st marriage trauma explained* Husband: Oh, this would make a great prank. What an ass 🙄

[@taetannim3581]

HOW is *ignoring* someone a prank?! People are such AHs!

[@TheRabidRabbit1]

Reddits judgements never cease to amazing me… how on earth is the woman story 2 the asshole?

[@Tryyourhand]

The practical joke actually sounds more like an attention grab, because she was spending more time focusing on helping other people and he wasn’t getting the attention. That makes me think he realised she would turn straight to him and focus on him by blocking and ignoring her through this type of manipulation.

[@Ziyanani]

The first one.. the cousin doesn't deserve that poor woman but.. they will probably stay together because people like the wfe are people pleasers and she'll feel bad leaving him/ the second one.. na NTA don't start shit there won't be shit. The second someone says something snarky they have paved the way for that in response.

[@karenturner9423]

One excuse I hate more than *anything* is variations on "I was just a joke, man. Get over it."

[@andreavanhoof6047]

Story 1: You should be more concerned about the wife instead of the cousin! The wife is the one who has been wronged!

[@Main07vega]

story 3: OP showed her fiance that he cant trust her.

[@swearimnotarobot3746]

I feel this is going to be more of a spectator story. And I’m all for it.

[@RockinTheBassGuitar]

Just decorating my son's birthday cake he's turning 3 😁. Thanks for waffling while I work lol.

[@paulagoeringer9466]

Happy birthday to your son! ✨🥳🎂🎈

[@RockinTheBassGuitar]

@@paulagoeringer9466 thank you lol.

[@James-sq4sc]

Who thinks its ok to prank their SO like this?? Who's so legitimately stupid, they'd think this was either funny or ok? This is right up there with cheating pranks, etc. He's too immature to have a relationship.

[@jemase7931]

Prankster cousin has a streak if sadism.

[@acatnamedtaz2167]

What is the cousin's thought process? Did he think , I love and cherish my wife, how can I be the most disgraceful and disrespectful person she knows. He is worse than her ex, how dare he says he loves her. That was never a practical joke, it's abuse, always That poor woman

[@whims6278]

Story 2: wow the misogyny leaking from that first reply calling her TAH is INTENSE.

[@cheskydivision]

So friend doesn’t like fiancé but has no problem living in his house against his wishes. Op you can’t be trusted

[@stevenbart2375]

Or the fiance refusing to let the friend in his house to escape an abusive relationship could be proof that the friend was right about him. OP never did say what reasons the friend gave for what she said about him, did it all actually come out of nowhere or did she see something OP couldn't, or didn't want to? I think this can still go either way.

[@randomusername3873]

@@stevenbart2375 refusing to house someone that insulted him doesn't make him a bad person

[@jesmineglenn9496]

@@randomusername3873 True, but the fact is the friend is in an abusive relationship and needs all the help she can get. I definitely see this story as a slight ESH, but OP is definitely the bigger AH and the story is definitely lacking info. No one deserves abuse

[@nnicsu]

@@randomusername3873 Being able to look at another human being in crisis and saying “nah no thanks” does indeed make him a bad person. We need more humanity in this world, even for those we dislike.

[@marukouga135]

@@jesmineglenn9496 Homeless shelters are a thing along with battered women shelters.

[@Silence-1170]

Hi waffles hope you are all doing well! Just hanging out with dad after helping him clean up the house. Stay safe and Stay positive waffles!

[@nonna0157]

Story 1: it’s quite simple, he fucked around and he found out.

[@sharyebethancourt3660]

The same way saying some people stay single isn’t an insult, why isn’t some people stay unemployed? Her employment is no ones business, and OPs relationship status is no business.

[@mrbas5150]

Story 1, I think Alaiya should divorce him, once theres been a major upheaval in a relationship theres no chance of repair. The damage is done and will continue to fester.

[@rylashadow18]

S1) There was no excuse whatsoever for him to weaponize her trauma to pull this so called prank. He knew her trauma and used it to abuse her cause that's what he did. Not a prank. Not a joke. Straight out abuse. Respect whatever she's asking of you, tell him that whatever she decides he needs to accept it as he caused this by violating her trust in such a heinous way there's no coming back from this. In all honesty the cousin has a lot of work to do in therapy and a lot of proving to his wife that he'll never weaponize her previous abuse to harm her again. Imho once someone breaks something as valuable as trust they don't get it instantly back cause now the victim will be on the alert for it happening again. S2) News flash as long as they're both happy, being healthy and loving in their relationship together it's none of your business what they decide in their marriage. So you decided to swing at her without context and think you're right? Again what goes on in their marriage is none of your business cause again as long as their being loving, supportive and caring to each other that's all that matters. Imho I bet this isn't the first time you've attacked her or gave her some reason to feel on edge around you. Get over yourself and get your nose out of their relationship. If I were the ex you've been blocked instantly. S3) While anyone would sympathize with your friend and her siutation that doesn't give you unilatrial vote on if she gets to stay in your (ex)fiance's home for x amount of time. You help her with a motel / hotel to stay. Go find shelters where she can stay at until she's on her feet again. Help her with finding an attorney as well as talking to the police about getting help getting her things when she's settled. Yeah I'd be done with both of you. I'd be telling you both you have a month to figure out where to go and after that you're both out. I'd take back the ring and call of the engagement as well as the relationship. With the edits why would the fiance want someone whose mistreated him, call him out of his name and made false accusations about him in his home? Again I'd be done with both of you.

[@leelourose2503]

S2.. 🔥 .. NTA, should have kept her mouth shut if a clap back was unwanted.

[@jadis3143]

Story 3: it's HIS house.