A woman who had always been treated as an outsider by her family was stunned when they suddenly turned to her for help—expecting her to put her life on the line.
A 31-year-old woman shared her painful story on Reddit, revealing a lifetime of mistreatment. She has an older sister, Mary, 33, who was always the family’s favorite, often called the “golden child” by their parents. The Original Poster (OP) explained that she was considered an “accident,” born prematurely with a heart condition, and spent much of her childhood in hospitals undergoing multiple surgeries.
To make matters worse, OP’s parents frequently reminded her that she was a financial burden, despite her grandparents helping cover medical costs. Her relationship with her sister was no better—Mary openly resented her and bullied her throughout their childhood while their parents looked the other way. Determined to escape the toxic environment, OP moved to another state for college with the support of her grandparents. This turned out to be the best decision of her life, as she met Greg, the man who would become her husband and treat her with the love and respect she never received at home.
When OP and Greg decided to marry after graduation, her parents refused to contribute, claiming they had spent too much on Mary’s wedding the previous year. They didn’t even attend. With financial help from her grandparents, OP and Greg handled everything on their own, eventually settling in the city where they had studied. OP kept minimal contact with her parents, mainly staying in touch with her grandparents.
Years later, the couple had a son, but OP’s pregnancy was high-risk. Doctors even advised her to terminate due to potential complications, but she and her child fortunately survived. However, the ordeal severely impacted her health, and doctors warned her against future pregnancies. She and Greg agreed they wouldn’t try for more children.
A month ago, OP and her family moved back to her hometown to be closer to her ailing grandfather. Upon returning, she noticed a change in how her mother and sister treated her. Her mother, who had never shown much affection, suddenly expressed pride in her, while Mary became unusually warm. OP felt uneasy, sensing something was off.
Two weeks later, at a family dinner, Mary handed OP a card, calling it a gift. Expecting an apology, OP was instead shocked to find a letter from Mary announcing her infertility and “congratulating” OP on becoming her surrogate.
Stunned, OP immediately refused, explaining that another pregnancy would be dangerous for her health. Mary burst into tears, and their parents erupted in anger, calling OP selfish for not helping her sister. When she reminded them of her medical risks, they coldly responded, “For family, you take risks.”
Overwhelmed, OP grabbed her husband and left. In her Reddit post, she admitted feeling guilty but questioned whether she was wrong for prioritizing her health.
Reddit users quickly came to her defense, assuring her she wasn’t at fault. Many pointed out how her family had always mistreated her and was now attempting to manipulate her into a life-threatening situation. Some even urged her to move away for her safety. One commenter emphasized that OP should never feel guilty for standing up for herself—her life was not disposable.