My name is Jake and I’m 32 years old up until recently I thought I had a pretty solid if not perfect relationship with my parents sure I always knew they favored my younger brother Ethan but I never thought they would take it as far as they did Ethan has always been the golden child growing up it was obvious he got away with things I never could received praise for the bare minimum and when he messed up my parents had a million excuses ready for him he’s just young he’s figuring things out you need to be patient with him Jake meanwhile I

Was expected to be the responsible one the mature one the one who had to lead by example and I did I worked hard in school got a decent job and made something of myself Ethan not so much at 28 he still bounces between jobs constantly figuring things out he’s lived with my parents rentree his entire life yet somehow they act like he has it so much harder than I ever did anytime I tried to point out the double standard I was met with the response Jake you’re independent you don’t need us the way Ethan does that was their justification

For every single thing if I got a cheap birthday gift while Ethan got the latest gaming console well Jake you have a good salary now you can buy it yourself if I had to help out around the house while Ethan lounged on the couch he’s just not as responsible as you if Ethan wrecked their car and they paid to fix it but I had to buy my own first car with my own money you can handle it Jake and for years I swallowed it I let it go I told myself it wasn’t worth fighting over then I found out about the will I had

Been helping my parents financially for years covering part of their mortgage paying for home repairs even chipping in for their medical bills I never did it expecting anything in return they were my parents and I wanted to make sure they were taken care of but one day completely by accident I learned that they had left everything to Ethan the house the savings their belongings everything it happened when I was visiting to help them sort out some paperwork my mom had left a folder on the kitchen table while she stepped away

To take a call and I glanced at it absent-mindedly that’s when I saw my name or rather the absence of it Ethan was listed as the sole inheritor when my mom came back I asked about it I wasn’t angry not yet I just wanted to understand but instead of looking guilty or regretful she acted like it was nothing oh that she said waving a hand dismissively we just figured it made the most sense you have a good job a stable life Ethan well he’s not as lucky he’s going to need the help more than you I couldn’t believe what I was hearing so

Because I worked hard and build a stable life I get nothing even after everything i’ve done for you she frowned at me like I was being unreasonable you don’t need it Jake it’s just money you’ll be fine something in me snapped for years I had been their safety net I had given and given and the moment I stopped to ask if I mattered at all I was dismissed like a greedy child throwing a tantrum I realized then and there that in their eyes I was nothing more than a resource someone to rely on when they needed help

But never someone they truly valued so I made a decision I stopped paying their bills I stopped covering their mortgage I stopped sending them money for groceries or repairs or unexpected expenses if I didn’t matter enough to be included in their will then surely they didn’t need my financial support either it didn’t take long for reality to h!t them at first they didn’t say anything maybe they thought I was just busy or that I had forgotten but then about a month later I got a text from my mom no greeting no small talk just the rent is

Due that was it no how are you no hope you’re doing well just a demand like I was their personal ATM I stared at the message for a long time feeling a mix of emotions anger hurt disappointment then finally I replied I didn’t yell I didn’t curse I didn’t beg them to see how unfair they had been I simply responded with I’m sure Ethan will handle it that was all I said no explanation no argument just a simple statement and then I put my phone down and went about my day it didn’t take long for the backlash to begin less than an hour

Later my phone buzzed again this time a call from my mom I ignored it then another and another finally a text Jake answer the phone this isn’t funny I let it sit I wasn’t in the mood to entertain whatever Guilt Trip they were about to throw at me but sure enough when I finally checked my voicemail later I got exactly what I expected mom’s voice was Dripping with disappointment Jake I don’t know what’s gotten into you but this is really selfish your father and I have always done our best for you is this really the kind of son you want to

Be ignoring us when we need you Ethan can’t afford to help right now he’s struggling we thought you’d understand that call me back I didn’t a few hours passed before I got the next message this time from my dad he rarely texted me so I knew my mom must have gotten him involved Jake we need to talk this is serious call your mother still I ignored it and for the first time in years I felt something I hadn’t before control I had spent so long playing the role of the dutiful son the responsible one the one who never asked for anything but the

Moment I refused to be used they lost their minds then as I expected Ethan got involved dude what is wrong with you Mom and Dad are freaking out just pay the rent like you always do why are you being so difficult I almost laughed at that like I always do as if it was my job to keep a roof over their heads as if the fact that he was their favorite mint that responsibility automatically shifted to me I finally responded but I kept it short not my problem the response came within seconds wutf does that mean you

Can literally afford it stop being a dick I set my phone down without replying it was incredible how quickly the entitlement came out no hey are you okay no I didn’t realize how much you’ve been helping just immediate anger that I wasn’t keeping the ship afloat for them I expected more texts maybe a few angry voicemails but what I didn’t expect was what happened next the next day I woke up to a message from my aunt my mom’s sister hey sweetie your mom just called me in tears she says you’re refusing to help them and that they’re at risk of

Losing house what’s going on I thought you guys were close I sighed of course the flying monkeys had arrived I took a deep breath before responding hey Aunt Lisa I appreciate you checking in I’d love to explain but I think you should ask mom why she left me out of the W completely while expecting me to pay their bills let me know what she says there was a long pause before she finally replied wait what I smirked that was my cutest step back and watch The Fallout begin because now it wasn’t just between me and my parents now the rest

Of the family was about to find out exactly what had been happening behind closed doors and I had a feeling my parents weren’t going to like it at Leisa didn’t text back right away and I figured she was either trying to get the full story from my mom or just processing what I’d said either way I wasn’t going to chase after her for a response instead I went about my day enjoying the rare piece that came with not being at my parents back in call but that piece didn’t last last long by the afternoon my phone lit up again this

Time it was my mom how could you say that to Lisa this is a family matter not her business you’re making us look bad ah there it was not we’re sorry letun talk about this not I didn’t realize how unfair this was to you just pure outrage that their actions were now being questioned by someone else I waited a few minutes before responding it became her business the moment you dragged her into it if you don’t want people knowing what you did maybe you shouldn’t have done it that shut her up at least for the moment but then Ethan chimed in

Again mom is literally crying right now do you feel good about that do you feel good about making your own mother cry I stared at the text shaking my head the manipulation was so blatant it was almost funny almost if she’s crying it’s because she’s realizing that actions have consequences not my problem I send it and this time Ethan didn’t respond right away maybe he was running back to Mom and Dad feeding them my words so they could all sit together and fume about how awful I was meanwhile I was starting to realize just how much weight

Had been lifted off my shoulders for years I had been the responsible one the Dependable one the one who picked up the slack when my parents coddled Ethan and let him skate through life without consequences and what did I get for it nothing not even an acknowledgement in their will I’d sacrificed vacations nights out even put off buying a home of my own because I was always helping them out and they never once appreciated appreciated it I was done a few hours passed and then my phone rang again this time I answered because it was Aunt Lisa

Hey I said keeping my voice neutral Hey Jake she said and I could tell from her tone that she was treading carefully I just got off the phone with your mom I waited letting her continue she told me well she told me a very different version of what’s going on I almost laughed let me guess she made it sound like I’m some selfish greedy son who suddenly decided to abandon them for no reason there was a pause and then a quiet sigh more or less I leaned back in my chair did she mentioned that i’ve been covering their bills for years or

That they left me out of the will entirely while giving Ethan everything another pause no she left that part out of course she did well I said keeping my tone even that’s what happened Lisa sighed again Jake I had no idea I really didn’t and honestly I don’t blame you one bit that surprised me really of course look I love your mom she’s my sister but she’s always played favorites with Ethan and I hate to say it but I think she just assumed you’d always be there to clean up their messes that you would never say no well I said she assumed

Wrong Lisa was quiet for a moment then she said so what now I exhaled slowly now now they figure it out on their own I’m done being their safety net Lisa didn’t argue in fact she let out a dry little chuckle honestly good for you we talked for a few more minutes and before we hung up Lisa said something that stuck with me I have a feeling this isn’t over they’re going to try something be careful Jake she wasn’t wrong because later that evening I got another text from Ethan fine if you want to act like a selfish a go ahead just

Don’t come crawling back when you realize you messed up I stared at the message for a second before shaking my head messed up I hadn’t messed up a single thing if anything this was the first time in years that I was finally getting something right but Ethan’s text made one thing very clear they weren’t going to back down that easily and part of me was almost looking forward to whatever they tried next the next morning I woke up to a pounding on my front door not a polite knock not even an impatient one this was the kind of pounding that made

You think someone was about to break the door down I already knew who it was before I even checked the peephole for a second I debated just ignoring it letting them stand out there and fum but something told me that if I didn’t answer they just keep banging until the neighbors complained with a sigh I opened the door sure enough there stood my parents and Ethan mom had her arms crossed her face pinched with disapproval dad as usual stood slightly behind her like he always did when she was in full attack mode and Ethan well

Ethan had the same smug self-satisfied expression he always wore when he thought he was in control of a situation I leaned against the door frame arms crossed wow this is unexpected mom didn’t waste Time Jake we need to talk I let out a small chuckle oh now you want to talk not when you were riding me out of the will not when you were expecting me to keep paying your bills while giving Ethan everything now suddenly it’s urgent dad SED like I was being difficult son can we come in I pretended to think about it then shook my head no

I don’t think so we can have this conversation right here Ethan scoffed are you serious de@d serious mom huffed clearly not used to being denied what she wanted Jake you’re being childish childish I repeated raising an eyebrow that’s rich coming from the people who showed up at my house unannounced pounding on my door like debt collectors mom’s face turned red but she took a deep breath trying to regain control listen she said shifting to what I called her guil trip voice we know you’re upset we understand that you’re

Feeling left out but you have to look at this rationally I actually laughed rationally you want to talk about rationality after what you did Dad who had been silent up until now finally decided to chime in son you’re doing well for yourself you have a good job a stable life Ethan well he needs more help I turned to Ethan who was still standing there arms crossed like this was all beneath him he needs more help I repeated he’s 30 years old he’s not a kid he’s had every Advantage handed to him while I had to work for everything I

Have and now after all that you decided he deserves to inherit everything while I get nothing Ethan smirked it’s not my fault you didn’t fight for it I stared at him genuinely stunned by how Shameless he was fight for it I repeated my voice quiet fight for what my own parents love my own share of what should have been an equal inheritance mom waved a hand dismissively oh stop being dramatic we just thought it made sense you don’t need the money Jake that’s not the point I snapped it’s not about needing the money it’s about fairness

It’s about the fact that you used me for years took my help took my money took my time and then tossed me aside like I was nothing when it came to the one thing that should have been Fair mom’s eyes flashed Jake we are your parents we raised you the least you could do is show us some respect I laughed a short sharp sound respect you want respect when you’ve shown me none Ethan rolled his eyes God you’re so dramatic you’re seriously throwing a tantrum over this you’re acting like you’re some poor struggling victim I turned to him my

Voice I cold you really one to talk about struggling huh when’s the last time you had to work a full-time job without Mom and Dad bailing you out oh wait you never have that wiped the smug look off his face but before he could fire back Mom cut in again enough she snapped then she took a deep breath smoothing out her features look Jake this is not how I wanted this conversation to go but the reality is you’re family and family takes care of each other I could practically hear the Trap she was setting uhuh I said not

Giving her anything she sighed as if this was exhausting for her the mortgage is due I tilted my head and and we a little short this month I couldn’t help it I actually laughed are you serious after everything you just said after standing here defending your choices you’re still asking me for money mom’s lips pressed into a thin line Jake we asking you to do the right thing there it was the manipulation the guilt tripping the expectation that no matter how badly they treated me I would still come running when they needed me I took

A deep breath looked each of them in the eye and said no Mom flinched like I’d slapped her excuse me I said no I repeated my voice steady I’m not paying a single scent not now not ever again Ethan let out a low whistle well so that’s it huh you’re just going to let your own parents lose their home over some petty grud I stared at him you live there too don’t you maybe you should step up and pay for once in your life his face darkened you’re selfish Jake mom however wasn’t done Jake she said her voice dangerously low do you really

Want to do this do you really want to walk away from your family over money I met her gaze without flinching that’s funny I said because from where I’m standing you walked away from me first she opened her mouth but I didn’t let her speak you made your choice you chose Ethan you chose to leave me out well now I’m making my choice and I choose to be done I stepped back and without another word shut the door in their faces for a few seconds there was silence then I heard Mom’s muffled Voice through the door this isn’t over Jake I smiled to

Myself no it wasn’t because something told me they were about to learn just how badly they’d messed up I didn’t expect them to leave right away my mother wasn’t the kind of person to back down when she thought she was owed something sure enough less than a minute after I shut the door the knocking started again this time louder angrier Jake mom’s voice was shrill barely muffled through the door you’re making a huge mistake you’re going to regret this I leaned against the door arms crossed listening to her rant dad ever the quiet

Follower muttered something I couldn’t quite make out probably trying to calm her down but Ethan ever The Golden Child had no such patience you’re such a selfish piece of garbage you know that he shouted all those years we took care of you that actually made me laugh I swung the door back open just enough to glare at him you took care of me that’s funny Ethan because I seem to remember working two jobs in college while you had Mom and Dad paying your rent I seem to remember lending you money that you never paid back I seem to remember

Bailing Mom and Dad out while you sat around doing nothing his smug expression wavered but he quickly recovered well I was the one they trusted with their estate wasn’t I maybe you’re just mad that you weren’t good enough I clenched my jaw inhaling sharply this is what he wanted he wanted to get under my skin to make me react to make me lash out so that I’d be the one looking like the bad guy I refused to give him that satisfaction instead I simply smiled good luck with that estate then I’m sure it’ll be real helpful when

You’re struggling to pay the mortgage next month I shut the door again this time they didn’t knock for a moment there was silence then I heard my mother’s voice lower this time but still carrying that same Venom this is not over Jake I smirked yes Mom I muttered under my breath it really is the next few days went by in a blur of tension I expected them to try something maybe send a passive aggressive text maybe get my extended family involved but to my surprise nothing came no calls no emails no word from anyone I kept

Waiting for the other shoe to drop but instead it felt like the world had just shifted I wasn’t constantly on edge anymore I wasn’t hearing my mother’s guilt trips or my dad’s weak apologies it was like they had all vanished and for once I could breathe freely then 2 weeks later I came home from work to a small envelope stuck to my front door it was white unmarked with nothing but my name scribbled across the front in familiar your handwriting I tore it open expecting something passive aggressive or manipulative and I wasn’t

Disappointed Jake this is your last chance you were throwing everything away for Pride Ethan may have been chosen as executive of the estate but you are still family don’t make this harder than it has to be come to your census you’ll regret it no signature just the same tired threats I crumpled it up and threw it in the trash without even a second thought a few more days passed then I re received another message this time it wasn’t a letter it was an email from my mother’s address Jake I really thought you’d come around you’re the one who

Always told us family is everything now you’re turning your back on us we’re struggling we need you Ethan’s making a mess of things please let’s fix this before it’s too late this time I actually felt a little something anger the audacity to make me feel guilty about their mess to pull that old card about family is everything when they had chosen Ethan over me from the start I took a deep breath then I deleted the email without replying it was then that I realized something I wasn’t mad anymore I was just done and yet I still

Hadn’t heard from Ethan he was silent his arrogance replaced with something more desperate I had to admit that part of me was surprised Ethan the one who had always believed he was Untouchable wasn’t making a move I half expected him to show up at my door with an apology but he didn’t then one afternoon out of nowhere my phone rang the number was unfamiliar but something told me I should pick up I answered and sure enough it was my mother’s voice again Jake please she was crying I could hear it in her voice and I was taken aback

You need to come over Ethan’s lost the house he’s messing everything up we have nowhere to go please we need you to help us for the first time I felt nothing no sympathy no guilt no obligation I almost felt a strange sense of Rel Le this was it this was what I had been waiting for instead of responding immediately I let the silence linger I could feel her desperation across the phone her need for reassurance for me to step in and clean up Ethan’s mess but I wasn’t about to be dragged back into that cycle of

Manipulation no I finally said my voice calm this is your problem mom you’ve always wanted him to be The Golden Child and now you get to deal with the consequences of that choice you chose him to handle everything you trusted him you don’t get to pull me into your mess now she was quiet for a long moment then she whispered Jake please I don’t know what else to do I didn’t even Flinch I spoke my next words as coldly as I could you should have thought of that before you decided I wasn’t good enough to be part of the

Family I hung up the phone didn’t ring again for weeks I didn’t hear from anyone but strangely enough I felt better the weight of years of resentment and manipulation had finally been lifted and then one day while I was at the store I saw a familiar face in the parking lot my father he was walking toward a beat up car carrying some bags I hadn’t seen him in weeks I debated whether to approach him but something told me that nothing was left to fix I just turned away ignoring the way he called my name that was the last time I

Saw him so here I am a year later I haven’t heard a single word from my parents or Ethan part of me wonders if they’re still struggling part of me wonders if they ever realized what they did wrong but honestly I’m okay maybe for once it’s time for me to take care of me so Reddit what do you think did I go too far should I have tried to fix things instead of shutting them out let me know your thoughts