I spent years of my life wanting to take revenge on my father because he abandoned me when I needed him the most. When life gave me the chance to do it, I thought twice.
One day I opened the door and I saw someone I didn’t expect. It was my dad. I hadn’t seen him for ages. In fact, I didn’t want to.
“Hi, son. I’m sorry to come like this. I tried to call you but you didn’t answer your phone,” he told me.
“Yeah, what do you want?”
“I was wondering if maybe I could stay with you… I don’t have a place right now, so…”
I found my dad sleeping on the streets. | Source: Pexel
“You can stay. But you have to pay rent.”
“But I don’t have any money at all… and you’re the only person who can help me.”
“I don’t care,” I said, feeling my heart tighten. “You can live on the street. I wish God had taken you instead of mom!”
I slammed the door and my wife was just behind me. She was pissed with what just happened but she had no idea what I went through with this man. She pushed me to tell her, so I did.
It all started when I turned 18. My mom had passed away 2 years before that, so I think my dad was still adapting to taking both roles. He prepared a surprise birthday party and everything. After we celebrated, he asked me what I was planning to do with my living situation and I was like, what the heck?
He told me I was an adult and if I wanted to stay with him in the house, I needed to pay some kind of rent. I was so angry. Pay rent? To my own father?! What’s wrong with him?
My dad prepared a surprise birthday party for me. | Source: Pexel
He continued with his argument saying that was normal and I had to grow up. When I told him I’d rather live in a dorm in college than pay him rent, he said he couldn’t afford college and I had to pay for it myself. That I should either get a job or a loan.
“I felt betrayed, Julie. I didn’t expect that. That’s why I left,” I told my wife.
Julie said my father reached out to her a few days earlier and that she gave him our address. That’s right, she didn’t tell me anything either…
I got into an argument with my wife because of my dad. | Source: Pexel
And then, she suggested I forgive my father. “It’s been years,” she said.
But no. I wasn’t ready. I didn’t want to forgive him. He was the one who threw me out like some kind of stray dog. “No, Julie, I work 24/7 to at least, eat normally. And he? He just abandoned me! No forgiveness!” I told her.
“Come on, honey, he’s your father!”
“So what? You don’t know! You don’t understand… Only my mom truly loved me. And she would have never allowed him to kick me out of my own house and…”
In the heat of our fight, I stepped out and went for a walk. | Source: Pexel
“Nick,” Julie interrupted me, “do you know your father’s side of the story? I mean you lost your mom but he lost his wife… Have you thought about how this affected him as well?”
“You know what? THAT’S ENOUGH!” I shouted, “I don’t want to hear it!! I’m done…”
Julie almost burst into tears. We barely fought and I knew she was trying to help me. I decided to get some fresh air and went for a walk.
I saw a man sleeping on a bench and I recognized him. | Source: Pexel
When I passed by some benches, I couldn’t believe my eyes. I spotted a man sleeping on one but I thought it was a hobo. But I looked a second time and I knew I knew him from somewhere… it was my dad!
“Dad, wake up! Are you OK?”
He woke up straight away, “Nick, is that you?!”
“Yes, dad, I’m really sorry! I just…”
“I just wanted you to do good in life and…”
“Shh, easy dad, that’s okay, that’s okay.”
He burst into tears. “I thought if you had to pay rent then maybe… maybe you would move on. I wanted to help you, son. You were just sitting on the couch. You weren’t doing anything.” He continued, visibly emotional, “I wanted to motivate you to get a job and live your life.”
My dad got emotional when I found him. | Source: Pexel
“I know I couldn’t pay for your college because I invested the money into my business and… I was gonna give the business to you. But I lost everything, Nick.”
I finally understood what Julie meant. His part of the story. Everything he did was with good intentions. So I couldn’t leave him like that. I knew I was the only person he had left.
“No, dad,” I replied. “If it wasn’t for you, I would have stayed on the couch and achieved nothing. You pushed me for good and I needed to get out of my comfort zone.”
“Yes, that’s what I wanted, Nick.”
“I know, dad. But I didn’t see it that way. I thought you betrayed me. But because you did what you did, now I have a great job and a beloved family. And that’s all thanks to you!”
He was so happy when we decided to forgive each other. | Source: Pexel
“I know I did a lot of things… I know I hurt you, son. Can you forgive me?”
“No, it’s you who should forgive me, dad!” Suddenly, I felt something shifting inside of me. I had been practicing meditation a lot and one of them was about forgiveness. I could never truly forgive my father before, but that day, I did it. Finally.
I started to practice meditation to forgive my father. | Source: Pexel
“I’ve held this anger for so many years… And I’ve tried different things to get rid of it. But now I understand… I was wrong.” I stood up and took him by the hand. “Let’s go home, dad. We have a lot to talk about…”
“Thank you, son. I love you! I’ve always loved you!”
“You’ll be a grandfather!”
“Wait, what? Is Julie pregnant?!”
My dad would soon become a grandfather. | Source: Unsplash
What can we learn from this story?
- We should always appreciate our parents. We are all humans and we make mistakes. We never know what kind of sacrifices they went through for us.
- Forgiveness can set one free. Nick was holding grudges against his father for so many years and he felt free when he forgave the man.
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If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a man who forced her stepdaughter to become a golddigger.
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I Got Engaged to a ‘Perfect’ Woman – When I Met Her Parents for the First Time, I Canceled the Wedding
When I met the woman of my dreams, I believed we were perfect for each other! But after I met her parents, I had major doubts about our future together. It took a while, but I finally saw her for who she was, and I didn’t like it!
As a 31-year-old man, I’d dated a couple of different women in my life, but when I saw Olivia, my life changed. I knew I wanted her to be my wife after our first meeting but learned the hard way that taking time to know someone is ideal. Here’s my story.
A man at a music concert | Source: Midjourney
I met the beautiful and lively Olivia at a concert. When I first spotted her, she was standing near the stage, singing along to every word of our favorite band’s songs—her energy electrifying! I was there alone, trying to soak in the music after a rough week at work, and her joy was contagious!
During the intermission, I managed to maneuver closer to her and struck up a conversation. We clicked instantly, bonding over our shared love for indie rock and terrible karaoke. By the end of the night, I had her number and a gut feeling that I’d just met someone extraordinary!
A man bonding with a woman | Source: Midjourney
Our relationship took off faster than I expected. Olivia was everything I’d ever wanted in a woman! She was charming, passionate, and endlessly supportive! Her vibrant personality was addictive, making every day feel like an adventure.
After only four months of dating bliss, we decided to move in together. It felt right, everything about us felt right! My apartment was small and bland, while Olivia’s place was larger and full of life, like her.
A large apartment | Source: Midjourney
She had plants on every windowsill, cozy blankets, and shelves of well-loved books. Blending our lives was effortless. What I didn’t anticipate was that living together would only deepen my affection for her.
We were the perfect couple in my eyes, and some of my friends who met her thought the same. We cooked dinner together, binge-watched old sitcoms, and hosted game nights with her friends and mine.
A couple hanging out with friends | Source: Midjourney
Olivia had this way of making the mundane feel special, and my friends loved her! After eight months, I knew she was the one! So, I planned another trip to a concert by the same band that was playing when we first met.
I was nervous when I bought the engagement ring, but we’d spoken about our future, and she’d excitedly revealed that she’d love to marry me and have children. That was all I needed to know. I hid the ring in my jacket and pulled it out at the perfect moment.
A man looking at a wedding ring | Source: Midjourney
I proposed at the concert, the same band playing a love song we adored in the background, and she said yes without hesitation! I thought I was the luckiest man alive! But I should’ve known better than to rush into things so quickly.
Because things moved so fast between us, we hadn’t met each other’s families yet. But Olivia always spoke highly of her parents, describing them as “fun and old-school.” She mentioned they were excited about the engagement and wanted to meet me.
A couple talking | Source: Midjourney
They planned a trip to visit us, and Olivia suggested celebrating our engagement with them at an upscale restaurant. I was nervous but eager to make a great impression.
The plan was that Olivia would meet my parents soon afterward. I spent the day preparing for the big day by getting my best suit pressed. I even rehearsed polite conversation and Googled ways to connect with potential in-laws.
A man using his laptop | Source: Midjourney
When we finally arrived at the restaurant, my nerves started kicking in, but I brushed them off, knowing I’d come prepared. As we entered, Olivia helped ease my tension by squeezing my hand and whispering, “Relax, they’re going to love you just like I do.”
But from the moment her parents arrived, I knew this dinner wouldn’t be normal. As soon as we sat down and I was introduced to her parents, they made me regret ever coming.
A couple sitting at a table | Source: Midjourney
Her father, Richard, was a broad-shouldered man with a commanding presence and a serious air about him. He barely acknowledged me as he took his seat. Her mother, Diane, adorned in enough jewelry to blind the waiter, gave me a quick once-over before turning to Olivia with a tight-lipped smile.
“So, Tommy, right?” Richard began. Without giving me a chance to respond, he said, “Let’s talk about your future roles now that you’re marrying our daughter.”
A serious older man talking | Source: Midjourney
I smiled, thinking he was referring to becoming part of the family or shared traditions. Instead, he leaned back and said, “Olivia’s been dreaming of quitting her job to be a full-time homemaker. You’ll need to cover all the household expenses so she can focus on that.”
I blinked, unsure if I’d heard him correctly.
Diane chuckled, swirling her wine. “Oh, and don’t forget a little financial help for us wouldn’t hurt. Just a small monthly amount for your new in-laws—it’s the least a loving son-in-law can do, right?”
A happy woman talking | Source: Midjourney
I froze in place, my smile faltering before I managed to squeak, “I’m sorry—what?”
Richard’s face remained stone-cold as he nodded as if the conversation was normal. “You want to marry into the family, right? So, you have to provide. Your wife shouldn’t have to work. And we’ll appreciate a modest amount for our pension from you as well.”
I glanced at Olivia, expecting her to laugh it off! But she only smiled sweetly and said, “It’s not a big deal, baby. Really. It’s how we’ve always done things in our family.”
A happy woman | Source: Midjourney
The waiter conveniently appeared with our drinks, giving me a moment to process this insanity! I felt like I’d been sucker-punched and was struggling to catch my breath. But looking back, there were small things I ignored.
Olivia tended to brush off any serious conversations I wanted to have. Once, when we talked about finances, she laughed and said, “Oh, my parents have always told me I’d marry someone who’d take care of me.” I thought it was a joke, until now.
A couple talking | Source: Midjourney
While everyone placed their food orders, I sat there in awe, mulling over what I’d just heard. When the waiter turned to me, I ordered the first thing I saw on the menu, completely dazed and consumed by what Olivia and her parents had told me.
After the waiter left, Richard continued as if he were negotiating a business merger. “It’s not just about you providing money, of course. My daughter deserves the lifestyle she’s grown accustomed to—vacations, fine dining, spa days, and such. You’ll need to buy her apartment from us too. We raised her with high standards, after all.”
A serious man talking | Source: Midjourney
Diane leaned in. “And eventually, you’ll need a bigger place. This apartment is fine for now, but our grandchildren will need more space. And when we visit, we expect to have a bedroom dedicated to us.”
My appetite completely vanished as the food was served. Every word out of their mouths felt surreal, and so did the whole evening! I glanced at Olivia again, but she just sipped her wine, perfectly comfortable.
A woman holding her wine | Source: Midjourney
I don’t remember what they spoke about for the rest of the dinner. I occasionally smiled, and I think I chipped in with some comments, but I wasn’t there mentally. When the check arrived, Richard didn’t even glance at it.
He made intense eye contact as he slid it toward me without a word. I paid, my hands trembling. The drive home was suffocatingly silent. Olivia fiddled with her engagement ring before finally breaking the silence.
A woman sitting in the passenger’s seat of a car | Source: Midjourney
“So? What did you think of them?”
I gripped the steering wheel, choosing to handle the matter at hand once and for all. “Honestly? I think I can’t marry you.”
Her head snapped toward me. “What? Are you serious?”
I nodded. “Because this isn’t love, Olivia. It’s a business arrangement. Your parents want me to be their retirement plan, and you’re okay with that. That’s not the kind of life I want.”
An upset man driving | Source: Midjourney
Her face twisted in disbelief. “You’re overreacting! It’s just how my family works! You said you loved me!”
“I do—or I did. But love doesn’t come with conditions like this,” I replied.
We argued all the way home. Olivia accused me of being cold, selfish, and unwilling to compromise. But in my mind, the decision was made. As soon as we got home, I packed my things. The same apartment that once felt so alive now felt like a cage.
An upset man packing his clothes | Source: Midjourney
I moved in with my brother, Nate, for a while. He didn’t ask questions, just handed me a beer and let me sit in silence.
A week later, I bumped into one of Olivia’s friends, who told me her parents were livid, not because I’d broken their daughter’s heart, but because their financial plan had crumbled. That was all the confirmation I needed.
Olivia texted me a few times, saying I was throwing away something amazing. But I knew better. Love shouldn’t feel like a contract.
A man looking at his phone | Source: Midjourney
Months passed, and I slowly started rebuilding my life. I joined a local hiking group, reconnected with old friends, and focused on myself. I learned that love isn’t just about how someone makes you feel, it’s about how they support you, challenge you, and grow with you.
Looking back, I realized that walking away was the best decision I ever made. Sometimes, the “perfect” person turns out to be perfect for all the wrong reasons.
And I’m okay with that.
A happy man | Source: Midjourney
If that story had you going, then you’d love this one about a man’s fiancée who thought everything was perfect in their relationship until they went on holiday with his children. He suddenly abandoned the trio at the vacation hotel, leaving his fiancée to think the worst.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
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