1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:02,600 Grandma's inheritance changed everything after my parents 2 00:00:02,600 --> 00:00:04,880 kicked me out and preferred my sister because of a missing 3 00:00:04,880 --> 00:00:07,320 bracelet. My sister was always given 4 00:00:07,320 --> 00:00:10,080 preference by my parents, who once expelled me for having a 5 00:00:10,080 --> 00:00:12,480 lost bracelet. They therefore arrived at my 6 00:00:12,480 --> 00:00:15,280 house in tears years later when my grandmother delivered me the 7 00:00:15,280 --> 00:00:16,880 family's inheritance in lieu of her. 8 00:00:17,320 --> 00:00:20,000 I grew up in a modest suburban home with two parents and a 9 00:00:20,000 --> 00:00:22,600 younger sister, which is what most people would consider a 10 00:00:22,600 --> 00:00:25,720 standard middle class family. We appeared to be a picture 11 00:00:25,720 --> 00:00:29,480 perfect family to outsiders. However, anyone who knew us well 12 00:00:29,480 --> 00:00:32,119 would tell you that my parents and I were constantly at odds. 13 00:00:32,600 --> 00:00:34,280 The explanation was straightforward. 14 00:00:34,440 --> 00:00:37,280 I was usually the last thing on their mind and they love my 15 00:00:37,280 --> 00:00:40,320 younger sister Emma. However, it wasn't always that 16 00:00:40,320 --> 00:00:42,880 way. I recall how devoted and kind my 17 00:00:42,880 --> 00:00:44,960 parents were to Emma and me when we were young. 18 00:00:45,440 --> 00:00:47,800 They lavished us with love, and for good reason. 19 00:00:48,280 --> 00:00:50,800 We were a rather intelligent couple who were excellent at 20 00:00:50,800 --> 00:00:53,200 everything. Nothing seemed to separate us 21 00:00:53,200 --> 00:00:56,560 during the golden age we shared. Both of us participated in 22 00:00:56,560 --> 00:01:00,120 gymnastics, art classes, and piano lessons, and our parents 23 00:01:00,120 --> 00:01:03,120 were equally pleased with us. There was no little favor for 24 00:01:03,120 --> 00:01:06,040 one of us over the other, and I never experienced any tension. 25 00:01:06,520 --> 00:01:09,160 But when I started 6th grade, everything changed. 26 00:01:09,640 --> 00:01:12,560 There was only one test. At first, I received a poor 27 00:01:12,560 --> 00:01:15,560 grade, the 1st in my life. Even though it wasn't a very 28 00:01:15,560 --> 00:01:18,480 significant one, it was sufficient for my parents to 29 00:01:18,480 --> 00:01:20,080 start viewing me in a different light. 30 00:01:20,560 --> 00:01:22,720 It was obvious to me that something had changed. 31 00:01:23,240 --> 00:01:25,320 When Emma brought home another flawless score. 32 00:01:25,480 --> 00:01:27,920 My mother wouldn't give me the same look that she gave Emma. 33 00:01:28,400 --> 00:01:31,200 While Emma's accomplishments were greeted with sincere pride, 34 00:01:31,360 --> 00:01:33,760 the praise they used to give me began to feel forced. 35 00:01:34,280 --> 00:01:37,200 All of a sudden, Emma was the one who could do no wrong, and I 36 00:01:37,200 --> 00:01:39,520 was the loose thread that could unravel at any time. 37 00:01:40,000 --> 00:01:42,200 I initially believed it to be a passing phase. 38 00:01:42,680 --> 00:01:44,520 Perhaps I was being overly sensitive. 39 00:01:45,000 --> 00:01:47,000 However, it was impossible to ignore. 40 00:01:47,440 --> 00:01:50,440 I was held accountable for any mistakes I made, no matter how 41 00:01:50,440 --> 00:01:52,800 minor. Emma's mistakes were dismissed 42 00:01:52,800 --> 00:01:56,440 or worse, forgiven. She's just having an off day, my 43 00:01:56,440 --> 00:01:59,320 dad used to say. Why can't you be more like Emma? 44 00:01:59,520 --> 00:02:02,640 Was my constant question. I was plagued with a statement 45 00:02:02,640 --> 00:02:05,440 during my adolescence. Emma became the daughter my 46 00:02:05,440 --> 00:02:07,720 parents had always desired as we grew older. 47 00:02:08,160 --> 00:02:10,840 She was gregarious, intelligent, and well liked. 48 00:02:11,320 --> 00:02:14,360 She was the popular girl, the homecoming queen, and the class 49 00:02:14,360 --> 00:02:17,000 president. Conversely, my introversion 50 00:02:17,000 --> 00:02:19,560 increased. I studied hard, remained to 51 00:02:19,560 --> 00:02:22,040 myself, and succeeded in my own unique way. 52 00:02:22,520 --> 00:02:25,080 However, it was never sufficient to rival Emma. 53 00:02:25,640 --> 00:02:29,000 I eventually gave up trying. The disparities in our treatment 54 00:02:29,000 --> 00:02:31,760 had become starkly apparent by the time we were in high school. 55 00:02:32,240 --> 00:02:35,520 Emma always had her own car, brand new clothes, and all the 56 00:02:35,520 --> 00:02:37,960 attention. Our parents would spend hours 57 00:02:37,960 --> 00:02:40,720 sitting with her when she needed homework help, making sure she 58 00:02:40,720 --> 00:02:43,720 grasped every step. If I sought assistance, they 59 00:02:43,720 --> 00:02:46,240 would either dismiss me and instruct me to solve the problem 60 00:02:46,240 --> 00:02:48,560 on my own, or it would be too late in the evening. 61 00:02:49,040 --> 00:02:51,480 They had begun to treat Emma like a Princess and treat me 62 00:02:51,480 --> 00:02:53,960 like an adult. Emma had everything given to 63 00:02:53,960 --> 00:02:57,080 her, but I quickly realized that if I wanted something, I would 64 00:02:57,080 --> 00:02:59,720 have to work for it. I made an effort to keep up my 65 00:02:59,720 --> 00:03:02,320 relationship with Emma in spite of the unequal treatment. 66 00:03:02,760 --> 00:03:05,400 She was my sister, after all, and I cherished her. 67 00:03:05,880 --> 00:03:08,840 However, it becomes increasingly difficult to overlook her 68 00:03:08,840 --> 00:03:11,600 increasing entitlement. Knowing she could get away with 69 00:03:11,600 --> 00:03:13,880 anything, she appeared to enjoy the attention. 70 00:03:14,400 --> 00:03:16,920 Emma was loved by more people than just my parents. 71 00:03:17,400 --> 00:03:20,400 Her allure enthralled our friends, instructors, and even 72 00:03:20,400 --> 00:03:23,320 complete strangers. I was the background darkness 73 00:03:23,480 --> 00:03:26,560 and she was the shining girl. I started to question whether 74 00:03:26,560 --> 00:03:29,440 others truly viewed me for who I was or if I was merely Emma's 75 00:03:29,440 --> 00:03:31,840 sister. The pivotal moment occurred 1 76 00:03:31,840 --> 00:03:33,920 summer following my high school graduation. 77 00:03:34,360 --> 00:03:37,120 I was eager to leave the house and start over after receiving a 78 00:03:37,120 --> 00:03:39,240 partial scholarship to a respectable college. 79 00:03:39,680 --> 00:03:42,200 I believe that my parents and I may get along better with some 80 00:03:42,200 --> 00:03:44,280 space and that they would eventually miss me when I was 81 00:03:44,280 --> 00:03:46,080 gone. I was mistaken. 82 00:03:46,600 --> 00:03:49,960 At this point, Emma began dating Jake, our high school football 83 00:03:49,960 --> 00:03:53,440 team standout quarterback. He was well liked, attractive, 84 00:03:53,520 --> 00:03:56,920 and from a rich family. Naturally, my folks adored him. 85 00:03:57,400 --> 00:03:59,480 They regarded him as though he were their son. 86 00:03:59,960 --> 00:04:02,560 My parents would prepare extravagant dinners to impress 87 00:04:02,560 --> 00:04:04,960 Jake, who spent every weekend at our place. 88 00:04:05,520 --> 00:04:08,040 They were obviously already looking forward to the day when 89 00:04:08,040 --> 00:04:10,960 Emma and Jake would tie the knot, start a family, and have 90 00:04:10,960 --> 00:04:14,200 the ideal grandchildren. I was working part time to help 91 00:04:14,200 --> 00:04:16,680 pay for the expenses my scholarship didn't cover while I 92 00:04:16,680 --> 00:04:18,800 was having trouble getting through my first semester of 93 00:04:18,800 --> 00:04:21,120 college. Emma and Jake's most recent 94 00:04:21,120 --> 00:04:24,320 excursions or Emma's academic performance were the only topics 95 00:04:24,320 --> 00:04:26,880 I heard when I returned home after breaks fatigued. 96 00:04:27,360 --> 00:04:29,720 Nobody inquired about me or my situation. 97 00:04:30,600 --> 00:04:33,640 They would also say sarcastic things like, Why can't you find 98 00:04:33,640 --> 00:04:36,280 someone like Jake? What remained of our family 99 00:04:36,280 --> 00:04:38,840 dynamic was devastated by the charges that followed. 100 00:04:39,320 --> 00:04:41,800 I came home for a visit one weekend when I was off from 101 00:04:41,800 --> 00:04:45,360 college before Emma's new bracelet, a gold charm bracelet 102 00:04:45,360 --> 00:04:46,720 that Jake had given her, vanished. 103 00:04:46,880 --> 00:04:48,440 Everything appeared to be as usual. 104 00:04:48,920 --> 00:04:51,120 Emma was upset and it was a costly item. 105 00:04:51,680 --> 00:04:54,760 In a state of complete panic, my parents tore the house apart in 106 00:04:54,760 --> 00:04:57,720 an attempt to find it. Emma speculated that perhaps I 107 00:04:57,720 --> 00:04:59,720 had taken it when they were unable to locate it. 108 00:05:00,200 --> 00:05:02,800 I initially believed her to be kidding, but she wasn't. 109 00:05:03,200 --> 00:05:05,840 The previous evening, she claimed to have witnessed me 110 00:05:05,840 --> 00:05:08,360 ogling the bracelet and hinted that I might have removed it out 111 00:05:08,360 --> 00:05:10,200 of envy. I was enraged. 112 00:05:10,640 --> 00:05:12,600 Her bracelet was untouchable by me. 113 00:05:13,080 --> 00:05:15,120 I hadn't given it a second consideration. 114 00:05:15,600 --> 00:05:18,560 My parents, however, believed her without hesitation. 115 00:05:19,000 --> 00:05:22,480 Of course, I objected. My folks wouldn't listen, even 116 00:05:22,480 --> 00:05:24,120 though I vowed I hadn't taken anything. 117 00:05:24,560 --> 00:05:26,360 They thought I had stolen it to get even. 118 00:05:26,840 --> 00:05:29,800 In fact, my father once remarked, we always knew you 119 00:05:29,800 --> 00:05:32,600 were jealous of Emma. That was the most painful thing 120 00:05:32,600 --> 00:05:35,000 they had ever uttered. It seemed as though the years 121 00:05:35,000 --> 00:05:37,440 spent striving to be a good daughter and gain their approval 122 00:05:37,440 --> 00:05:39,720 had been in vain. They threatened to leave the 123 00:05:39,720 --> 00:05:41,440 house unless I returned the jewelry. 124 00:05:41,880 --> 00:05:43,560 What I was hearing was unbelievable. 125 00:05:44,040 --> 00:05:46,600 They didn't believe me, even though I had my word and no 126 00:05:46,600 --> 00:05:49,520 evidence of my innocence. Their decisions had already been 127 00:05:49,520 --> 00:05:51,000 made. So I went out. 128 00:05:51,480 --> 00:05:53,640 I didn't turn around. After packing my things and 129 00:05:53,640 --> 00:05:56,440 leaving the house, I severed all contact with them. 130 00:05:56,880 --> 00:05:59,880 I had no other option. I couldn't continue to live in a 131 00:05:59,880 --> 00:06:02,800 home where I was treated like a criminal for no fault of my own. 132 00:06:03,360 --> 00:06:06,240 To help me get back on my feet, I found a friend to stay with. 133 00:06:06,840 --> 00:06:09,240 I didn't talk to my parents again for years after that. 134 00:06:09,800 --> 00:06:12,000 Without the help of my family, I struggled. 135 00:06:12,000 --> 00:06:15,280 In the ensuing years, I was left to do it all by myself. 136 00:06:15,800 --> 00:06:18,360 I struggled to make ends meet while balancing employment and 137 00:06:18,360 --> 00:06:21,160 education. On some days, I didn't think I 138 00:06:21,160 --> 00:06:24,680 would make it, but I did. After graduating, I secured A 139 00:06:24,680 --> 00:06:27,680 respectable career and gradually began to establish a life for 140 00:06:27,680 --> 00:06:29,800 myself. Emma was doing well in the 141 00:06:29,800 --> 00:06:33,200 meantime, According to mutual friends, she had secured A 142 00:06:33,200 --> 00:06:35,800 lucrative position at a marketing company, and she and 143 00:06:35,800 --> 00:06:38,600 Jake remained together. She had gotten into it with my 144 00:06:38,600 --> 00:06:41,280 father's help. For them, nothing appeared to 145 00:06:41,280 --> 00:06:44,280 have changed without me. They were still the ideal 146 00:06:44,280 --> 00:06:46,720 family. I didn't hear from my family for 147 00:06:46,720 --> 00:06:49,400 five years. My life had to be rebuilt from 148 00:06:49,400 --> 00:06:52,280 the ground up. My grandmother, my dad's mother 149 00:06:52,280 --> 00:06:55,480 specifically, was the only one who provided me with any kind of 150 00:06:55,480 --> 00:06:59,240 assistance or spiritual support. I was unexpectedly invited to my 151 00:06:59,240 --> 00:07:02,680 grandmother's Christmas dinner. To put it mildly, I was taken 152 00:07:02,680 --> 00:07:04,880 aback. The only member of the family 153 00:07:04,880 --> 00:07:06,960 who had ever treated me fairly was my grandma. 154 00:07:07,520 --> 00:07:10,120 She never mentioned my parents or made an effort to get me to 155 00:07:10,120 --> 00:07:12,720 make amends with them, but she did occasionally send me a 156 00:07:12,720 --> 00:07:14,400 birthday card or text to check in. 157 00:07:14,400 --> 00:07:17,440 After everything that had transpired, I wasn't sure if I 158 00:07:17,440 --> 00:07:20,240 wanted to go when I received the invitation, but I had a gut 159 00:07:20,240 --> 00:07:22,840 feeling that I should. It was like entering a time 160 00:07:22,840 --> 00:07:25,160 capsule. When I got to the supper, along 161 00:07:25,160 --> 00:07:28,800 with a few other family members, my parents, Emma, and even Jake 162 00:07:28,800 --> 00:07:31,120 were present. There was a noticeable tension. 163 00:07:31,600 --> 00:07:34,480 Emma pretended that nothing had ever happened between US, and my 164 00:07:34,480 --> 00:07:37,760 parents gave me a harsh welcome. They seemed to be expecting me 165 00:07:37,760 --> 00:07:40,640 to put the past behind me and comply with their ideal family 166 00:07:40,640 --> 00:07:42,600 act. I made it through the terrible 167 00:07:42,600 --> 00:07:44,640 night. My grandmother then began 168 00:07:44,640 --> 00:07:46,680 distributing gifts toward the end of the evening. 169 00:07:47,200 --> 00:07:49,840 I didn't have any big expectations, but my heart 170 00:07:49,840 --> 00:07:51,480 almost stopped as I opened the box. 171 00:07:52,000 --> 00:07:55,040 A gold Locket, an ancient family relic that had been handed down 172 00:07:55,040 --> 00:07:57,240 through the years, was found within the box. 173 00:07:57,680 --> 00:07:59,520 The jewelry wasn't just any jewelry. 174 00:08:00,040 --> 00:08:02,280 This Locket was thought to be the legitimate heir to the 175 00:08:02,280 --> 00:08:05,080 family's possessions. Grandma was giving it to me 176 00:08:05,080 --> 00:08:08,440 directly, ignoring her son, my father, and all the other 177 00:08:08,440 --> 00:08:11,480 grandchildren, including Emma, who had inherited it from her 178 00:08:11,480 --> 00:08:13,920 father. It represented more than merely 179 00:08:13,920 --> 00:08:16,160 custom. It implied that everything my 180 00:08:16,160 --> 00:08:19,880 grandparents had, including their home, land, and savings, 181 00:08:20,040 --> 00:08:23,440 would eventually belong to me. When my parents realized what 182 00:08:23,440 --> 00:08:27,080 had happened, I could see their faces become white in stunned 183 00:08:27,080 --> 00:08:30,560 quiet, Emma, who had always been the golden kid, sat. 184 00:08:31,080 --> 00:08:33,799 I could sense the tension in the room as my parents rapidly 185 00:08:33,799 --> 00:08:36,799 change their tone, trying to mask their amazement with fake 186 00:08:36,799 --> 00:08:39,440 grins. My parents quickly drew me aside 187 00:08:39,440 --> 00:08:41,200 after the awkward remainder of the meal. 188 00:08:41,640 --> 00:08:44,440 All of a sudden, they were remorseful, as though a few 189 00:08:44,440 --> 00:08:47,080 words of kindness could erase years of unfair treatment and 190 00:08:47,080 --> 00:08:49,440 neglect. They mentioned Emma's impending 191 00:08:49,440 --> 00:08:52,280 marriage and their desire for me to rejoin the family for her 192 00:08:52,280 --> 00:08:55,480 benefit. However, I was aware this was 193 00:08:55,480 --> 00:08:57,720 about money, not about love or family. 194 00:08:58,600 --> 00:09:01,480 Our family had always valued the heirloom, and they knew that I 195 00:09:01,480 --> 00:09:03,840 would be the one to inherit everything that went along with 196 00:09:03,840 --> 00:09:05,720 it. Now that I had it, they cared 197 00:09:05,720 --> 00:09:07,480 for me. Thus, they weren't worried about 198 00:09:07,480 --> 00:09:10,320 mending the relationship. They were concerned about their 199 00:09:10,320 --> 00:09:13,200 potential losses. In a tone that seemed more like 200 00:09:13,200 --> 00:09:15,920 a warning than an offer, my father even stated that they 201 00:09:15,920 --> 00:09:18,480 were prepared to forgive me for everything and begin anew. 202 00:09:18,960 --> 00:09:21,360 They seem to have forgotten who had initially harmed them. 203 00:09:21,880 --> 00:09:24,960 Other family members also added their voices, advising me to 204 00:09:25,000 --> 00:09:28,160 exercise common sense. They insisted that regardless of 205 00:09:28,160 --> 00:09:31,680 what had previously transpired, family is everything and that I 206 00:09:31,680 --> 00:09:33,040 should get back in touch with them. 207 00:09:33,520 --> 00:09:35,640 I could already hear the cliches piling up. 208 00:09:35,880 --> 00:09:38,920 You don't want to be alone. Sharing is caring and blood is 209 00:09:38,920 --> 00:09:41,840 thicker than water. I was over analyzing the matter 210 00:09:41,840 --> 00:09:44,480 because of all this pressure, even though it was obvious what 211 00:09:44,480 --> 00:09:46,880 I should and shouldn't do, knowing that they only 212 00:09:46,880 --> 00:09:48,600 appreciated me for what I now had. 213 00:09:48,800 --> 00:09:50,400 Did I wish to rejoin this family? 214 00:09:50,960 --> 00:09:53,520 Given that their new found interest in me was motivated by 215 00:09:53,520 --> 00:09:55,240 self-interest, Could I forgive them? 216 00:09:55,680 --> 00:09:57,760 What recommendations do you have regarding this? 217 00:09:58,240 --> 00:10:01,480 If so, I'd be in dire need of some first update. 218 00:10:01,960 --> 00:10:04,680 I felt overburdened when I returned to my flat following 219 00:10:04,680 --> 00:10:07,680 the Christmas celebration. It was difficult to take in all 220 00:10:07,680 --> 00:10:10,560 that had transpired For the remainder of the evening. 221 00:10:10,760 --> 00:10:13,720 I made every effort to stay away from my parents and other family 222 00:10:13,720 --> 00:10:16,400 members, but they persisted in trying to come near to me. 223 00:10:16,920 --> 00:10:19,280 Emma would not quit grinning at me as though we were suddenly 224 00:10:19,280 --> 00:10:22,080 best friends, and my parents would not stop glancing at me 225 00:10:22,080 --> 00:10:24,760 with guilt. However, I was aware that their 226 00:10:24,760 --> 00:10:27,720 goals were more about the family riches connected to the artifact 227 00:10:27,720 --> 00:10:29,520 I had been given than they were about family. 228 00:10:30,000 --> 00:10:32,480 Their actions simply made me want to keep my distance. 229 00:10:32,920 --> 00:10:35,360 The days that followed were devoted to introspection. 230 00:10:35,840 --> 00:10:38,480 I understood that I needed to talk to Grandma in a suitable 231 00:10:38,480 --> 00:10:40,400 manner. The Locket had useful 232 00:10:40,400 --> 00:10:42,400 applications. In addition to its symbolic 233 00:10:42,400 --> 00:10:45,080 significance, it meant that I would get the family's 234 00:10:45,080 --> 00:10:47,520 possessions. Although I hadn't been searching 235 00:10:47,520 --> 00:10:49,280 for this, I needed clarification. 236 00:10:49,280 --> 00:10:52,120 Now that it was on my plate, I wasn't prepared to become 237 00:10:52,120 --> 00:10:54,600 entangled in family money and tradition without fully 238 00:10:54,600 --> 00:10:57,680 comprehending its significance. I was still anxious about 239 00:10:57,680 --> 00:11:00,440 bringing up the topic. When I saw my grandmother, I 240 00:11:00,440 --> 00:11:01,880 asked her honestly what it all meant. 241 00:11:01,880 --> 00:11:04,760 After thanking her for entrusting me with a relic, I 242 00:11:04,760 --> 00:11:07,840 wanted to be open and honest. I informed her that if it meant 243 00:11:07,840 --> 00:11:10,520 bringing me back into the instability I had fought so hard 244 00:11:10,520 --> 00:11:12,800 to avoid, I didn't want the family's riches. 245 00:11:13,280 --> 00:11:16,000 Although they weren't my top concern, I promised her that I 246 00:11:16,000 --> 00:11:18,360 would use the assets sensibly if they came my way. 247 00:11:18,920 --> 00:11:21,960 Grandma patiently listened. Then she explained something to 248 00:11:21,960 --> 00:11:23,360 me that I didn't fully comprehend. 249 00:11:23,360 --> 00:11:26,480 Previously, she had spent years observing all of this. 250 00:11:26,960 --> 00:11:29,600 She had witnessed the family's growing estrangement from her, 251 00:11:29,720 --> 00:11:32,320 particularly following the argument between my parents and 252 00:11:32,320 --> 00:11:34,880 myself. She clarified that she was aware 253 00:11:34,880 --> 00:11:37,640 of the dysfunctional family dynamics and the harsh treatment 254 00:11:37,640 --> 00:11:40,400 I had received, especially from Emma and my parents. 255 00:11:40,880 --> 00:11:43,560 She was even aware of the fact that Emma was always given a 256 00:11:43,560 --> 00:11:46,440 free pass while I had to work several jobs to make ends meet 257 00:11:46,440 --> 00:11:49,280 during my time in college. Grandma acknowledged that she 258 00:11:49,280 --> 00:11:51,560 hadn't gotten involved for so long because she thought 259 00:11:51,560 --> 00:11:53,920 individuals should be allowed to live their own lives. 260 00:11:54,400 --> 00:11:57,440 However, she realized that her assets needed to be transferred 261 00:11:57,440 --> 00:11:59,880 to the appropriate person. After witnessing how things had 262 00:11:59,880 --> 00:12:02,560 turned out, how I had been mistreated but had still managed 263 00:12:02,560 --> 00:12:05,800 to create something for myself, someone who wouldn't waste it or 264 00:12:05,800 --> 00:12:07,840 take it for granted, she picked me. 265 00:12:07,840 --> 00:12:11,280 Because of this, my name was on her will, which she had already 266 00:12:11,280 --> 00:12:13,640 made. Her honesty astonished me. 267 00:12:14,080 --> 00:12:16,560 The heirloom was no longer the only consideration. 268 00:12:17,000 --> 00:12:20,040 Trust was at issue. Grandma trusted me to take care 269 00:12:20,040 --> 00:12:22,880 of everything, and that duty felt significant and weighty. 270 00:12:23,360 --> 00:12:26,160 She reassured me that this was about entrusting the family's 271 00:12:26,160 --> 00:12:28,640 future to people she knew would uphold it, not about 272 00:12:28,640 --> 00:12:30,480 compensating me for what I had endured. 273 00:12:30,960 --> 00:12:33,640 Even though it seemed odd to find myself in this situation, 274 00:12:33,640 --> 00:12:36,080 all of a sudden, I couldn't help but feel validated. 275 00:12:36,560 --> 00:12:39,200 Grandma had seen the truth, and it meant more than anything 276 00:12:39,200 --> 00:12:40,960 else. Therefore, all those years of 277 00:12:40,960 --> 00:12:43,080 being the forgotten daughter suddenly didn't matter. 278 00:12:43,520 --> 00:12:46,200 But although this made a lot of things clearer, it also made 279 00:12:46,200 --> 00:12:48,880 things more complicated. The inheritance remained a 280 00:12:48,880 --> 00:12:51,720 threat, and I was certain that my parents and Emma would do all 281 00:12:51,720 --> 00:12:53,280 in their power to regain control. 282 00:12:53,280 --> 00:12:56,240 Now that they were aware of the consequences, they had no 283 00:12:56,240 --> 00:12:57,880 intention of letting it go lightly. 284 00:12:58,720 --> 00:13:02,520 Second Update Hi everyone on Reddit, When I return with an 285 00:13:02,520 --> 00:13:04,840 update, the situation has gotten worse. 286 00:13:05,320 --> 00:13:07,800 If you have been following along, you are aware of how 287 00:13:07,800 --> 00:13:11,520 chaotic my family situation is. I was mistaken to believe that 288 00:13:11,520 --> 00:13:13,560 returning to school would bring me any calm. 289 00:13:14,400 --> 00:13:17,040 I went back to my flat in the hopes of escaping the drama 290 00:13:17,040 --> 00:13:19,880 following the Christmas debacle in which Emma and my parents 291 00:13:19,880 --> 00:13:22,000 essentially begged for the family inheritance. 292 00:13:22,480 --> 00:13:25,400 I tried to ignore my family's incessant calls and texts by 293 00:13:25,400 --> 00:13:27,560 immersing myself in my work for a few days. 294 00:13:28,000 --> 00:13:30,920 Naturally, though, such tranquility was short lived. 295 00:13:31,480 --> 00:13:34,720 Not only did Emma and my parents keep sending texts, but so did 296 00:13:34,720 --> 00:13:37,960 the rest of my family. Suddenly, relatives who hadn't 297 00:13:37,960 --> 00:13:40,160 spoken to me in years felt obligated to settle the 298 00:13:40,160 --> 00:13:42,520 conflict. They were all repeating the same 299 00:13:42,520 --> 00:13:45,160 phrases. Don't let money tear you apart. 300 00:13:45,840 --> 00:13:48,600 Family is everything and my personal favorite. 301 00:13:49,200 --> 00:13:52,040 You're being selfish. The fact that these relatives 302 00:13:52,040 --> 00:13:54,600 were unaware of the entire scenario only made matters 303 00:13:54,600 --> 00:13:56,840 worse. While Emma had it all and lived 304 00:13:56,840 --> 00:13:59,720 the ideal life, they were not around when my parents disowned 305 00:13:59,720 --> 00:14:02,280 me or when I had to scrounge for food and rent while attending 306 00:14:02,280 --> 00:14:04,480 college. They only cared about what they 307 00:14:04,480 --> 00:14:07,040 had heard from my parents, who were now neatly playing the 308 00:14:07,040 --> 00:14:09,840 victims and didn't give a damn about the years of abuse. 309 00:14:10,280 --> 00:14:13,720 Their opinion suffocated me. Before things took a startling 310 00:14:13,720 --> 00:14:16,320 turn, I believed I could just ignore everything and 311 00:14:16,320 --> 00:14:19,440 concentrate on my work. Emma and my dad unexpectedly 312 00:14:19,440 --> 00:14:21,240 came up to my apartment one afternoon. 313 00:14:21,720 --> 00:14:23,920 You read correctly. They showed up at my house 314 00:14:23,920 --> 00:14:26,840 without my invitation. They seem to have a purpose, 315 00:14:26,920 --> 00:14:29,720 which was to coerce me into making amends or something, of 316 00:14:29,720 --> 00:14:32,600 course on their terms. I could hear my mother sobbing 317 00:14:32,600 --> 00:14:35,360 from the hallway as they pounded on the door and called my name. 318 00:14:35,840 --> 00:14:38,840 I went cold after several months of being with me. 319 00:14:39,000 --> 00:14:41,800 My friend appeared frightened and I was at a loss for what to 320 00:14:41,800 --> 00:14:44,160 do. My parents began begging me in 321 00:14:44,160 --> 00:14:46,280 front of my pal as soon as I opened the door. 322 00:14:46,720 --> 00:14:49,240 My mother was crying as she talked about how they couldn't 323 00:14:49,240 --> 00:14:52,320 let me go and how we had to make things right, as though I had 324 00:14:52,320 --> 00:14:54,560 done something wrong. My dad said that they were 325 00:14:54,560 --> 00:14:56,120 willing to forgive me for everything. 326 00:14:56,680 --> 00:14:59,760 Emma, meanwhile, was standing there pretending to be worried, 327 00:14:59,920 --> 00:15:01,320 but I could see straight through her. 328 00:15:01,760 --> 00:15:04,200 She was more concerned about what would happen if I didn't 329 00:15:04,200 --> 00:15:06,560 agree to split the inheritance than she was about making 330 00:15:06,560 --> 00:15:08,560 amends. They weren't listening to me 331 00:15:08,560 --> 00:15:11,200 when I tried to keep the topic quiet and told them that this 332 00:15:11,200 --> 00:15:12,960 wasn't the right time or place for it. 333 00:15:13,400 --> 00:15:16,520 While my dad stayed in the doorway, refusing to leave, my 334 00:15:16,520 --> 00:15:18,920 mom virtually shoved past me in an attempt to enter the 335 00:15:18,920 --> 00:15:21,200 apartment. They kept interrupting me to 336 00:15:21,200 --> 00:15:23,560 talk about Emma's impending marriage and the necessity to 337 00:15:23,560 --> 00:15:26,000 restore the family's unity before that could happen. 338 00:15:26,400 --> 00:15:29,160 They tried to coerce me into agreeing to give up a portion of 339 00:15:29,160 --> 00:15:32,520 the future inheritance, which, mind you, I didn't even formally 340 00:15:32,520 --> 00:15:35,400 receive yet by making it seem like I was the one destroying 341 00:15:35,400 --> 00:15:38,000 the family. It was a humiliating scene. 342 00:15:38,520 --> 00:15:41,160 My neighbors began to emerge from their rooms to observe the 343 00:15:41,160 --> 00:15:43,480 mayhem. I was doing everything I could 344 00:15:43,480 --> 00:15:46,200 to keep it quiet, but the more they lingered, the louder they 345 00:15:46,200 --> 00:15:49,080 became. Emma stood there looking smug as 346 00:15:49,080 --> 00:15:51,720 though she knew they would finally wear me down, while my 347 00:15:51,720 --> 00:15:53,960 mom was on her knees pleading with me to forgive them. 348 00:15:54,480 --> 00:15:56,200 I was stuck and didn't know what to do. 349 00:15:56,680 --> 00:15:58,760 They refused to budget when I told them to go. 350 00:15:59,240 --> 00:16:02,320 After what seemed like hours of begging, I finally had enough 351 00:16:02,320 --> 00:16:05,600 and phone security. Fortunately, security showed up 352 00:16:05,600 --> 00:16:08,400 right away. At first they asked my parents 353 00:16:08,400 --> 00:16:10,680 to leave in a courteous manner, but they refused. 354 00:16:11,120 --> 00:16:13,880 Security had to step in at that point and threatened to call the 355 00:16:13,880 --> 00:16:16,760 police if they didn't leave. It was a whole new level of 356 00:16:16,760 --> 00:16:19,560 embarrassment. Before my parents ultimately 357 00:16:19,560 --> 00:16:22,400 gave in, my mother made a huge public announcement that I was 358 00:16:22,400 --> 00:16:25,120 leaving my home. Emma went one step farther. 359 00:16:25,240 --> 00:16:28,520 As if that wasn't enough, she informed a number of my friends 360 00:16:28,520 --> 00:16:31,160 via mass text after she left that I had deserted her and my 361 00:16:31,160 --> 00:16:33,560 parents. She cleverly omitted the part 362 00:16:33,560 --> 00:16:35,840 where they had disowned me for something I didn't even do, 363 00:16:36,000 --> 00:16:39,000 making it seem like I was the bad guy in this whole situation. 364 00:16:39,440 --> 00:16:41,920 I had to explain the entire thing to some of my friends 365 00:16:41,920 --> 00:16:43,800 because they were understandably perplexed. 366 00:16:44,320 --> 00:16:46,880 It was draining and I was astounded by the extent Emma 367 00:16:46,880 --> 00:16:48,880 would go to in order to appear to be the victim. 368 00:16:49,400 --> 00:16:51,000 I'm not sure what to do right now. 369 00:16:51,480 --> 00:16:53,920 I'm attempting to move on and haven't spoken to my parents 370 00:16:53,920 --> 00:16:56,720 since that happened, but I can't help but watch over them because 371 00:16:56,720 --> 00:16:59,520 of their desperation. I feel like I'm being forced 372 00:16:59,520 --> 00:17:02,120 into a difficult situation where I have to give in in order to 373 00:17:02,120 --> 00:17:05,200 please everyone else. However, I will never forget the 374 00:17:05,200 --> 00:17:07,880 way they treated me. However, the pressure is too 375 00:17:07,880 --> 00:17:10,560 much to handle. A part of me questions whether 376 00:17:10,560 --> 00:17:13,119 this will ever end or if I will have to live with it forever. 377 00:17:13,599 --> 00:17:16,119 It seems like my family is desperate to pull me back into 378 00:17:16,119 --> 00:17:18,960 their mess, even though right now I simply want to concentrate 379 00:17:18,960 --> 00:17:22,280 on me and my future. 3rd update. Greetings once more. 380 00:17:22,280 --> 00:17:26,359 Reddit users, hold on tight for after my last report, things 381 00:17:26,359 --> 00:17:30,600 have become considerably worse. To be honest though, I wasn't 382 00:17:30,600 --> 00:17:32,440 sure I wanted anything to do with them anymore. 383 00:17:32,440 --> 00:17:35,680 After everything, I couldn't help but wonder what's keeping 384 00:17:35,680 --> 00:17:38,200 them from turning on me again. If it was so simple to do so 385 00:17:38,200 --> 00:17:41,240 based only on a story, what assurance did I have that my 386 00:17:41,240 --> 00:17:44,200 parents wouldn't act in the same way if a new circumstance arose? 387 00:17:44,360 --> 00:17:46,920 Given their ability to change their minds so swiftly in the 388 00:17:46,920 --> 00:17:50,400 past, supporting Emma and rejecting me, I felt as though I 389 00:17:50,400 --> 00:17:53,160 would have to be cautious around them all the time, wondering if 390 00:17:53,160 --> 00:17:55,640 their devotion to me was sincere or merely practical. 391 00:17:56,120 --> 00:17:58,880 I would want to put myself 1st and take a vacation from them 392 00:17:58,880 --> 00:18:01,680 all for the time being. Don't bring me back into their 393 00:18:01,680 --> 00:18:03,600 mess. Let them handle it on their own. 394 00:18:04,000 --> 00:18:07,120 My parents also contacted me again after all of this, but 395 00:18:07,120 --> 00:18:10,080 they spoke in a different tone. They stopped pressuring me and 396 00:18:10,080 --> 00:18:13,360 making me feel guilty. They nearly apologized, but I 397 00:18:13,360 --> 00:18:16,520 could see they weren't sincere. In order to obtain the future 398 00:18:16,520 --> 00:18:19,040 inheritance, they were still concentrating on the money and 399 00:18:19,040 --> 00:18:21,200 trying to make things go as smoothly as possible. 400 00:18:21,640 --> 00:18:24,120 They were more concerned with maintaining appearances and 401 00:18:24,120 --> 00:18:26,560 ensuring financial stability than they were with actually 402 00:18:26,560 --> 00:18:29,400 repairing our relationship, particularly now that Emma's 403 00:18:29,400 --> 00:18:31,680 future wasn't looking as stable as they had planned. 404 00:18:32,120 --> 00:18:35,160 To be honest, I haven't replied to them and I'm not sure I will. 405 00:18:35,640 --> 00:18:37,200 Even if they come with an apology. 406 00:18:37,320 --> 00:18:40,120 I'm not prepared to open that door again because this entire 407 00:18:40,120 --> 00:18:43,080 event has served as a brutal reminder of how toxic my family 408 00:18:43,080 --> 00:18:45,600 can be. I'm concentrating on myself and 409 00:18:45,600 --> 00:18:48,280 the future I want to create on my own terms, free from the 410 00:18:48,280 --> 00:18:50,080 burden of their deceit and manipulation. 411 00:18:50,080 --> 00:18:52,920 For the time being, Reddit, that's enough for now. 412 00:18:53,440 --> 00:18:55,640 I appreciate all of your guidance and help during this 413 00:18:55,640 --> 00:18:57,840 journey. I feel like I'm now beginning to 414 00:18:57,840 --> 00:19:00,440 see things more clearly, even though it's been a difficult 415 00:19:00,440 --> 00:19:00,840 journey.