12/24/2025
I was ten when I realized my parents didn’t want me anymore. Not because I’d done anything to deserve it — they simply moved on after divorcing.
Dad married his former mistress, and he immediately built a "real family." Mom remarried a man who said he didn’t want "extra kids," and after she had my half-sister, her attention faded from me, too.
One night, I heard them debating who "had" to take me. My stepmom murmured, "She doesn’t even fit in here," while my mom solftly said, "I can’t handle two kids."
Later, Mom sat me down at the kitchen table, her hands shaking. "Honey… it might be better if you stay with Aunt Carol for a while."
A while became FOREVER. They shoved my things into three plastic bags and drove me to Aunt Carol’s tiny yellow house.
She thought I was spending a weekend. Instead, she got me for life.
Aunt Carol wrapped me in a hug, brought out grilled cheese, tucked me in, and said, "You are a blessing, not a burden." She had no kids and ended up raising me completely. She cheered me on at school events, bought me art supplies from her overtime pay, and hung my drawings in her hallway.
My parents? No birthday celebrations. No appearances at art shows. No graduation congratulations. Occasionally a card, but mostly nothing.
At 22, everything changed.
I won an international art contest, with a $250,000 prize and worldwide recognition.
Two days later, MY PARENTS APPEARED at my workplace like characters from a forced reunion.
Mom rushed in with tears: "Sweetheart! I've prayed for this moment!" Dad smiled: "It's time to be a family again."
Then Mom added quietly: "My car is breaking down… maybe you could help?" Dad chimed in: "We are looking for a condo. Your sister needs more room."
There it was.
What they wanted was my money.
I WAS DETERMINED TO TEACH THEM A LESSON.
I put my fork down, looked at both, and said: "Fine. I'll help you… but on ONE condition. ..To be continued in the comments 👇