3 HOURS Of Reddit Stories To Fall Asleep To | Reddit Stories Compilation AITA - Best Reddit Stories
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[{'start': '0.160', 'end': '5.680', 'text': 'mom called my baby ugly at her birthday party\xa0\nso I cut ties and erased her from every photo'}, {'start': '5.680', 'end': '11.360', 'text': "Now she's crying on Facebook playing the victim\xa0\nMy daughter Sarah's first birthday was meant to"}, {'start': '11.360', 'end': '16.560', 'text': 'be soft and forgettable in all the best ways\xa0\nlike a warm breeze in June or the fragrance of'}, {'start': '16.560', 'end': '20.800', 'text': 'cake that lingers on your fingers long\xa0\nafter the last mouthful has been eaten'}, {'start': '20.800', 'end': '25.840', 'text': 'It was a small gathering of family and neighbors\xa0\nin the backyard with mismatched folding chairs'}, {'start': '25.840', 'end': '32.800', 'text': 'pushed into the lawn Paper plates crumbling under\xa0\nstore-bought cupcakes and kids shrieking aimlessly'}, {'start': '32.800', 'end': '36.800', 'text': "The kind of day you wouldn't write a sonnet\xa0\nabout but you would post a few grainy photos"}, {'start': '36.800', 'end': '42.000', 'text': 'online with a message like "Can\'t believe\xa0\nshe\'s won already." and then move on I had'}, {'start': '42.000', 'end': '46.800', 'text': 'no intention of remembering it permanently\xa0\nat least not in the sense that I do now'}, {'start': '47.440', 'end': '52.480', 'text': 'Sarah was dressed in a pale yellow romper with a\xa0\nstitched bumblebee on the breast and one shoe went'}, {'start': '52.480', 'end': '57.760', 'text': 'missing within the first 20 minutes My husband\xa0\nRick stood beside me awkwardly holding her as'}, {'start': '57.760', 'end': '64.800', 'text': 'we sang happy birthday too slowly too loudly My\xa0\nsister Donna cracked a joke about our tonedeaf'}, {'start': '64.800', 'end': '70.720', 'text': "family and everyone laughed a little too loudly\xa0\nsince that's what we do We overcompensated The air"}, {'start': '70.720', 'end': '76.240', 'text': 'smelt of plastic forks citroronella candles and\xa0\ncharred hamburgers It should have been a great day'}, {'start': '76.880', 'end': '82.800', 'text': 'Then my mother arrived late as usual with a\xa0\ngift too enormous for the occasion wrapped in'}, {'start': '82.800', 'end': '88.160', 'text': 'shiny gold paper as if we were celebrating a\xa0\nroyal coronation rather than a baby smearing'}, {'start': '88.160', 'end': '94.000', 'text': 'icing into her own eye socket Elellaner never knew\xa0\nhow to read a room All she knew was how to walk'}, {'start': '94.000', 'end': '99.280', 'text': "in and adjust the temperature She kissed Sarah's\xa0\nhead without looking at her then turned to face"}, {'start': '99.280', 'end': '105.760', 'text': 'me smiling with her lips but not her eyes You look\xa0\ntired," she murmured "Just loud enough for Donna'}, {'start': '105.760', 'end': '111.920', 'text': 'to notice." "Still carrying that baby weight huh?"\xa0\nI laughed quickly and instinctively because I\'d'}, {'start': '111.920', 'end': '117.360', 'text': 'spent my entire life trying not to react when she\xa0\ncut Rick tried to divert her attention by asking'}, {'start': '117.360', 'end': '123.040', 'text': 'if she wanted a burger or something to drink but\xa0\nshe waved him away like a fly She seemed overly'}, {'start': '123.040', 'end': '128.880', 'text': 'focused on surveying the party as if she were\xa0\ninspecting a battlefield The incident occurred'}, {'start': '128.880', 'end': '134.240', 'text': 'as we were attempting to convince Sarah to blow\xa0\nout her single candle Everyone was crowded around'}, {'start': '134.240', 'end': '141.600', 'text': 'the small table phones out and voices mingling\xa0\nwith figned eagerness I leaned in close smiling'}, {'start': '141.600', 'end': '147.600', 'text': "and braced Sarra's small fingers as she reached\xa0\nfor the flame Then my mother leaned down her lips"}, {'start': '147.600', 'end': '154.240', 'text': 'almost next to my ear and said "She\'s going to\xa0\ngrow up ugly like you." I did not turn to look at'}, {'start': '154.240', 'end': '161.680', 'text': "her I did not even blink I literally froze there\xa0\nmid smile one hand on my daughter's small wrist"}, {'start': '161.680', 'end': '167.440', 'text': 'the other gripping my phone as if it were about\xa0\nto burst The candle flickered Sarah produced a'}, {'start': '167.440', 'end': '175.040', 'text': 'sneeze-like sound and the flame went out Everyone\xa0\napplauded The moment has passed but I did not'}, {'start': '175.040', 'end': '179.920', 'text': 'Later that night after Sarah had fallen asleep and\xa0\nthe last of the icing had been scraped from the'}, {'start': '179.920', 'end': '185.840', 'text': "terrace I sat on the couch browsing through images\xa0\nas if looking for something specific I didn't know"}, {'start': '185.840', 'end': '193.040', 'text': 'what Not at first Then I found it It was fuzzy\xa0\nand overexposed My face was slightly tilted my'}, {'start': '193.040', 'end': '198.320', 'text': "mouth in that strange half smile you get when\xa0\nyou're going to laugh but something feels off My"}, {'start': '198.320', 'end': '204.000', 'text': 'mother was in the corner of the shot just visible\xa0\nbehind my shoulder Her face was near to mine lips'}, {'start': '204.000', 'end': '210.160', 'text': 'curved like a hook and eyes focused She resembled\xa0\na different woman Nobody else in the shot seems'}, {'start': '210.160', 'end': '217.680', 'text': 'to notice her They were all concentrating on Sarah\xa0\nbut I saw it I saw her I sat there staring at the'}, {'start': '217.680', 'end': '223.680', 'text': 'photo for too long Rick entered from the kitchen\xa0\ndrying his hands with a towel Looking through the'}, {'start': '223.680', 'end': '230.720', 'text': 'shots he inquired "Yeah," I answered without\xa0\nmoving "That one\'s cute," he added referring'}, {'start': '230.720', 'end': '236.400', 'text': 'to a photo of Sarah with frosting on her hair But\xa0\nI did not show him the second one I did not say'}, {'start': '236.400', 'end': '243.760', 'text': 'anything I merely quietly saved it in a folder\xa0\nlabeled evidence all uppercase The issue about'}, {'start': '243.760', 'end': '248.960', 'text': 'mothers like mine is that they make you wonder\xa0\nwhether your memories are your own or hers She had'}, {'start': '248.960', 'end': '255.040', 'text': "a way of twisting things So I wasn't sure if I was\xa0\noverreacting or simply under healing But this time"}, {'start': '255.040', 'end': '261.360', 'text': 'I had proof I had a snapshot of the exact moment\xa0\nmy brain said enough That was the first picture I'}, {'start': '261.360', 'end': '267.520', 'text': 'removed her from I opened my editing app the same\xa0\none youngsters use to smooth their skin and whiten'}, {'start': '267.520', 'end': '273.920', 'text': 'their teeth and I started tiny I cropped her\xa0\nout I removed her shadow Then I went on to group'}, {'start': '273.920', 'end': '279.360', 'text': 'photography specifically backyard images The one\xa0\nwhere she is seated near the grill The one where'}, {'start': '279.360', 'end': '286.320', 'text': "she's holding Sarah but not truly holding her Arms\xa0\nstiff as if the infant was made of knives Delete"}, {'start': '286.320', 'end': '292.160', 'text': 'Crop Overcoat with paint It became addictive\xa0\nlike cleansing a wound you were unaware was'}, {'start': '292.160', 'end': '298.560', 'text': "still bleeding The following day I printed 10 of\xa0\nmy best photos and displayed them in Sarah's room"}, {'start': '298.560', 'end': '305.600', 'text': 'every single one of them Beautiful bright cheerful\xa0\nand devoid of Ellaner Donna messaged me a few days'}, {'start': '305.600', 'end': '312.000', 'text': 'later "Hey where\'s the picture of mom holding\xa0\nSarah?" "The one from the cake didn\'t come out,"'}, {'start': '312.000', 'end': '317.680', 'text': 'I replied which was technically correct That\xa0\nnight I had a dream about a family portrait'}, {'start': '317.680', 'end': '322.720', 'text': 'but whenever I tried to smile my mother would\xa0\nlean in and mutter something causing my face to'}, {'start': '322.720', 'end': '329.040', 'text': 'crumble like wet paper I awoke to a scorching\xa0\ndetermination in my chest I was not going to'}, {'start': '329.040', 'end': '335.200', 'text': 'let Sarah grow up hearing the same poison I had I\xa0\nwas not going to wait for the next party photo or'}, {'start': '335.200', 'end': '340.320', 'text': "whispered slur masquerading as truth I wasn't\xa0\ngoing to let my mother write herself into my"}, {'start': '340.320', 'end': '345.680', 'text': "daughter's story the way she did mine with a harsh\xa0\ntongue and a crooked smile And if she didn't want"}, {'start': '345.680', 'end': '351.920', 'text': 'to love Sarah properly she would not love her at\xa0\nall I took out my phone and began looking through'}, {'start': '351.920', 'end': '358.560', 'text': 'every album memory and location my mother had ever\xa0\ntouched in digital form and I started erasing her'}, {'start': '358.560', 'end': '365.200', 'text': "image by picture word by word memory by memory\xa0\nbecause revenge doesn't always have to be overt"}, {'start': '365.200', 'end': '370.800', 'text': "Sometimes it is just a quiet delete That's just\xa0\nwhere I started There is a distinction between"}, {'start': '370.800', 'end': '376.000', 'text': "forgetting someone and determining they do not\xa0\ndeserve to be remembered And I didn't truly"}, {'start': '376.000', 'end': '380.720', 'text': "comprehend it until I was standing in my laundry\xa0\nroom folding a pair of baby socks that didn't"}, {'start': '380.720', 'end': '386.080', 'text': 'even match and remembered how my mother used to\xa0\ncall me thick around the middle when I was 12'}, {'start': '386.800', 'end': '391.840', 'text': 'Not with malice at least not in the way most\xa0\npeople could see but with a tiny tilt of her'}, {'start': '391.840', 'end': '398.320', 'text': 'voice as if she was diagnosing a problem that she\xa0\nbelieved would only worsen And she was not wrong'}, {'start': '398.320', 'end': '406.560', 'text': 'It did Not my weight but how I carried myself By\xa0\nthe age of 16 she had upgraded the insult Plain'}, {'start': '406.560', 'end': '412.640', 'text': "she'd reply sometimes in passing sometimes in the\xa0\nmiddle of a conversation as if she was doing me a"}, {'start': '412.640', 'end': '418.000', 'text': 'favor by saying it out loud before anybody else\xa0\ncould I recall brushing my hair the night before'}, {'start': '418.000', 'end': '423.200', 'text': 'prom holding the curling iron too long on one\xa0\nstrand till it sizzled and hearing her through'}, {'start': '423.200', 'end': '430.160', 'text': 'the cracked door exclaim "She\'s just forgettable\xa0\nMaybe it\'s the eyes." As if I weren\'t right there'}, {'start': '430.160', 'end': '436.400', 'text': "As if I weren't attempting to obliterate myself\xa0\nquicker than she could At 22 I told her I wanted"}, {'start': '436.400', 'end': '443.600', 'text': 'to relocate across the nation start a new and\xa0\npossibly go to graduate school She did not flinch'}, {'start': '443.600', 'end': '449.280', 'text': 'She simply muttered You were probably a mistake\xa0\nanyway as if she were reading it from a grocery'}, {'start': '449.280', 'end': '455.920', 'text': 'list I did not cry I just nodded Because what\xa0\nelse can you do when someone tells you the truth'}, {'start': '455.920', 'end': '462.640', 'text': 'like that You either let it soak into your bones\xa0\nor spit it out before it sticks I let it settle'}, {'start': '462.640', 'end': '469.360', 'text': 'for years But now I have Sarah And something about\xa0\nbecoming a mother makes you want to either shield'}, {'start': '469.360', 'end': '475.600', 'text': 'your child from the world or expose her to it\xa0\nPeace by agonizing peace I picked protection since'}, {'start': '475.600', 'end': '481.200', 'text': "I was aware of how sharp the initial cut could be\xa0\nAnd I'd rather she was naive than quietly bleeding"}, {'start': '481.200', 'end': '488.160', 'text': 'before she learned to speak So I dug deeper than\xa0\nphotos I dug up the old flash drives cloud backups'}, {'start': '488.160', 'end': '494.320', 'text': "and printed albums buried in drawers I hadn't\xa0\ntouched in years Elellanar my mother was posing"}, {'start': '494.320', 'end': '500.240', 'text': 'next to me at my wedding with a tight-lipped smirk\xa0\nas if she were watching a slow motion calamity I'}, {'start': '500.240', 'end': '505.920', 'text': 'opened the image in an editor and meticulously\xa0\npainted her out It took 10 minutes 10 minutes'}, {'start': '505.920', 'end': '511.280', 'text': 'to remove decades of her standing too near to me\xa0\nclutching me as if she were allergic to warmth'}, {'start': '511.280', 'end': '517.600', 'text': 'Gone I glanced at the shot thereafter The space\xa0\nshe had occupied now filled with light and air It'}, {'start': '517.600', 'end': '524.880', 'text': 'seemed better without her Then I moved on to the\xa0\nChristmas of three years ago She informed me that'}, {'start': '524.880', 'end': '530.960', 'text': "if I didn't cut back on the salt Sarah would most\xa0\nlikely be born crosseyed She said it with a giggle"}, {'start': '530.960', 'end': '536.800', 'text': 'fork halfway in her mouth I nodded too tired to\xa0\nfight She was no longer in the background of the'}, {'start': '536.800', 'end': '541.920', 'text': "photograph replaced by the glow of the tree and\xa0\nDonna's toddler throwing a plastic ornament at the"}, {'start': '541.920', 'end': '548.800', 'text': 'cat I erased her from a total of 24 images which\xa0\nis unusual given that we only had 13 visitors at'}, {'start': '548.800', 'end': '554.560', 'text': 'the party but she managed to insert herself into\xa0\nevery situation as if she was certain that no'}, {'start': '554.560', 'end': '560.720', 'text': 'moment went by without her involvement Donna was\xa0\nthe first to notice She texted me 2 days after'}, {'start': '560.720', 'end': '567.680', 'text': "I published the revised album online Where's mom\xa0\nin these pics Did she leave early I composed and"}, {'start': '567.680', 'end': '573.840', 'text': 'deleted my response three times before I got to\xa0\nShe must have stepped out when those were taken'}, {'start': '573.840', 'end': '580.640', 'text': "Technically this is not a lie Spiritually perhaps\xa0\nRick took notice next He didn't say anything right"}, {'start': '580.640', 'end': '585.360', 'text': "immediately but gave me the slow deliberate look\xa0\nhe saves for when he's deciding whether to hug"}, {'start': '585.360', 'end': '591.280', 'text': 'me or propose therapy Finally during supper\xa0\nhe asked "Are you sure this is the road you'}, {'start': '591.280', 'end': '598.320', 'text': 'want to go down?" I gazed at Sarah cheeks full of\xa0\nmashed peas face plastered with love and innocence'}, {'start': '598.320', 'end': '606.640', 'text': 'and said "I\'m already halfway there What I did\xa0\nnot mention was this If I had a time machine I'}, {'start': '606.640', 'end': '612.240', 'text': 'would not go back and stop myself from doing this\xa0\nI go back even further and eliminate Eleanor from'}, {'start': '612.240', 'end': '617.680', 'text': 'every birthday every dance recital and every time\xa0\nI stood in front of a mirror and despised what I'}, {'start': '617.680', 'end': '623.920', 'text': 'saw because she had given me the means to express\xa0\nthat hatred Late that night I was going through'}, {'start': '623.920', 'end': '630.960', 'text': 'my phone in the dark when I noticed the message\xa0\nnotification flash up One line no greetings Why am'}, {'start': '630.960', 'end': '636.800', 'text': "I blocked from your daughter's baby album I stared\xa0\nat it for so long that the screen darkened I did"}, {'start': '636.800', 'end': '644.640', 'text': "not respond I did not need to She understood why\xa0\nShe simply didn't want to say it And to be honest"}, {'start': '644.640', 'end': '650.160', 'text': "part of me was waiting to see whether she'd send\xa0\nanother message call or even show up again as if"}, {'start': '650.160', 'end': '655.920', 'text': "nothing had happened Pretending that I was the\xa0\ndramatic one like I'd always misunderstood her"}, {'start': '655.920', 'end': '661.520', 'text': 'Like her comments were never daggers but rather\xa0\ninnocent small remarks But she did not follow'}, {'start': '661.520', 'end': '667.920', 'text': "up She did not push because she must have known\xa0\ndeep down in her cruel little chest that I wasn't"}, {'start': '667.920', 'end': '674.480', 'text': 'flinching this time This time I was chopping and\xa0\nthis time she was not returning There is a type'}, {'start': '674.480', 'end': '679.760', 'text': 'of vengeance that does not include broken glass\xa0\nor shouted voices and does not result in bruises'}, {'start': '679.760', 'end': '686.480', 'text': 'shredded garments or tire marks in a driveway\xa0\nIt comes on slowly like poison in a cup of tea'}, {'start': '686.480', 'end': '692.000', 'text': 'something that tastes nearly good before making\xa0\nyou sick And when done correctly no one can track'}, {'start': '692.000', 'end': '697.840', 'text': "it back to you That's how I began dealing with my\xa0\nmother as if she were a silent infection that I"}, {'start': '697.840', 'end': '704.240', 'text': "was finally addressing after years of pretending\xa0\nI wasn't sick Yes it started with the photographs"}, {'start': '704.240', 'end': '710.080', 'text': 'But it did not end there Removing her face\xa0\nfrom images was simply the beginning Underneath'}, {'start': '710.080', 'end': '716.880', 'text': "that surface the rot permeated everything she\xa0\ntouched And I wasn't finished pulling it out yet"}, {'start': '716.880', 'end': '722.000', 'text': 'First I excluded her from the family calendar\xa0\nwhich Rick and I used to keep track of birthdays'}, {'start': '722.000', 'end': '728.400', 'text': 'appointments preschool visits medical checkups\xa0\nand holidays I removed her email address from'}, {'start': '728.400', 'end': '734.320', 'text': 'the invitation list She deleted all of the events\xa0\nshe had previously been invited to She wiped away'}, {'start': '734.320', 'end': '739.440', 'text': "the repeated reminders of her presence Then I\xa0\naltered the location of Sarah's daycare picnic"}, {'start': '739.440', 'end': '744.480', 'text': 'and only shared the new information to people\xa0\nI trusted not to share it When Donna inquired'}, {'start': '744.480', 'end': '750.240', 'text': 'as to why the address had changed I explained that\xa0\nthey were experiencing plumbing troubles That was'}, {'start': '750.240', 'end': '756.240', 'text': 'enough to please her Nobody doubts logistics when\xa0\nit comes to infants Everyone assumes that the mess'}, {'start': '756.240', 'end': '761.680', 'text': 'belongs to someone else Rick was watching me out\xa0\nof the corner of his eye much like a man watches'}, {'start': '761.680', 'end': '766.880', 'text': "a lady who has started carrying a knife I'm not\xa0\nsure whether she's defending herself or preparing"}, {'start': '766.880', 'end': '772.560', 'text': 'something worse One night while Sarah was sleeping\xa0\nand I was lying on the couch retouching another'}, {'start': '772.560', 'end': '780.160', 'text': 'old shot he asked me "Are you going to tell her?"\xa0\nI did not look up from my screen "Tell who what?"'}, {'start': '780.160', 'end': '785.600', 'text': 'He gave me the worn look I\'d come to expect The\xa0\none that screamed "Don\'t act dumb Jenna Not with'}, {'start': '785.600', 'end': '791.600', 'text': 'me." So I closed my laptop and looked into his\xa0\neyes Are you going to tell your mother why you\'re'}, {'start': '791.600', 'end': '797.360', 'text': 'cutting her out of everything I did not respond\xa0\nright away because there was too much to say and'}, {'start': '797.360', 'end': '803.920', 'text': "none of it came across the way I needed it to So\xa0\nI simply shook my head She doesn't deserve closure"}, {'start': '803.920', 'end': '809.760', 'text': 'I finally stated She never gave me any And that\xa0\nwas the most honest sentence I had spoken aloud'}, {'start': '809.760', 'end': '815.360', 'text': "in months I didn't receive any closure when she\xa0\ntold me I was prettier before my teeth came in"}, {'start': '815.360', 'end': '820.960', 'text': 'I was 10 years old standing in our hallway in\xa0\na new pink dress beaming because I finally had'}, {'start': '820.960', 'end': '826.720', 'text': 'sleeves that weren\'t stretched out handme-downs\xa0\nShe glanced at me and said "You used to be cute'}, {'start': '826.720', 'end': '832.640', 'text': 'before those teeth." She treated me as if I were\xa0\nsome wrecked adult she no longer wanted I didn\'t'}, {'start': '832.640', 'end': '837.840', 'text': 'find closure when she mocked me for crying at my\xa0\nown graduation or told me that no man would ever'}, {'start': '837.840', 'end': '842.960', 'text': "marry someone so emotional And I didn't receive\xa0\nany closure when she claimed Sarah would grow up"}, {'start': '842.960', 'end': '848.800', 'text': "to be ugly like me So number she wasn't receiving\xa0\ncourteous phone calls She wasn't receiving"}, {'start': '848.800', 'end': '853.600', 'text': 'a formal announcement She would figure it out\xa0\nin the same way the rest of the world does via'}, {'start': '853.600', 'end': '860.960', 'text': 'absence Absence however carries its own weight It\xa0\nfills the room like smoke Slow and undetectable at'}, {'start': '860.960', 'end': '866.560', 'text': "first then stifling when you realize you've been\xa0\nwaiting too long to move She must have felt it too"}, {'start': '866.560', 'end': '872.000', 'text': 'because less than a week after I kicked her out\xa0\nof the picnic she showed up on my doorstep It was'}, {'start': '872.000', 'end': '877.360', 'text': 'late Thursday afternoon The light was softening\xa0\nand the fragrance of sunwarmed mulch rose from'}, {'start': '877.360', 'end': '882.400', 'text': "the flower beds I hadn't touched since spring\xa0\nSarah was playing with a bucket of toy blocks"}, {'start': '882.400', 'end': '887.760', 'text': 'on the floor humming to herself in that delightful\xa0\nnonsense language that toddlers use before words'}, {'start': '887.760', 'end': '895.040', 'text': 'make sense Then the doorbell rang I recognized who\xa0\nit was before I opened it Elellaner stood there'}, {'start': '895.040', 'end': '899.680', 'text': 'clutching a gift bag that appeared to have come\xa0\nfrom an extravagant downtown boutique complete'}, {'start': '899.680', 'end': '904.880', 'text': 'with glittering handles and ribbons instead of\xa0\nwrapping paper She wore her frozen half smile'}, {'start': '904.880', 'end': '909.920', 'text': "which she employed when she wanted to appear\xa0\nwarm but didn't have the energy for And I will"}, {'start': '909.920', 'end': '916.880', 'text': 'say this for her She did not begin with a question\xa0\nan apology or even a joke She simply said "Thought'}, {'start': '916.880', 'end': '923.760', 'text': 'I\'d drop by for Lily." I remained in the doorway\xa0\nand did not move aside I wasn\'t going to make it'}, {'start': '923.760', 'end': '931.280', 'text': 'simple Inside Sarah stopped humming She looked\xa0\nup then toward the door then back down as if'}, {'start': '931.280', 'end': '937.040', 'text': "something in her little head wasn't quite right\xa0\nEventually I let Eleanor in more out of morbid"}, {'start': '937.040', 'end': '942.880', 'text': 'curiosity than grace She tried to approach Sarah\xa0\ncarefully crouched next to her and holding out the'}, {'start': '942.880', 'end': '948.480', 'text': "bag like a wicked fairy godmother dispensing\xa0\ncurses disguised as candy But Sarah didn't"}, {'start': '948.480', 'end': '954.400', 'text': 'approach her She did not even smile She glanced at\xa0\nEleanor for a few long seconds before returning to'}, {'start': '954.400', 'end': '960.400', 'text': "her blocks and picking up the green one As if the\xa0\nmoment had passed I saw my mother's face flicker"}, {'start': '960.400', 'end': '966.160', 'text': 'in perplexity the corners of her lips sagging just\xa0\nslightly not enough for most people to notice but'}, {'start': '966.160', 'end': '972.320', 'text': 'I recognized every crease in her face every breach\xa0\nin her armor She waited for Sarah to get closer'}, {'start': '972.320', 'end': '978.480', 'text': 'for that innate infantile need to reach out to\xa0\na familiar adult but it never arrived In that'}, {'start': '978.480', 'end': '984.320', 'text': 'instant something sharp and decisive clicked into\xa0\nplace because even babies recognize when love is'}, {'start': '984.320', 'end': '989.840', 'text': 'not genuine I took the gift bag from her hands\xa0\nwithout saying anything placed it on the table'}, {'start': '989.840', 'end': '996.000', 'text': "without peeking inside and said the only thing\xa0\nthat needed to be spoken I think it's time you"}, {'start': '996.000', 'end': '1003.760', 'text': 'left She did not argue She did not yell She only\xa0\nnodded once and turned around her heels clicking'}, {'start': '1003.760', 'end': '1007.680', 'text': 'against the hardwood as she walked out of the\xa0\nhouse as if she had somewhere more important to'}, {'start': '1007.680', 'end': '1014.960', 'text': "do However she didn't Not anymore Because I wasn't\xa0\ngoing to burn down the house with her inside"}, {'start': '1014.960', 'end': '1020.800', 'text': 'I was only making sure she never got a key again I\xa0\nalways assumed that if anyone was going to support'}, {'start': '1020.800', 'end': '1028.480', 'text': 'me really step up and say "Yeah she did that\xa0\nI saw it too She said those things." It would'}, {'start': '1028.480', 'end': '1035.760', 'text': 'be my sister Donna was the one who experienced it\xa0\nbeside me Grew up in the same tight house with the'}, {'start': '1035.760', 'end': '1041.280', 'text': 'same oppressive restrictions and chilly silences\xa0\nthat lasted longer than they should have She was'}, {'start': '1041.280', 'end': '1045.680', 'text': "present when our mother called me dramatic for\xa0\ncrying during dad's burial and then brought her"}, {'start': '1045.680', 'end': '1051.200', 'text': 'into the kitchen to whisper "Thank God it wasn\'t\xa0\nyou sweetheart I couldn\'t handle that." She was'}, {'start': '1051.200', 'end': '1056.160', 'text': "there when Eleanor would criticize my appearance\xa0\nbefore turning to Donna with a smile so warm you'd"}, {'start': '1056.160', 'end': '1061.760', 'text': "swear it came from someone else's mouth We used to\xa0\nlaugh about it in our 20s laying on the floor of"}, {'start': '1061.760', 'end': '1067.280', 'text': 'my flat with cheap wine and takeaway calling her\xa0\njackal and mom when we were courageous enough to'}, {'start': '1067.280', 'end': '1073.760', 'text': 'do so But we never dug deeper We never asked why\xa0\nDonna received the gold while I got the gravel'}, {'start': '1073.760', 'end': '1081.200', 'text': 'So when she eventually texted "Can we talk?" I\xa0\nknew what was coming The guilt the perplexity'}, {'start': '1081.200', 'end': '1086.320', 'text': "Perhaps you're taking things a little too far\xa0\nEven though I had prepared for it I still felt"}, {'start': '1086.320', 'end': '1092.080', 'text': 'a knot in my gut The same one I used to get when I\xa0\nwas a kid And Eleanor called my name from another'}, {'start': '1092.080', 'end': '1098.240', 'text': "room with that tone that made you question if\xa0\nyou'd done anything wrong even though you hadn't"}, {'start': '1098.240', 'end': '1103.360', 'text': 'Donna arrived with coffee in her hand and a tense\xa0\nexpression on her face as if she was trying not to'}, {'start': '1103.360', 'end': '1109.040', 'text': "frown but couldn't quite achieve it She didn't\xa0\nsit down straight away instead hovering around"}, {'start': '1109.040', 'end': '1114.320', 'text': "the kitchen counter as if she wasn't sure she\xa0\nwanted to remain long I waited for her to speak"}, {'start': '1114.320', 'end': '1120.160', 'text': "first since I understood how things worked She\xa0\nneeded to feel in charge of the story You've been"}, {'start': '1120.160', 'end': '1126.000', 'text': 'editing her out of everything," she finally said\xa0\nher words cautious and slow as if she hoped if she'}, {'start': '1126.000', 'end': '1131.440', 'text': "softened them enough I wouldn't realize they were\xa0\nloaded with judgment I nodded and leaned against"}, {'start': '1131.440', 'end': '1139.680', 'text': 'the wall "Yeah I have." She hesitated and added\xa0\n"Isn\'t that a bit much?" That was when I decided'}, {'start': '1139.680', 'end': '1145.920', 'text': 'to show her the photograph I kept it printed it\xa0\ndespite my promise to myself that I was done with'}, {'start': '1145.920', 'end': '1153.360', 'text': 'Elellanar But this one was not for her It was for\xa0\nproof I gave it to Donna across the table It was'}, {'start': '1153.360', 'end': '1158.880', 'text': "the identical picture from Sarah's birthday with\xa0\neveryone else clapping and celebrating and Eleanor"}, {'start': '1158.880', 'end': '1164.960', 'text': 'leaning into my ear her mouth contorted as if she\xa0\nwere spitting out a bitter truth She said Sarah'}, {'start': '1164.960', 'end': '1171.520', 'text': 'would grow up ugly I told Donna directly like me\xa0\nDonna stared down at the photograph and remained'}, {'start': '1171.520', 'end': '1178.160', 'text': 'silent for a long time I saw her eyes skimm the\xa0\nedges the faces and the frozen moment of me in'}, {'start': '1178.160', 'end': '1187.680', 'text': 'mid smile My body stiffening I waited for a denial\xa0\nThe deflection You must have misheard her but it'}, {'start': '1187.680', 'end': '1195.200', 'text': "didn't arrive Not right away Instead she spoke\xa0\nalmost too quietly I thought you looked happy"}, {'start': '1195.200', 'end': '1204.160', 'text': "in this one I shook my head slowly exhausted Do\xa0\nyou really think I was She didn't respond That"}, {'start': '1204.160', 'end': '1210.160', 'text': 'quiet broke something in her Not totally Not\xa0\nenough to rebuild trust but enough to consider'}, {'start': '1210.160', 'end': '1215.600', 'text': "the possibility that I wasn't making it up That\xa0\nmaybe all those years I was accused of being the"}, {'start': '1215.600', 'end': '1221.600', 'text': 'sensitive one the delicate one the one with too\xa0\nmuch emotion and too little humor Maybe I was'}, {'start': '1221.600', 'end': '1227.920', 'text': 'simply the one telling the truth too soon for\xa0\nanyone to believe it Then the bomb dropped That'}, {'start': '1227.920', 'end': '1234.400', 'text': 'night Eleanor made a Facebook post This is not\xa0\na private message This is not a telephone call'}, {'start': '1234.400', 'end': '1240.880', 'text': 'a public status that all her friends neighbors\xa0\nelderly church women past co-workers and barely'}, {'start': '1240.880', 'end': '1246.240', 'text': 'active high school acquaintances could see It\xa0\nreads "My daughter has poisoned my relationship'}, {'start': '1246.240', 'end': '1252.400', 'text': "with my granddaughter Pray for me during this\xa0\npainful time Some people don't know what family"}, {'start': '1252.400', 'end': '1258.880', 'text': 'means until it\'s too late." It was shared 17\xa0\ntimes inside the first hour People began to leave'}, {'start': '1258.880', 'end': '1264.480', 'text': 'comments sending her hugs and prayers as well as\xa0\nanecdotes about their own children growing cold'}, {'start': '1264.480', 'end': '1272.240', 'text': 'or entitled and rude Some of them even mentioned\xa0\nforgiveness A woman wrote "You\'re still her mother'}, {'start': '1272.240', 'end': '1277.280', 'text': 'Don\'t give up on her yet." I read it all in\xa0\nstartled silence sitting in my kitchen with'}, {'start': '1277.280', 'end': '1282.720', 'text': 'the lights turned out and the light from my phone\xa0\nsearing into my eyes My hands shook with a mixture'}, {'start': '1282.720', 'end': '1289.040', 'text': "of wrath embarrassment and something I couldn't\xa0\nquite name Perhaps grief for the tiny part of me"}, {'start': '1289.040', 'end': '1295.360', 'text': 'that still wish she\'d someday say "I was wrong\xa0\nYou didn\'t deserve that." But she never would'}, {'start': '1295.360', 'end': '1301.760', 'text': 'Instead she went nuclear I considered leaving\xa0\nthe post unanswered allowing her to sink in'}, {'start': '1301.760', 'end': '1307.200', 'text': 'her own martyrdom as I remained silent But then I\xa0\nrealized that quiet was what had kept me shackled'}, {'start': '1307.200', 'end': '1312.800', 'text': 'for so damn long She felt most comfortable\xa0\nspeaking in silence saying nothing in response'}, {'start': '1312.800', 'end': '1319.760', 'text': 'to nasty comments When memory was uncomfortable\xa0\nwe pretended it did not exist Expecting me to take'}, {'start': '1319.760', 'end': '1327.040', 'text': 'every insult like communion So I broke the silence\xa0\nwith a single comment only one You should pray for'}, {'start': '1327.040', 'end': '1333.680', 'text': "the woman in that photo I commented on her page\xa0\nShe doesn't exist anymore By morning there had"}, {'start': '1333.680', 'end': '1340.160', 'text': 'been over 200 comments Some of them supported her\xa0\nsome of them backed me but the ones that struck'}, {'start': '1340.160', 'end': '1346.560', 'text': 'the deepest were asking what really happened\xa0\nFor once she did not have control over the tale'}, {'start': '1346.560', 'end': '1352.880', 'text': 'Something shifted in that place of uncertainty in\xa0\nthe vacuum of well-built lies because folks may'}, {'start': '1352.880', 'end': '1357.680', 'text': 'not have needed to know everything Perhaps it\xa0\nwas enough that she was no longer the only one'}, {'start': '1357.680', 'end': '1364.720', 'text': 'speaking Following the final confrontation there\xa0\nis an unusual silence When the ranting stops the'}, {'start': '1364.720', 'end': '1370.800', 'text': 'social media dust settles and the door you close\xa0\nbehind someone no longer rattles Not because they'}, {'start': '1370.800', 'end': '1376.720', 'text': 'stopped pushing but because they eventually gave\xa0\nup That was the solitude I awoke to on Thursday'}, {'start': '1376.720', 'end': '1382.240', 'text': 'morning A cup of coffee in one hand Sarah crawled\xa0\nover the living room carpeting in her footy'}, {'start': '1382.240', 'end': '1387.280', 'text': 'pajamas her mouth eating something invisible and\xa0\nher little fingers smacking against blocks that'}, {'start': '1387.280', 'end': '1394.320', 'text': 'no longer lit up like they once did The world\xa0\nseemed quieter Not quite peaceful but hollowed'}, {'start': '1394.320', 'end': '1400.080', 'text': "down in a way I'd never felt before It was the\xa0\nkind of silence you get after gutting a house"}, {'start': '1400.080', 'end': '1405.360', 'text': "and the floors still echoed from what once lived\xa0\nthere I'd been thinking about the baby book for"}, {'start': '1405.360', 'end': '1410.960', 'text': 'months Ever since Elellanar showed up with that\xa0\npresent bag and Sarah shied away as if her body'}, {'start': '1410.960', 'end': '1416.640', 'text': 'knew better than to let the poison in Something\xa0\nclicked for me that day Something essential and'}, {'start': '1416.640', 'end': '1421.760', 'text': "definitive It wasn't simply about eliminating\xa0\nmy mother from the present It was about denying"}, {'start': '1421.760', 'end': '1427.840', 'text': "her access to the future ensuring that her shadow\xa0\nnever crossed the barrier of Sarah's recollection"}, {'start': '1427.840', 'end': '1433.600', 'text': 'Because youngsters remember more than we realize\xa0\nThey recall the tone of voices the stiffness in'}, {'start': '1433.600', 'end': '1441.040', 'text': "their mother's jaw and how hands clench when the\xa0\nphone rings I remembered I recalled everything And"}, {'start': '1441.040', 'end': '1446.720', 'text': "I wasn't about to let Sarah inherit that history\xa0\nof harm So I started writing it by hand which felt"}, {'start': '1446.720', 'end': '1453.040', 'text': 'more traditional and spiritual than typing I made\xa0\nmy own baby book with pastel pages and gendered'}, {'start': '1453.040', 'end': '1460.000', 'text': "questions Brown leather thick paper stitched\xa0\nbinding I composed the narrative of Sarah's"}, {'start': '1460.000', 'end': '1466.000', 'text': 'birth Her fingers curled around my thumb as if she\xa0\nknew who I was It was the first time she laughed'}, {'start': '1466.000', 'end': '1472.000', 'text': "at the dog's tail She preferred sweet potatoes\xa0\nover carrots I wrote about Rick installing her"}, {'start': '1472.000', 'end': '1476.320', 'text': 'cot in the middle of the night while muttering\xa0\nunder his breath and how we debated whether or'}, {'start': '1476.320', 'end': '1482.800', 'text': 'not to play white noise while she was sleeping But\xa0\nI did not write about Elellanar Not once not just'}, {'start': '1482.800', 'end': '1489.440', 'text': 'a footnote not as a background character not as a\xa0\nname scribbled beside guests or presents She was'}, {'start': '1489.440', 'end': '1496.240', 'text': 'a ghost and ghosts do not belong in infant books\xa0\nEach page represented a little insurrection Each'}, {'start': '1496.240', 'end': '1501.920', 'text': 'line of ink was a means of saying "You don\'t get\xa0\nto live here anymore." Rick observed me working'}, {'start': '1501.920', 'end': '1509.520', 'text': "on it in silence He didn't ask any questions Did\xa0\nnot make any ideas One night he came over took the"}, {'start': '1509.520', 'end': '1514.720', 'text': "finished book from my hands and delicately placed\xa0\nit on the shelf above Sarah's changing table as if"}, {'start': '1514.720', 'end': '1521.200', 'text': 'it were holy And perhaps it was The next morning\xa0\nSarah toddled over to that shelf pointing with one'}, {'start': '1521.200', 'end': '1527.760', 'text': 'chubby finger She glanced at me her eyes wide and\xa0\neager and spoke her first proper sentence Not one'}, {'start': '1527.760', 'end': '1537.120', 'text': 'word a sentence Nanagon I did not cry I did not\xa0\nflinch I simply smiled got down to her level and'}, {'start': '1537.120', 'end': '1545.840', 'text': 'said "Yeah baby she is." It was not unkind It was\xa0\nnot even bitter This was the truth The simplest'}, {'start': '1545.840', 'end': '1551.360', 'text': "kind The kind that doesn't require a story to back\xa0\nit up Because Eleanor had not just departed from"}, {'start': '1551.360', 'end': '1557.920', 'text': "our lives I had made sure she couldn't return\xa0\nLike a whisper as a twisted memory as a ghost"}, {'start': '1557.920', 'end': '1564.000', 'text': 'pretending to be family I did not kill my mother\xa0\nI simply removed the thought of her For a while'}, {'start': '1564.000', 'end': '1569.920', 'text': 'that was plenty The quiet gathered around us like\xa0\ndust on a windowsill Rick and I began sleeping'}, {'start': '1569.920', 'end': '1576.240', 'text': 'better Donna maintained her distance unsure\xa0\nwhether to embrace the silence or confront it'}, {'start': '1576.240', 'end': '1581.200', 'text': "I didn't push her in any manner Elellanar's\xa0\nabsence provided me more breathing room and"}, {'start': '1581.200', 'end': '1587.440', 'text': 'I had no desire to fill it with past remorse or\xa0\nhalf-reconciled relationships But 6 months later'}, {'start': '1587.440', 'end': '1594.000', 'text': "a letter arrived There's no return address There\xa0\nwas no postmark that I recognized The envelope"}, {'start': '1594.000', 'end': '1599.520', 'text': "only had my name on it written in handwriting I\xa0\nhadn't seen in years Not since mother used to sign"}, {'start': '1599.520', 'end': '1605.360', 'text': 'my permission slips with a long irritated scroll I\xa0\nconsidered burning it I even held it over the sink'}, {'start': '1605.360', 'end': '1610.320', 'text': 'for a bit attempting to determine whether it was\xa0\nsubstantial enough to hold more than paper But I'}, {'start': '1610.320', 'end': '1618.400', 'text': 'did open it There was a photograph inside Me at\xa0\n13 No makeup bad braces an oversized t-shirt and'}, {'start': '1618.400', 'end': '1625.360', 'text': 'stringy hair put into a ponytail I was smiling\xa0\nnot a contrived smile but a genuine embarrassed'}, {'start': '1625.360', 'end': '1631.600', 'text': 'hopeful one I had the impression that the person\xa0\nbehind the camera adored me On the back she had'}, {'start': '1631.600', 'end': '1637.760', 'text': "scribbled only one line You were never ugly I\xa0\njust didn't know how to love pretty things No"}, {'start': '1637.760', 'end': '1644.560', 'text': "apologies There's no explanation just one sentence\xa0\na confession laced with cowardice The truth is too"}, {'start': '1644.560', 'end': '1650.880', 'text': 'late to matter and too early to forgive I stared\xa0\nat the photo for a long time Not because I miss'}, {'start': '1650.880', 'end': '1656.400', 'text': 'her not because I thought she had changed but I\xa0\nwanted to remember the girl in the photo I wanted'}, {'start': '1656.400', 'end': '1662.000', 'text': 'to remember that despite everything I still\xa0\nthought I was worth capturing worth seeing I'}, {'start': '1662.000', 'end': '1668.480', 'text': 'did not write back I did not call I did not post\xa0\nan answer But I did not throw away the photograph'}, {'start': '1668.480', 'end': '1676.400', 'text': 'either I kept it Not for her for me to recall\xa0\nwhat I survived Thanks for watching and being'}, {'start': '1676.400', 'end': '1681.840', 'text': "part of the drama Don't forget to subscribe\xa0\nand hit the bell so you never miss a wild news"}, {'start': '1681.840', 'end': '1691.520', 'text': "story Dad said I didn't need help because I was\xa0\nstrong but gave my brother $625,000 until he lost"}, {'start': '1691.520', 'end': '1698.160', 'text': "it Now they're begging me to fix their mistakes\xa0\nI was forgotten as an elder sibling since my"}, {'start': '1698.160', 'end': '1703.520', 'text': "parents put their trust in my younger brother\xa0\nUh please stay until the end I'd love to hear"}, {'start': '1703.520', 'end': '1710.160', 'text': "your thoughts My name is Elio I am 30 years\xa0\nold and manage my own technology startup It's"}, {'start': '1710.160', 'end': '1715.760', 'text': 'not a big corporation but it allows me to live\xa0\ncomfortably and possess what I need I have two'}, {'start': '1715.760', 'end': '1722.000', 'text': "houses one that I live in and one that I rent out\xa0\nI'm not wealthy enough to spend recklessly yet I"}, {'start': '1722.000', 'end': '1728.800', 'text': 'make enough money to not be concerned Now there is\xa0\nHenry my younger brother in our home He has always'}, {'start': '1728.800', 'end': '1734.640', 'text': "been the center of attention He's intelligent has\xa0\na way with words and knows how to persuade others"}, {'start': '1734.640', 'end': '1740.800', 'text': "of his great ambitions But he's not practical\xa0\nHenry is constantly jumping from one huge idea"}, {'start': '1740.800', 'end': '1747.840', 'text': "to the next One day it's a tech business the next\xa0\na fine restaurant and finally a movie studio His"}, {'start': '1747.840', 'end': '1753.840', 'text': 'ambitions seem fantastic but he never completes\xa0\nthem He always finds someone or something to blame'}, {'start': '1753.840', 'end': '1760.560', 'text': 'such as a lack of funds or a refusal to invest in\xa0\nhis ideas Then one year ago I discovered something'}, {'start': '1760.560', 'end': '1765.760', 'text': 'that surprised me My parents had taken out a loan\xa0\non their house to give Henry a large sum of money'}, {'start': '1765.760', 'end': '1771.520', 'text': "to start another business venture That's when\xa0\nthings started to fall apart My parents are the"}, {'start': '1771.520', 'end': '1776.480', 'text': 'type of folks that feel that family should always\xa0\nsupport one another no matter what They are not'}, {'start': '1776.480', 'end': '1783.520', 'text': 'awful people but they make one major mistake They\xa0\nalways believe Henry no matter what My father is'}, {'start': '1783.520', 'end': '1788.800', 'text': "serious and silent He's always the one who makes\xa0\ndecisions around the house He's never really"}, {'start': '1788.800', 'end': '1794.720', 'text': "respected what I've built Perhaps because I didn't\xa0\nfollow the path he expected To him true success"}, {'start': '1794.720', 'end': '1800.960', 'text': 'entails something large and flashy not the modest\xa0\nsoftware business I founded with my own efforts My'}, {'start': '1800.960', 'end': '1806.240', 'text': 'mother is gentler and more sensitive Yet she\xa0\nallows her emotions to guide her thoughts To'}, {'start': '1806.240', 'end': '1812.080', 'text': "her Henry is the one who still requires assistance\xa0\nI'm the one who is already doing well and doesn't"}, {'start': '1812.080', 'end': '1819.360', 'text': "require assistance She always encourages me You're\xa0\nstrong You can manage on your own But Henry needs"}, {'start': '1819.360', 'end': '1825.680', 'text': "his family We don't have much money but we've\xa0\nalways been okay My father owned a modest business"}, {'start': '1825.680', 'end': '1831.760', 'text': 'while my mother worked as an accountant Their\xa0\njobs provided us with a solid life Furthermore'}, {'start': '1831.760', 'end': '1837.600', 'text': 'my grandfather left a large sum of money from wise\xa0\nproperty investments If handled wisely that money'}, {'start': '1837.600', 'end': '1842.640', 'text': "could have provided my parents with a lifetime\xa0\nof support When I was little I didn't believe"}, {'start': '1842.640', 'end': '1848.160', 'text': 'they picked favorites I assumed they loved both\xa0\nHenry and me equally We had a shared birthday'}, {'start': '1848.160', 'end': '1854.720', 'text': 'party If I got a toy he got one too We both got\xa0\nnew outfits during the holidays Everything seemed'}, {'start': '1854.720', 'end': '1861.840', 'text': 'equitable and fair But when Henry started school\xa0\nthings began to change Henry did really well He'}, {'start': '1861.840', 'end': '1867.920', 'text': 'received high marks and was liked by everyone The\xa0\nteachers appreciated him Other children liked him'}, {'start': '1867.920', 'end': '1872.240', 'text': 'My parents were so pleased with him that\xa0\nthey eventually forgot I was there as well'}, {'start': '1872.240', 'end': '1878.480', 'text': 'It manifested itself not in toys or meals but\xa0\nrather in larger events that shaped our futures'}, {'start': '1878.480', 'end': '1884.400', 'text': 'Henry wanted to learn French They paid for pricey\xa0\nclasses with no second thoughts He wanted to go'}, {'start': '1884.400', 'end': '1889.840', 'text': 'to a nice camp and they said yes He wanted to\xa0\nplay the piano so they bought one and paid for'}, {'start': '1889.840', 'end': '1896.800', 'text': 'a private teacher What about me I never received\xa0\nthat level of assistance By high school it was'}, {'start': '1896.800', 'end': '1902.320', 'text': 'evident Henry stated that he wanted to attend\xa0\na prestigious private school They paid the full'}, {'start': '1902.320', 'end': '1908.560', 'text': 'price without thinking I also requested to attend\xa0\na better school but my mother just stated "Public'}, {'start': '1908.560', 'end': '1914.960', 'text': 'schools are fine son There is no need to waste\xa0\nmoney I was not clueless I knew exactly what'}, {'start': '1914.960', 'end': '1919.840', 'text': 'was going on." They believed that investing in\xa0\nHenry would yield significant returns in the'}, {'start': '1919.840', 'end': '1924.960', 'text': "future They didn't bother because they assumed\xa0\nI was already fine and didn't require assistance"}, {'start': '1925.760', 'end': '1931.680', 'text': 'When I was 17 I discovered I enjoyed dealing with\xa0\ncomputers I wanted to take an online course to'}, {'start': '1931.680', 'end': '1936.960', 'text': "learn how to create software It didn't cost much\xa0\njust a fraction of what my parents had previously"}, {'start': '1936.960', 'end': '1942.640', 'text': 'paid for Henry\'s courses But when I mentioned it\xa0\nmy father shook his head saying "You can learn'}, {'start': '1942.640', 'end': '1949.200', 'text': 'coding on your own There\'s no need to spend money\xa0\non it." I was used to doing things by myself so I'}, {'start': '1949.200', 'end': '1954.640', 'text': 'kept silent I spent the entire summer researching\xa0\nfree resources on the internet learning every'}, {'start': '1954.640', 'end': '1961.680', 'text': 'bit of code and process on my own There are no\xa0\nprofessors or money from home only myself After'}, {'start': '1961.680', 'end': '1967.760', 'text': 'going through similar experiences several times\xa0\nI finally understood what hurt My parents never'}, {'start': '1967.760', 'end': '1973.840', 'text': 'truly believed in me To them Henry was the one\xa0\nworth investing money and time on I was just the'}, {'start': '1973.840', 'end': '1980.080', 'text': "child they assumed didn't need anything I've never\xa0\nblamed Henry It was not his fault But from that"}, {'start': '1980.080', 'end': '1986.320', 'text': 'day forward I gave up hope that my parents would\xa0\never support me After graduating from college I'}, {'start': '1986.320', 'end': '1992.560', 'text': 'worked for two years straight saving every penny\xa0\nI could By the time I was 25 I had saved enough'}, {'start': '1992.560', 'end': '1998.960', 'text': 'money to start a small technology business However\xa0\nin order to expand I required an additional'}, {'start': '1998.960', 'end': '2004.560', 'text': '$65,000 in funding I considered my options\xa0\ncarefully before deciding to seek assistance'}, {'start': '2004.560', 'end': '2011.520', 'text': "from my parents I don't enjoy asking for things I\xa0\ndid not want free money I was prepared to accept"}, {'start': '2011.520', 'end': '2018.160', 'text': "it like a loan even signing a contract to repay\xa0\nit all Still I couldn't stop thinking if Henry"}, {'start': '2018.160', 'end': '2024.240', 'text': "had been assisted so many times why couldn't I\xa0\nask only once So I asked my parents for a large"}, {'start': '2024.240', 'end': '2030.080', 'text': 'sum of money for the first time I recall the\xa0\nday well I sat in front of them and presented'}, {'start': '2030.080', 'end': '2036.000', 'text': 'my company proposal in a serious and respectful\xa0\nmanner I had done my study acquired competent'}, {'start': '2036.000', 'end': '2041.520', 'text': 'business partners and was completely prepared to\xa0\nbe accountable for every single dollar But only a'}, {'start': '2041.520', 'end': '2048.800', 'text': 'few minutes in my father stopped me and said "No\xa0\nit\'s too risky It\'s too unsafe." I glanced at him'}, {'start': '2048.800', 'end': '2054.240', 'text': "expecting he'd explain further but he didn't He\xa0\nwasn't interested in my ideas and didn't inquire"}, {'start': '2054.240', 'end': '2060.160', 'text': 'about the effort I had put in To him whatever I\xa0\ndid was a horrible decision But when Henry tried'}, {'start': '2060.160', 'end': '2067.200', 'text': 'something it was a dream worth supporting I did\xa0\nnot argue I gave a small mournful grin and nodded'}, {'start': '2067.200', 'end': '2073.920', 'text': "I wasn't surprised yet I still felt disappointed\xa0\nEven though I didn't get the $65,000 I didn't give"}, {'start': '2073.920', 'end': '2080.720', 'text': 'up I utilized my savings to establish the business\xa0\nanyway It meant slower growth than I had intended'}, {'start': '2080.720', 'end': '2086.880', 'text': 'but I made prudent financial decisions and seized\xa0\nevery opportunity to improve It began as a small'}, {'start': '2086.880', 'end': '2093.040', 'text': 'team of people working from home I worked non-stop\xa0\nsometimes until I was very exhausted But I never'}, {'start': '2093.040', 'end': '2100.400', 'text': 'quit Nobody believed in me but I trusted myself\xa0\nand I finally succeeded By 29 my company was'}, {'start': '2100.400', 'end': '2106.640', 'text': "doing nicely I wasn't simply living a steady\xa0\nlife I'd also purchased two residences one for"}, {'start': '2106.640', 'end': '2112.480', 'text': 'myself and one to rent out Both were in wonderful\xa0\ncommunities and made me feel more confident about'}, {'start': '2112.480', 'end': '2117.840', 'text': 'the future I performed all of this with\xa0\nno support from my parents or anyone else'}, {'start': '2117.840', 'end': '2124.480', 'text': 'I earned all I own But I kept wondering how much\xa0\nmoney my parents had spent on Henry When Henry'}, {'start': '2124.480', 'end': '2130.960', 'text': 'was 23 he opened his own cafe similar to those\xa0\nseen in Europe My parents gave him more than'}, {'start': '2130.960', 'end': '2137.840', 'text': '$120,000 to aid him He chose a prime location in\xa0\nthe city center outfitted it with elegant tables'}, {'start': '2137.840', 'end': '2144.720', 'text': 'and chairs and employed employees as if it were\xa0\na premium restaurant However after just 8 months'}, {'start': '2144.720', 'end': '2150.880', 'text': 'the cafe closed Henry had no understanding how\xa0\nto manage money how to run a business and most'}, {'start': '2150.880', 'end': '2158.000', 'text': 'importantly he never accepted responsibility for\xa0\nwhat went wrong So what did my parents say after'}, {'start': '2158.000', 'end': '2165.040', 'text': 'the cafe failed The economy is really hard right\xa0\nnow Our sweet boy deserves another try Of course'}, {'start': '2165.040', 'end': '2172.640', 'text': 'another attempt When he turned 25 he decided to\xa0\ntry his hand at fashion Another $65,000 vanished'}, {'start': '2172.640', 'end': '2179.360', 'text': 'to build a small business selling unique clothing\xa0\nThis time the store closed after only half a year'}, {'start': '2179.360', 'end': '2185.120', 'text': "What's the reason He knew nothing about clothing\xa0\nbut that did not deter him Henry had always"}, {'start': '2185.120', 'end': '2189.840', 'text': 'assumed that he was a genius that no one had\xa0\ndiscovered yet I assumed that was the last time'}, {'start': '2189.840', 'end': '2196.480', 'text': "my folks helped him But no they kept trusting in\xa0\nhim That's when I finally realized the truth My"}, {'start': '2196.480', 'end': '2202.000', 'text': 'parents preferred me since I was not hazardous\xa0\nThey said no because they never truly believed I'}, {'start': '2202.000', 'end': '2209.040', 'text': 'merited their trust Then one year ago I discovered\xa0\nsomething that rocked me to the core I was in the'}, {'start': '2209.040', 'end': '2215.120', 'text': 'historic section of town on a quick errand On the\xa0\nway back I planned to pay a visit to my parents I'}, {'start': '2215.120', 'end': '2220.400', 'text': "didn't notify them I was coming I figured I'd\xa0\npop by briefly and say hello but as soon as I"}, {'start': '2220.400', 'end': '2227.280', 'text': 'came up to the house something caught my eye A\xa0\nbrand new BMW parked in the driveway I stared'}, {'start': '2227.280', 'end': '2232.240', 'text': 'at it My parents are not the kind to spend a\xa0\nlot of money so where did this car come from'}, {'start': '2232.240', 'end': '2238.240', 'text': 'The front door opened and my mother emerged with\xa0\na big smile She cheerfully exclaimed "Henry just'}, {'start': '2238.240', 'end': '2247.840', 'text': 'got a new car Isn\'t it amazing?" I stood still\xa0\nabsolutely stunned "A BMW?" "With what money?"'}, {'start': '2247.840', 'end': '2253.840', 'text': "Henry had failed repeatedly He couldn't afford\xa0\nsomething so pricey When I entered the house I"}, {'start': '2253.840', 'end': '2259.280', 'text': 'attempted to remain cool but then I noticed a\xa0\npile of bank paperwork on the table I grabbed'}, {'start': '2259.280', 'end': '2266.400', 'text': "them up and started reading My chest tightened\xa0\nIt was a mortgage loan for $625,000 I couldn't"}, {'start': '2266.400', 'end': '2271.680', 'text': "believe what I was witnessing The loan covered\xa0\n80% of the home's value My parents had placed"}, {'start': '2271.680', 'end': '2277.920', 'text': 'their house on the line But for what Why do\xa0\nyou borrow so much I clutched the papers hard'}, {'start': '2277.920', 'end': '2284.400', 'text': 'attempting to keep my voice steady You use the\xa0\nhouse to get a loan I inquired calmly My father'}, {'start': '2284.400', 'end': '2290.320', 'text': 'frowned My mother would not look at me We only\xa0\ntook out a small loan to help Henry she explained'}, {'start': '2290.320', 'end': '2298.720', 'text': 'calmly as if it were nothing unusual I gave a\xa0\ndry laugh A small loan I looked at the number'}, {'start': '2298.720', 'end': '2308.800', 'text': "again $625,000 That was 80% of your home's value\xa0\nThat's small What about the money grandpa left I"}, {'start': '2308.800', 'end': '2316.320', 'text': "asked him My mother paused and exhaled slowly\xa0\nThat money It's already gone she explained"}, {'start': '2317.360', 'end': '2324.480', 'text': 'gone," I repeated repeating each letter as if it\xa0\npained I looked back at the BMW outside I already'}, {'start': '2324.480', 'end': '2332.080', 'text': 'knew the truth "You spent it on Henry\'s car didn\'t\xa0\nyou?" "They did not speak." My mother bit her lip'}, {'start': '2332.080', 'end': '2338.400', 'text': 'My father gave me a frigid look as if I had said\xa0\nsomething disrespectful "He needed that car," my'}, {'start': '2338.400', 'end': '2344.720', 'text': 'father remarked forcefully "In business how people\xa0\nsee you matters who would take you seriously if'}, {'start': '2344.720', 'end': '2351.280', 'text': 'you show up in a normal car I smiled not because\xa0\nanything was humorous but because the scenario'}, {'start': '2351.280', 'end': '2357.680', 'text': 'was so terribly ridiculous You used up all the\xa0\nsavings spent the inheritance purchased him a'}, {'start': '2357.680', 'end': '2362.800', 'text': "car and now you've used your home to get a loan\xa0\nso he can have even more money for another plan"}, {'start': '2362.800', 'end': '2369.040', 'text': "Do you even see how dangerous that is If Henry\xa0\nmesses up again you'll have no place left to stay"}, {'start': '2369.040', 'end': '2374.480', 'text': "Their faces transformed immediately My mother\xa0\nlooked at me angrily And my father's voice grew"}, {'start': '2374.480', 'end': '2380.800', 'text': "rough and cold You envy your brother don't you He\xa0\nasked You want him to lose just so you can feel"}, {'start': '2380.800', 'end': '2388.560', 'text': 'above him I stood still Envy I repeated unwilling\xa0\nto believe what I had heard You seriously think'}, {'start': '2388.560', 'end': '2393.200', 'text': "I envy someone who has thrown away this family's\xa0\nmoney again and again and has never once taken any"}, {'start': '2393.200', 'end': '2399.360', 'text': 'blame They could not perceive the truth I took\xa0\na long breath and attempted to remain cool but'}, {'start': '2399.360', 'end': '2406.480', 'text': 'then I remembered something and went to my father\xa0\nWhen I was 25 I asked you for a $65,000 loan to'}, {'start': '2406.480', 'end': '2413.920', 'text': 'launch my company Do you remember I replied You\xa0\ninstantly said no You called it too risky And now'}, {'start': '2413.920', 'end': '2420.000', 'text': "you're fine with putting the house on the line for\xa0\nHenry Has he ever succeeded even once I'm really"}, {'start': '2420.000', 'end': '2425.680', 'text': 'let down by both of you My father slammed his\xa0\ndrinking glass on the table with a loud thud That'}, {'start': '2425.680', 'end': '2431.280', 'text': "happened years ago and you're doing fine now he\xa0\nstated firmly But Henry needs help Stop bringing"}, {'start': '2431.280', 'end': '2437.520', 'text': 'up the past to attack this family He stood up\xa0\nhurriedly and gestured to the entryway Leave If'}, {'start': '2437.520', 'end': '2442.960', 'text': "all you're going to do is complain then don't\xa0\ncome back I glanced at them for a few seconds"}, {'start': '2442.960', 'end': '2449.920', 'text': 'Then I put the loan documents on the table nodded\xa0\nand walked away While driving home I took up the'}, {'start': '2449.920', 'end': '2455.680', 'text': 'phone and contacted Henry Even though I was angry\xa0\nat our parents I wanted to try to prevent him from'}, {'start': '2455.680', 'end': '2463.040', 'text': "making another major mistake Henry please listen\xa0\nYou're going the wrong way I replied Mom and dad"}, {'start': '2463.040', 'end': '2469.280', 'text': "have risked everything for you If you fail again\xa0\nthey're going to lose it all Don't you see that"}, {'start': '2469.280', 'end': '2475.840', 'text': "Instead of listening to me Henry chuckled in a\xa0\nphony mocking tone You always do this Elio You're"}, {'start': '2475.840', 'end': '2481.760', 'text': "just jealous You're scared I'll be more successful\xa0\nthan you and now you're trying to stop me I went"}, {'start': '2481.760', 'end': '2489.440', 'text': 'quiet "You really think that?" I inquired calmly\xa0\n"What else could it be?" he said with a scoff "You'}, {'start': '2489.440', 'end': '2496.640', 'text': "already have everything A company houses money and\xa0\nnow that I finally have a shot you can't take it"}, {'start': '2496.640', 'end': '2503.600', 'text': 'You\'re just being selfish." I didn\'t say anything\xa0\nfor a few moments Then I shook my head If that\'s'}, {'start': '2503.600', 'end': '2512.080', 'text': "what you believe there's nothing else I can say I\xa0\nhung up the phone This time I completely gave up"}, {'start': '2512.080', 'end': '2517.760', 'text': 'A week passed without any contact Then out of\xa0\nnowhere my parents called and invited me over'}, {'start': '2517.760', 'end': '2524.320', 'text': "for supper I didn't expect that especially so\xa0\nsoon after our quarrel Regardless of what had"}, {'start': '2524.320', 'end': '2530.640', 'text': 'transpired they were still my family so I agreed\xa0\nto pay them a visit When I arrived I noticed Henry'}, {'start': '2530.640', 'end': '2536.560', 'text': 'was already there The atmosphere in the room\xa0\nwas different less tense than before My parents'}, {'start': '2536.560', 'end': '2542.960', 'text': "glanced at me and my father spoke first Elio we're\xa0\nsorry We said some things that weren't right last"}, {'start': '2542.960', 'end': '2551.280', 'text': 'time My mother nodded her voice softer than normal\xa0\nHenry also wants to apologize I looked at Henry'}, {'start': '2551.280', 'end': '2557.280', 'text': "He gave a slight nod and touched the back of his\xa0\nhead Yeah I was kind of angry that day I shouldn't"}, {'start': '2557.280', 'end': '2563.920', 'text': 'have said what I said I was shocked My parents\xa0\nhad never apologized to me before and Henry had'}, {'start': '2563.920', 'end': '2569.520', 'text': 'never admitted to being wrong For a brief moment\xa0\nI wondered whether they had finally understood'}, {'start': '2569.520', 'end': '2575.440', 'text': 'but less than 60 seconds later I realized what\xa0\nthis supper was actually about My father coughed'}, {'start': '2575.440', 'end': '2582.640', 'text': "faintly then began to talk slowly Elio you've\xa0\ngot two properties One is where you live and the"}, {'start': '2582.640', 'end': '2589.600', 'text': 'other one you lease I could tell right away that\xa0\nsomething was ary Why are you bringing this up I'}, {'start': '2589.600', 'end': '2596.160', 'text': 'inquired my tone growing colder My mother stepped\xa0\nin her voice calm as if she were saying something'}, {'start': '2596.160', 'end': '2602.960', 'text': 'very natural Henry is stepping into the real\xa0\nestate world He needs to appear trustworthy A good'}, {'start': '2602.960', 'end': '2607.760', 'text': 'place to stay would help his image If you could\xa0\nlet him have one of your houses it would be a big'}, {'start': '2607.760', 'end': '2614.880', 'text': 'help for his future I sat in disbelief So that was\xa0\nit The apologies had merely served to set up this'}, {'start': '2614.880', 'end': '2623.280', 'text': 'ridiculous request I responded immediately looking\xa0\ndirectly at them No My mother blinked as if she'}, {'start': '2623.280', 'end': '2629.600', 'text': 'could not believe what I had just said What do you\xa0\nmean Elio She inquired remaining kind but sounding'}, {'start': '2629.600', 'end': '2635.760', 'text': "more apprehensive I mean I'm not giving Henry my\xa0\nproperty I'm not foolish The entire mood shifted"}, {'start': '2635.760', 'end': '2642.720', 'text': 'instantaneously My father lowered his chopsticks\xa0\nwith a loud noise his expression hardening Elio'}, {'start': '2642.720', 'end': '2650.320', 'text': "you have two places to stay Henry only needs one\xa0\nbreak He's your brother I gave out a sour laugh"}, {'start': '2650.320', 'end': '2656.000', 'text': 'So what now You expect me to give up my home just\xa0\nso he can look successful How many times have you'}, {'start': '2656.000', 'end': '2662.320', 'text': "thrown money at him even though he's never once\xa0\nachieved anything My father's tone became stronger"}, {'start': '2662.320', 'end': '2668.080', 'text': "He hasn't failed He just hasn't gotten the right\xa0\nmoment yet And you you already have it all Can't"}, {'start': '2668.080', 'end': '2674.160', 'text': 'you support him just this one time I laughed\xa0\nagain but this time it sounded dry and hollow'}, {'start': '2674.160', 'end': '2680.880', 'text': 'Have everything You never gave me anything at all\xa0\nEven when I asked for $65,000 to build my company'}, {'start': '2680.880', 'end': '2687.600', 'text': "you said no right away And now you think I should\xa0\ngive Henry a whole house I'm not out of my mind"}, {'start': '2687.600', 'end': '2693.280', 'text': "My mother's hand started shaking My father slammed\xa0\nhis hand against the table making the water in the"}, {'start': '2693.280', 'end': '2699.840', 'text': "cups quiver So you're just selfish like the rest\xa0\nYou envy your own brother You're scared he might"}, {'start': '2699.840', 'end': '2707.040', 'text': "become more successful than you Isn't that it I\xa0\nrose up abruptly my eyes full with disappointment"}, {'start': '2707.040', 'end': '2714.480', 'text': "Number I'm just not dumb Silence engulfed the room\xa0\nI looked toward Henry He still hadn't spoken and"}, {'start': '2714.480', 'end': '2720.080', 'text': "his gaze was fixed on the ground I knew deep down\xa0\nthat if I'd agreed to give him that house he'd"}, {'start': '2720.080', 'end': '2726.080', 'text': "take it immediately He would not have thought\xa0\ntwice He didn't mind stealing what wasn't his"}, {'start': '2726.080', 'end': '2732.640', 'text': 'I shook my head feeling ill rather than angry You\xa0\ncan keep putting your faith in him if you want'}, {'start': '2732.640', 'end': '2738.560', 'text': "I don't I walked out of my former home without\xa0\nsaying anything else My father's furious voice"}, {'start': '2738.560', 'end': '2746.080', 'text': "screamed behind me If you leave now don't ever\xa0\ncome back I did not stop This time I left them"}, {'start': '2746.080', 'end': '2753.680', 'text': 'for good As expected Henry failed again a few\xa0\nmonths later My parents did not mention it to me'}, {'start': '2753.680', 'end': '2758.320', 'text': 'Henry did not inform me either I discovered\xa0\nit through someone I know who worked in real'}, {'start': '2758.320', 'end': '2766.160', 'text': "estate Elio did you hear Henry's business went\xa0\nunder I paused grasping my phone tightly What"}, {'start': '2766.160', 'end': '2772.640', 'text': 'went wrong I inquired despite knowing the answer\xa0\ninside He picked the wrong deal He bought when'}, {'start': '2772.640', 'end': '2778.320', 'text': 'the price was high and sold when it dropped Lost\xa0\nit all That money from the mortgage your parents'}, {'start': '2778.320', 'end': '2786.000', 'text': "took Gone I closed my eyes and let out a breath I\xa0\nwasn't astonished It was going to happen sooner or"}, {'start': '2786.000', 'end': '2793.680', 'text': 'later But there was more "What about the BMW?" I\xa0\ninquired Though I already had a horrible feeling'}, {'start': '2793.680', 'end': '2799.040', 'text': '"He sold it 2 months ago," my pal explained\xa0\n"He needed money to keep things going but it'}, {'start': '2799.040', 'end': '2806.240', 'text': "didn't help for long I let forth a flat joyless\xa0\nlaugh My parents had gambled everything on Henry"}, {'start': '2806.240', 'end': '2812.240', 'text': "They were certain he was intended to win but\xa0\nnow there's no money no business and no car"}, {'start': '2812.240', 'end': '2819.120', 'text': 'Soon there will be no roof above their heads What\xa0\nwas my emotional state at the time Not proud not'}, {'start': '2819.120', 'end': '2825.440', 'text': "joyful The inside is just blank I'd warned them\xa0\nI'd attempted to make them see but they ignored"}, {'start': '2825.440', 'end': '2831.520', 'text': "me I already knew what would happen next They'd\xa0\nreach out to me My phone kept calling a few hours"}, {'start': '2831.520', 'end': '2838.080', 'text': "after I heard about Henry's firm failing just as\xa0\nI expected My mom made the initial call I didn't"}, {'start': '2838.080', 'end': '2845.440', 'text': 'respond Then another then another then dozens\xa0\nmore Messages came in non-stop Elio answer'}, {'start': '2845.440', 'end': '2852.480', 'text': "please We need you Please don't leave us alone\xa0\nI saw each communication but did not respond I"}, {'start': '2852.480', 'end': '2856.880', 'text': 'understood exactly what they were asking for I\xa0\nknew this would happen as soon as they applied'}, {'start': '2856.880', 'end': '2863.200', 'text': "for a loan on their home They weren't messaging to\xa0\napologize They were looking for financial support"}, {'start': '2863.200', 'end': '2869.520', 'text': 'The following morning I stepped outdoors to go to\xa0\nwork I paused abruptly My parents and Henry stood'}, {'start': '2869.520', 'end': '2875.920', 'text': 'in front of my door They appeared worse than ever\xa0\nbefore Henry had lost his normal pride His face'}, {'start': '2875.920', 'end': '2882.000', 'text': 'appeared thin and worn No fancy clothing There\xa0\nis no proud corporate mindset He looked like'}, {'start': '2882.000', 'end': '2888.160', 'text': "he'd lost everything My mother looked like she'd\xa0\nbeen crying for hours My father who was previously"}, {'start': '2888.160', 'end': '2894.080', 'text': 'robust and proud now appeared much older as if\xa0\nstress had accelerated his aging They had nothing'}, {'start': '2894.080', 'end': '2902.000', 'text': 'left My father cleared his throat and spoke with\xa0\na horse weak voice Elio we were wrong I crossed my'}, {'start': '2902.000', 'end': '2909.200', 'text': 'arms and leaned against the doorway my expression\xa0\nchilly Now you get it They did not argue No'}, {'start': '2909.200', 'end': '2916.800', 'text': "yelling Don't call me selfish or jealous because\xa0\nthey needed me now My mother began speaking her"}, {'start': '2916.800', 'end': '2925.440', 'text': "voice weak Son we're out of options Please help\xa0\nus I sighed and stopped her I don't have any cash"}, {'start': '2925.440', 'end': '2930.880', 'text': 'They froze but my father responded instantly as\xa0\nif he had already practiced it You could sell'}, {'start': '2930.880', 'end': '2935.680', 'text': "your company or one of your homes If we can cover\xa0\nwhat we owe and keep the old house we'll be able"}, {'start': '2935.680', 'end': '2941.760', 'text': 'to begin again." I gave him a brief look Then I\xa0\nlaughed not because it was hilarious but because'}, {'start': '2941.760', 'end': '2947.200', 'text': "I couldn't believe what I had heard They truly\xa0\nassumed I'd sell the firm I founded to save them"}, {'start': '2947.200', 'end': '2953.440', 'text': 'These same folks had refused to lend me $65,000\xa0\nwhen I wanted to pursue my passion Now they wanted'}, {'start': '2953.440', 'end': '2959.360', 'text': "me to give up everything I'd built for them They\xa0\ncut me out They said no And now they asked me to"}, {'start': '2959.360', 'end': '2965.440', 'text': 'lose everything for them I had nothing else to\xa0\ncontribute I stood tall walked forward and opened'}, {'start': '2965.440', 'end': '2973.920', 'text': 'the door wide I then pointed outside Leave my home\xa0\nNobody moved Henry opened his lips to speak but'}, {'start': '2973.920', 'end': '2981.840', 'text': "I interrupted him I told you I'm not a fool I had\xa0\nnothing more to say One month later the bank took"}, {'start': '2981.840', 'end': '2986.640', 'text': 'over their old residence They had to pack things\xa0\nand leave They had lost their home and were now'}, {'start': '2986.640', 'end': '2992.960', 'text': 'homeless I was not surprised I saw it coming the\xa0\nday they signed the loan They started out staying'}, {'start': '2992.960', 'end': '2998.240', 'text': 'with people they knew but no one could keep them\xa0\nfor long They later moved into small low-cost'}, {'start': '2998.240', 'end': '3004.560', 'text': 'hotel rooms that were dark wet and overcrowded\xa0\nWhen their money ran out they ended up in shelters'}, {'start': '3004.560', 'end': '3009.440', 'text': 'waiting in line for meals These were the same\xa0\nparents who formerly had a nice house and enough'}, {'start': '3009.440', 'end': '3015.040', 'text': 'money to live comfortably Now they were members of\xa0\nthe group that had lost everything And Henry the'}, {'start': '3015.040', 'end': '3021.440', 'text': 'man who once referred to himself as a businessman\xa0\nand drove a BMW was suddenly broke He walked'}, {'start': '3021.440', 'end': '3026.800', 'text': 'around looking for work but no one wanted to hire\xa0\nsomeone who had failed repeatedly Even though I'}, {'start': '3026.800', 'end': '3032.720', 'text': "told myself I didn't care anymore I observed them\xa0\nquietly from a distance I did not contact them but"}, {'start': '3032.720', 'end': '3037.440', 'text': "I knew how they were doing Even though I tried\xa0\nnot to feel anything I couldn't completely turn"}, {'start': '3037.440', 'end': '3043.120', 'text': 'away For three months I let them experience what\xa0\nit meant to lose everything I wanted them to feel'}, {'start': '3043.120', 'end': '3048.560', 'text': 'the consequences of their choices But deep down\xa0\nthe sensation of being their kid prevented me'}, {'start': '3048.560', 'end': '3055.680', 'text': 'from watching indefinitely Even if they treated me\xa0\nharshly or shut me out they were still my parents'}, {'start': '3055.680', 'end': '3062.800', 'text': 'About a month ago I made up my decision I would\xa0\ngo visit them They appeared absolutely defeated'}, {'start': '3062.800', 'end': '3069.040', 'text': 'My father who formerly walked proudly dropped his\xa0\nhead when I entered My mother seemed exhausted Her'}, {'start': '3069.040', 'end': '3074.240', 'text': 'eyes had shadows from sleepless nights and her\xa0\nhair was grayer than I remembered Henry sat off'}, {'start': '3074.240', 'end': '3079.360', 'text': "to the side He was no longer full of confidence\xa0\nHe wasn't the type of man who boasted about his"}, {'start': '3079.360', 'end': '3086.880', 'text': 'lofty goals and ambitious intentions Nobody spoke\xa0\nfor a while Finally I spoke up I will rent a small'}, {'start': '3086.880', 'end': '3093.040', 'text': "place for you It'll be enough to live near the\xa0\ncity but only for one year My mother lifted her"}, {'start': '3093.040', 'end': '3099.920', 'text': "head Her expression conveyed a hint of hope But I\xa0\nwasn't finished During that year Henry has to get"}, {'start': '3099.920', 'end': '3107.120', 'text': "work And after those 12 months you're on your own\xa0\nI won't give more help My father said nothing back"}, {'start': '3107.120', 'end': '3112.880', 'text': "My mother didn't plead They both understood they\xa0\nhad no right to ask for anything else Henry opened"}, {'start': '3112.880', 'end': '3118.800', 'text': 'his mouth perhaps to complain or to question but\xa0\nfor the first time my father raised his hand and'}, {'start': '3118.800', 'end': '3124.720', 'text': 'stopped him He gave me a long look before slowly\xa0\nnodding That was the first time I had seen him'}, {'start': '3124.720', 'end': '3131.600', 'text': "recognize his faults You're probably asking why I\xa0\njust provided assistance for one year Here's why"}, {'start': '3131.600', 'end': '3136.880', 'text': "Henry still lives with them and I won't let him\xa0\nrely on me For years he's gotten used to having"}, {'start': '3136.880', 'end': '3142.480', 'text': 'someone else handle his difficulties But this\xa0\ntime if he wants a true life he must earn it for'}, {'start': '3142.480', 'end': '3149.200', 'text': "himself If my parents can care for themselves in a\xa0\nyear that's great If they cannot I will have Henry"}, {'start': '3149.200', 'end': '3155.760', 'text': 'depart After that I will just pay rent to ensure\xa0\nthat my parents do not end up on the street But'}, {'start': '3155.760', 'end': '3162.960', 'text': "Henry will no longer be my job That is my final\xa0\ndecision Now I'd like to ask you if you were me"}, {'start': '3162.960', 'end': '3167.680', 'text': 'what would you have done Would you continue to\xa0\nhelp them or would you let them deal with the'}, {'start': '3167.680', 'end': '3175.040', 'text': 'consequences of their actions Thanks for watching\xa0\nand diving into this wild family drama with me'}, {'start': '3175.040', 'end': '3180.080', 'text': "If you love Reddit family drama don't forget to\xa0\nsubscribe and turn on notifications so you never"}, {'start': '3180.080', 'end': '3188.160', 'text': 'miss the next one My siblings received luxurious\xa0\ngifts but I received body wash for our birthdays'}, {'start': '3188.160', 'end': '3193.120', 'text': "Now that I'm moving out everything is coming\xa0\napart I am a 25-year-old woman living with"}, {'start': '3193.120', 'end': '3200.160', 'text': 'my parents I have two siblings Joseph and Katrina\xa0\nAs the oldest I was the first to begin employment'}, {'start': '3200.160', 'end': '3205.360', 'text': 'For a long period just my father and I worked to\xa0\nsupport the family My mother was either ill or'}, {'start': '3205.360', 'end': '3210.800', 'text': "too weary to work Over the years I've realized\xa0\nthat her condition is self-inflicted She would"}, {'start': '3210.800', 'end': '3215.920', 'text': 'rather sit on the couch all day watching TV and\xa0\novereating than work I gave up trying to convince'}, {'start': '3215.920', 'end': '3221.040', 'text': 'her to start working a long time ago My brother\xa0\nand sister began working shortly after finishing'}, {'start': '3221.040', 'end': '3226.720', 'text': 'school Unfortunately they were unable to hold\xa0\ntheir jobs for long My brother was a robber and'}, {'start': '3226.720', 'end': '3231.600', 'text': 'my sister blamed her lack of employment on her\xa0\nmental condition The temporary financial comfort'}, {'start': '3231.600', 'end': '3236.560', 'text': 'we felt when they started working did not endure\xa0\nI eventually had to take on additional shifts at'}, {'start': '3236.560', 'end': '3242.000', 'text': "work knowing I couldn't rely on them I worked\xa0\nhard to move forward in my company Now I make"}, {'start': '3242.000', 'end': '3247.280', 'text': 'more than most individuals my age Many people\xa0\ncompliment me on my accomplishments Yet I feel'}, {'start': '3247.280', 'end': '3252.880', 'text': 'like an impostor when I look back I have not\xa0\ndone anything for myself 70% of my earnings'}, {'start': '3252.880', 'end': '3259.600', 'text': 'goes toward home expenses leaving me with only 30%\xa0\nThat quantity barely meets my needs On top of that'}, {'start': '3259.600', 'end': '3264.240', 'text': 'there is always an unforeseen expense at the end\xa0\nof the month that I must cover I work so much that'}, {'start': '3264.240', 'end': '3270.160', 'text': "I rarely come home and when I do it's a nightmare\xa0\nAt least I get paid for my job but no one pays me"}, {'start': '3270.160', 'end': '3276.400', 'text': 'to clean the house I need to clean do laundry wash\xa0\ndishes and make sure we have adequate groceries'}, {'start': '3276.400', 'end': '3281.440', 'text': 'My mother and sister barely contribute My mother\xa0\nspends the entire day watching television whilst'}, {'start': '3281.440', 'end': '3285.600', 'text': 'my sister locks herself in her room and only\xa0\ncomes out to hang out with her friends or get into'}, {'start': '3285.600', 'end': '3291.120', 'text': "trouble I can't ask my father or brother for aid\xa0\nbecause they adhere to traditional gender norms"}, {'start': '3291.120', 'end': '3296.640', 'text': 'This is the type of family I come from Although I\xa0\ndisagreed with those ideals I felt I had no choice'}, {'start': '3296.640', 'end': '3301.760', 'text': 'because I was living in their home Every time I\xa0\ntried to speak up my mother told me to find my own'}, {'start': '3301.760', 'end': '3307.520', 'text': 'place She understands that I cannot afford my own\xa0\nhouse while also supporting the family She also'}, {'start': '3307.520', 'end': '3312.640', 'text': 'considers my heart is too sensitive to leave them\xa0\nto fend for themselves or so she believes None'}, {'start': '3312.640', 'end': '3317.840', 'text': "of this is the reason I am writing this piece\xa0\nIt isn't even the reason I'm so frustrated My"}, {'start': '3317.840', 'end': '3321.840', 'text': 'frustration stems from the fact that my parents\xa0\nhave once again demonstrated their preference'}, {'start': '3321.840', 'end': '3329.840', 'text': 'for my brothers over me It was my birthday two\xa0\ndays ago My gift Body wash Yes body wash You'}, {'start': '3329.840', 'end': '3335.280', 'text': 'might think I am ungrateful but Katrina celebrated\xa0\nher birthday last month She had a lavish surprise'}, {'start': '3335.280', 'end': '3340.000', 'text': "party that we couldn't afford I had to take\xa0\non more consulting work to help pay for it"}, {'start': '3340.000', 'end': '3345.040', 'text': 'This came after my father said he had enough money\xa0\nto pay for the party after I initially declined'}, {'start': '3345.040', 'end': '3350.640', 'text': 'After the party he approached me with a sob tail\xa0\nabout miscalculating expenses He also told me that'}, {'start': '3350.640', 'end': '3355.600', 'text': 'he had borrowed from bad people and was frightened\xa0\nthey would harm us To protect my family I chose'}, {'start': '3355.600', 'end': '3360.560', 'text': "to pay for the party I was very disappointed\xa0\nbecause they constantly do this Whether it's"}, {'start': '3360.560', 'end': '3366.640', 'text': 'a holiday or a birthday they always prioritize my\xa0\nsiblings gifts before my own This year my brother'}, {'start': '3366.640', 'end': '3371.360', 'text': "received a new gaming system as a gift while my\xa0\nsister received a certificate for our city's most"}, {'start': '3371.360', 'end': '3377.440', 'text': "costly spa And me I received body wash After\xa0\neverything I've done for this family is body"}, {'start': '3377.440', 'end': '3383.600', 'text': "wash all I deserve I'm not sure why but this time\xa0\nI was rather offended Every time they did this I"}, {'start': '3383.600', 'end': '3388.640', 'text': "found a method to get around it I persuaded myself\xa0\nthey didn't mean it that they adored and valued"}, {'start': '3388.640', 'end': '3395.120', 'text': 'me However I believe it is time to quit telling\xa0\nmyself lies That body wash was the final straw'}, {'start': '3395.120', 'end': '3400.960', 'text': 'I exploded after receiving it I was unable to\xa0\nrestrain myself I got a tremendous lump in my'}, {'start': '3400.960', 'end': '3405.600', 'text': "throat and my wrath overtook me I asked them\xa0\nwhy I couldn't throw a big celebration like"}, {'start': '3405.600', 'end': '3411.680', 'text': 'Katrina and Joseph All I got was body shampoo\xa0\nnot even a good cake My father became enraged'}, {'start': '3411.680', 'end': '3416.560', 'text': 'and asked why I was being so disrespectful when\xa0\nI understood their financial predicament At that'}, {'start': '3416.560', 'end': '3421.280', 'text': 'point I began laughing and asked him how he could\xa0\nsay it with a straight face He was the one who'}, {'start': '3421.280', 'end': '3426.080', 'text': "went into debt to ensure Katrina had a spectacular\xa0\nbirthday celebration but he couldn't afford more"}, {'start': '3426.080', 'end': '3432.080', 'text': 'than $20 for mine I was tired of being treated\xa0\ndifferently At that point I had to inquire whether'}, {'start': '3432.080', 'end': '3438.080', 'text': 'I was adopted Is that why they treated me like a\xa0\nstranger I work hard at my job come home and take'}, {'start': '3438.080', 'end': '3443.920', 'text': 'care of everyone but all I receive is body wash\xa0\nThey must be kidding My mother started crying'}, {'start': '3443.920', 'end': '3449.040', 'text': "at that point saying she hated it when I had these\xa0\nlittle outbursts So it's all right for her to have"}, {'start': '3449.040', 'end': '3455.120', 'text': "emotions but when I display mine I'm disrespectful\xa0\nto the family That is exactly what I interpreted"}, {'start': '3455.120', 'end': '3460.160', 'text': 'from her comment She has hundreds of various\xa0\nemotions during the day and we are expected to'}, {'start': '3460.160', 'end': '3467.200', 'text': "tolerate them But if I get outraged over something\xa0\nlegitimate I'm labeled theatrical Fine I decided"}, {'start': '3467.200', 'end': '3473.280', 'text': 'to quit arguing and go to my room When they tried\xa0\ncalling I pretended to be asleep I sat there for'}, {'start': '3473.280', 'end': '3479.600', 'text': 'the entire time just thinking I was really unhappy\xa0\nEven though I keep myself busy all the time I am'}, {'start': '3479.600', 'end': '3485.440', 'text': 'unable to fall asleep My thoughts center on how\xa0\nsad I am Most people my age are buying their first'}, {'start': '3485.440', 'end': '3491.040', 'text': 'car getting married or purchasing a home I see\xa0\nsome of them at work doing just that Even though'}, {'start': '3491.040', 'end': '3497.760', 'text': 'they earn less than me I am envious Despite being\xa0\nahead in my job I am far behind in life I have no'}, {'start': '3497.760', 'end': '3503.440', 'text': 'identity or purpose in this world My only purpose\xa0\nis to serve these ungrateful people Now that I'}, {'start': '3503.440', 'end': '3508.160', 'text': 'think about it how did I allow them to treat me\xa0\nthis way It had been going on for so long that'}, {'start': '3508.160', 'end': '3513.200', 'text': 'I had no idea they were taking advantage of me My\xa0\nthoughts on this have grown extremely apparent as'}, {'start': '3513.200', 'end': '3518.000', 'text': "a result of the event with my birthday gift Now\xa0\nI understand I don't want things to stay this way"}, {'start': '3518.000', 'end': '3523.520', 'text': "forever Something needs to change I feel like I'm\xa0\naccomplishing nothing with my life and I'd like to"}, {'start': '3523.520', 'end': '3529.600', 'text': 'know what I can do to alter that to have my own\xa0\npurpose Update one I did it I moved out 2 months'}, {'start': '3529.600', 'end': '3535.120', 'text': "after my original post I can't believe I moved\xa0\nout only 2 months after the birthday incident"}, {'start': '3535.120', 'end': '3539.920', 'text': 'My apartment is small and sparsely furnished but\xa0\nit is mine Do you want to know the first thing'}, {'start': '3539.920', 'end': '3545.200', 'text': 'I did after I finished moving I lay in my bed\xa0\nfor hours with no one phoning me to repair any'}, {'start': '3545.200', 'end': '3551.360', 'text': "minor issue It was an odd sensation I had no idea\xa0\nthat resting in bed could be so cathartic You're"}, {'start': '3551.360', 'end': '3556.880', 'text': 'undoubtedly wondering how I moved especially\xa0\ngiven my controlling family It was not easy but I'}, {'start': '3556.880', 'end': '3562.480', 'text': 'completed it First I took their counsel and began\xa0\nsetting boundaries I merely paid the bare minimum'}, {'start': '3562.480', 'end': '3567.200', 'text': 'for household bills and saved the remainder I\xa0\nalso took on more shifts at work and saved the'}, {'start': '3567.200', 'end': '3572.160', 'text': 'money When my parents inquired about the money I\xa0\nexplained that it would be included in my year-end'}, {'start': '3572.160', 'end': '3577.360', 'text': 'bonus It was difficult but as soon as I gathered\xa0\nenough for the deposit I told them to go to hell'}, {'start': '3577.360', 'end': '3582.480', 'text': 'and moved into my new apartment Once I had picked\xa0\nwhich apartment to rent I informed my parents that'}, {'start': '3582.480', 'end': '3587.840', 'text': "I was leaving It wasn't a pleasant conversation\xa0\nThey were enraged and inquired whether living with"}, {'start': '3587.840', 'end': '3593.280', 'text': "them was indeed that horrible I assured them it\xa0\nwasn't about them but about me I was getting older"}, {'start': '3593.280', 'end': '3598.960', 'text': "and needed to get more independence I couldn't\xa0\ndo it if I kept living with them Besides mom had"}, {'start': '3598.960', 'end': '3603.600', 'text': 'always said I should get my own apartment Of\xa0\ncourse my mother was offended by my reply and'}, {'start': '3603.600', 'end': '3609.200', 'text': 'labeled it snarky She claimed to want only the\xa0\nbest for me but I mocked everything she said I'}, {'start': '3609.200', 'end': '3614.800', 'text': "realized I couldn't win that fight so I apologized\xa0\nand went on My family was very resistant to my"}, {'start': '3614.800', 'end': '3619.280', 'text': "desire to immigrate but there was nothing they\xa0\ncould do I'd already signed my lease and was"}, {'start': '3619.280', 'end': '3624.880', 'text': 'prepared to go In protest none of them helped me\xa0\npack I had to approach a couple co-workers for'}, {'start': '3624.880', 'end': '3630.320', 'text': 'assistance Janet and Lisa two acquaintances from\xa0\nseparate divisions at work were the only ones who'}, {'start': '3630.320', 'end': '3635.760', 'text': 'were aware of my predicament at home When I told\xa0\nthem I was relocating they jumped for delight'}, {'start': '3635.760', 'end': '3640.960', 'text': 'When I requested for aid with the move they were\xa0\nmore than happy to help We completed transferring'}, {'start': '3640.960', 'end': '3645.920', 'text': "everything a few days ago and now I am in my\xa0\npractically empty apartment I don't have much"}, {'start': '3645.920', 'end': '3652.240', 'text': "yet But I'm satisfied I can't wait to start living\xa0\nindependently Update two I've been living in my"}, {'start': '3652.240', 'end': '3657.520', 'text': "apartment for more than a month It's been a tough\xa0\nmonth but I'm happier than ever or was until a few"}, {'start': '3657.520', 'end': '3663.120', 'text': "hours ago Let me quickly recap what transpired\xa0\nover the last month I've been furnishing my flat"}, {'start': '3663.120', 'end': '3668.320', 'text': "and even had a housewarming party Also now that\xa0\nI have my evenings free I've begun to get out"}, {'start': '3668.320', 'end': '3673.120', 'text': 'with friends and even meet new individuals through\xa0\nthem It is wonderful to finally have a social life'}, {'start': '3673.120', 'end': '3679.200', 'text': "after so long without one Honestly I think I'm\xa0\nfinally living for myself Aside from developing"}, {'start': '3679.200', 'end': '3684.640', 'text': "a social life I've started dating someone Lisa\xa0\nintroduced me to In the past I never went out"}, {'start': '3684.640', 'end': '3690.080', 'text': "with anyone since I didn't have time My family was\xa0\ncontinuously disrupting my plans with some sort of"}, {'start': '3690.080', 'end': '3695.920', 'text': "emergency but now that I live farther away they\xa0\ncan't do that You're probably wondering how my"}, {'start': '3695.920', 'end': '3701.040', 'text': 'connection with my family has fared over the last\xa0\nmonth Actually none of them had messaged me at all'}, {'start': '3701.040', 'end': '3706.320', 'text': "throughout this time They've been unusually\xa0\nquiet which has been disconcerting at times"}, {'start': '3706.320', 'end': '3711.760', 'text': "I considered messaging them but I stopped myself I\xa0\nfeel like I'm usually the one to break the ice and"}, {'start': '3711.760', 'end': '3717.120', 'text': 'apologize after our disagreements I do not want\xa0\nto be that way anymore I want to be treated with'}, {'start': '3717.120', 'end': '3723.600', 'text': 'the same respect as any other member of the family\xa0\nSo I opted not to reach out For a while I felt our'}, {'start': '3723.600', 'end': '3728.720', 'text': 'relationship had ended That was until my mother\xa0\ncontacted me this afternoon when I was at work'}, {'start': '3728.720', 'end': '3733.840', 'text': 'I was astonished to see her name on the screen\xa0\nbut I responded As soon as I picked up she asked'}, {'start': '3733.840', 'end': '3738.880', 'text': '"Where\'s the check?" At first I was perplexed\xa0\nbecause I had no idea what check she was referring'}, {'start': '3738.880', 'end': '3745.440', 'text': "to Had she forgotten that I wasn't living with\xa0\nthem anymore What were her thoughts Anyway she"}, {'start': '3745.440', 'end': '3750.640', 'text': 'wondered how I expected them to function without\xa0\nmy assistance I told her that she had two healthy'}, {'start': '3750.640', 'end': '3755.760', 'text': "capable children who could help pay the expenses\xa0\nThey've had a month to look for work What have"}, {'start': '3755.760', 'end': '3760.080', 'text': 'they been doing during that time She then\xa0\nquestioned how I could be so inconsiderate to'}, {'start': '3760.080', 'end': '3765.840', 'text': 'my siblings plight So I questioned her how I could\xa0\nfeel sympathy for a criminal and a lazy girl They'}, {'start': '3765.840', 'end': '3771.520', 'text': "damaged their own job possibilities Couldn't they\xa0\nlearn from me and persevere I told my mother that"}, {'start': '3771.520', 'end': '3776.320', 'text': 'I was not going to send anything and that they\xa0\nneeded to make their own plans Then I hung up'}, {'start': '3776.320', 'end': '3781.840', 'text': 'She contacted me numerous more times but I did\xa0\nnot respond Later my father called and tried'}, {'start': '3781.840', 'end': '3787.520', 'text': "to reprimand me but I hung up I couldn't believe\xa0\nwhat I had done I had never cut someone off while"}, {'start': '3787.520', 'end': '3792.880', 'text': 'they were speaking before But to be honest the\xa0\nlast month has been so tranquil and reconnecting'}, {'start': '3792.880', 'end': '3797.840', 'text': "with them has reminded me of how tumultuous my\xa0\nlife once was I don't think I want to upset my"}, {'start': '3797.840', 'end': '3803.120', 'text': 'peace by reintroducing them into my life I wish\xa0\nthey had remained silent They should have cut me'}, {'start': '3803.120', 'end': '3808.400', 'text': 'off and left me alone because in reality I was\xa0\nnever actually a part of the family Now I see'}, {'start': '3808.400', 'end': '3813.120', 'text': 'that they only wanted me for as long as I could\xa0\nprovide for them I was living an unsustainable'}, {'start': '3813.120', 'end': '3818.960', 'text': "lifestyle because I was always there to support\xa0\nothers But now that's over I have hit my limit It"}, {'start': '3818.960', 'end': '3824.400', 'text': 'is time for me to focus on myself I should have\xa0\ndone this long ago They have attempted to make'}, {'start': '3824.400', 'end': '3831.360', 'text': "me feel bad but it isn't working I believe it's\xa0\nbecause I'm now immune to it Update three Honestly"}, {'start': '3831.360', 'end': '3836.880', 'text': "I'm not sure what's wrong with my family I can't\xa0\nbelieve I am related to such strange individuals"}, {'start': '3836.880', 'end': '3842.160', 'text': "I knew they were capable of going to extremes to\xa0\nachieve their goals but this is too much I'm not"}, {'start': '3842.160', 'end': '3846.560', 'text': "going to be patient with them after this They're\xa0\nabout to witness a side of me they didn't realize"}, {'start': '3846.560', 'end': '3852.080', 'text': "existed It had been 2 days since my relatives\xa0\nbegan pestering me for money I've repeatedly"}, {'start': '3852.080', 'end': '3856.960', 'text': "told them that I'm not giving them anything They\xa0\nneed to devise their own plan If they can't pay"}, {'start': '3856.960', 'end': '3861.760', 'text': "their bills how can they expect me to support\xa0\nthem when I already have my own expenses It's"}, {'start': '3861.760', 'end': '3867.280', 'text': "totally irresponsible and irrational I've been\xa0\nignoring them for the past 24 hours concentrating"}, {'start': '3867.280', 'end': '3872.160', 'text': "on purchasing additional furnishings for my flat\xa0\nIt's finally beginning to look like a house and"}, {'start': '3872.160', 'end': '3877.920', 'text': "I'm really pleased with myself I can't believe\xa0\nI now have items to call my own Unfortunately"}, {'start': '3877.920', 'end': '3882.800', 'text': "I can't truly appreciate this success because\xa0\nthey've been so obnoxious I've ignored them the"}, {'start': '3882.800', 'end': '3888.400', 'text': 'entire time which is presumably why they decided\xa0\nto come to my residence Yes they came to my flat'}, {'start': '3888.400', 'end': '3893.360', 'text': "last night while I was hosting a little gathering\xa0\nHere's what happened Yesterday was a Friday night"}, {'start': '3893.360', 'end': '3899.520', 'text': 'and a few of my pals wanted to go out but I was\xa0\ntoo exhausted Lisa and Janet agreed so we planned'}, {'start': '3899.520', 'end': '3904.640', 'text': 'a book and wine night at my apartment Two more\xa0\ngirls joined us and we were having a terrific time'}, {'start': '3904.640', 'end': '3909.920', 'text': 'until there was a disturbance outside the door I\xa0\nlive in a quiet apartment community so this was'}, {'start': '3909.920', 'end': '3915.600', 'text': 'concerning We attempted to ignore it but it became\xa0\nlouder and soon reached my door When I opened it'}, {'start': '3915.600', 'end': '3920.640', 'text': 'my sister father and brother were arguing with the\xa0\nbuilding manager They demanded to be allowed into'}, {'start': '3920.640', 'end': '3925.520', 'text': "my apartment since they were family I couldn't\xa0\nbelieve what I was witnessing I informed the"}, {'start': '3925.520', 'end': '3930.160', 'text': 'manager that I knew them but they were not welcome\xa0\nMy father looked hurt and claimed he only wanted'}, {'start': '3930.160', 'end': '3935.760', 'text': 'to talk I asked him to look at the time which was\xa0\n10 p.m I informed them that if they wanted to see'}, {'start': '3935.760', 'end': '3941.520', 'text': "me they could have called ahead Also how did they\xa0\nknow where I lived That's when my sister stepped"}, {'start': '3941.520', 'end': '3946.560', 'text': 'in stating she learned from a friend who had seen\xa0\nme at the complex Then she looked around and noted'}, {'start': '3946.560', 'end': '3952.560', 'text': "that I was living large She asked why she couldn't\xa0\nlive with me I looked at her like she was insane"}, {'start': '3952.560', 'end': '3957.200', 'text': 'Why would I want to live with someone who is so\xa0\nlazy I would have to feed her and clean up after'}, {'start': '3957.200', 'end': '3962.320', 'text': 'her I have not forgotten the dynamics of the\xa0\nprevious few years I told them to go because'}, {'start': '3962.320', 'end': '3967.600', 'text': "they were not welcome particularly at that hour\xa0\nMy father refused saying they wouldn't go unless"}, {'start': '3967.600', 'end': '3972.560', 'text': 'I spoke with them I informed him that I was not\xa0\ninterested in talking especially since I had'}, {'start': '3972.560', 'end': '3977.680', 'text': 'guests Then my brother began ranting at the top of\xa0\nhis lungs addressing my friends and calling me a'}, {'start': '3977.680', 'end': '3983.840', 'text': 'useless sister He then forced his way into my flat\xa0\nand started verbally assaulting me Between him my'}, {'start': '3983.840', 'end': '3989.840', 'text': 'sister and my father I felt completely overwhelmed\xa0\nMeanwhile my friend sat stunned watching this'}, {'start': '3989.840', 'end': '3994.960', 'text': 'horrific show Things only got worse My father\xa0\nand brother began rifling through my belongings'}, {'start': '3994.960', 'end': '4000.480', 'text': 'and turning them upside down I cried because I\xa0\nsaw them treat my possessions so disrespectfully'}, {'start': '4000.480', 'end': '4006.480', 'text': 'I implored them to stop but they did not listen\xa0\nThey said I was to blame and demanded a check'}, {'start': '4006.480', 'end': '4012.000', 'text': 'That is until security arrived It turned out that\xa0\nJanet had gone to contact security as soon as my'}, {'start': '4012.000', 'end': '4017.360', 'text': 'father and brother began disrupting the calm When\xa0\nsecurity arrived my father and brother refused to'}, {'start': '4017.360', 'end': '4021.920', 'text': 'go and attempted to resist That was a major\xa0\nmistake since the uproar became so loud that'}, {'start': '4021.920', 'end': '4026.880', 'text': 'they had to call the cops My father and brother\xa0\nare currently in jail for trespassing in my flat'}, {'start': '4026.880', 'end': '4032.800', 'text': 'and disrupting the peace They will not be released\xa0\nuntil Monday and I have already filed charges I am'}, {'start': '4032.800', 'end': '4037.360', 'text': "bringing them to court over this They've gone too\xa0\nfar and I'm not going to let them get away with"}, {'start': '4037.360', 'end': '4042.800', 'text': "it This marks the end They've gone too far and\xa0\nI'm not going to let them drag me farther into"}, {'start': '4042.800', 'end': '4048.480', 'text': 'their mess Update four I wanted to post an update\xa0\nsooner because it has been 4 months but I chose'}, {'start': '4048.480', 'end': '4054.160', 'text': 'to wait until everything was resolved Now that the\xa0\ntrial has ended I can finally tell you everything'}, {'start': '4054.160', 'end': '4058.480', 'text': 'I think many of you will be relieved to know\xa0\nthat my family received what they deserved'}, {'start': '4058.480', 'end': '4062.880', 'text': 'Starting with my brother the judge was harsh on\xa0\nhim because he had previously shoplifted and is'}, {'start': '4062.880', 'end': '4068.480', 'text': 'a repeat offender He was sentenced to one year\xa0\nin prison Unfortunately this will remain on his'}, {'start': '4068.480', 'end': '4074.160', 'text': 'record making it even more difficult for him to\xa0\nestablish a future for himself But honestly given'}, {'start': '4074.160', 'end': '4079.120', 'text': "the way he's been spending his life he had little\xa0\nchance I'm hoping that his time in jail would"}, {'start': '4079.120', 'end': '4083.680', 'text': "straighten him out and help him set priorities\xa0\nI've seen folks considerably younger than him who"}, {'start': '4083.680', 'end': '4088.480', 'text': 'have significantly more structured lives My father\xa0\nhad to pay a fee to the court and is currently on'}, {'start': '4088.480', 'end': '4094.240', 'text': "probation If he even receives a traffic ticket\xa0\nhe's done He needs to be really cautious for a"}, {'start': '4094.240', 'end': '4100.240', 'text': "time Otherwise he'll wind himself in jail Both the\xa0\njudge and the city take these transgressions very"}, {'start': '4100.240', 'end': '4105.760', 'text': 'seriously which is why they have met with severe\xa0\npunishments Now about my mother years of gluttony'}, {'start': '4105.760', 'end': '4110.240', 'text': 'and idleness have now caught up with her She is\xa0\nat high risk of heart disease due to her poor'}, {'start': '4110.240', 'end': '4115.520', 'text': 'lifestyle Because of how quickly her health is\xa0\ndeteriorating doctors estimate she has less than'}, {'start': '4115.520', 'end': '4120.720', 'text': "two years if she does not make radical adjustments\xa0\nKnowing her she probably doesn't care because she"}, {'start': '4120.720', 'end': '4125.600', 'text': 'believes she will live forever I tried for years\xa0\nto convince her to eat healthier but she never'}, {'start': '4125.600', 'end': '4131.760', 'text': 'listened so I gave up If her high cholesterol does\xa0\nnot kill her my sister most likely will Speaking'}, {'start': '4131.760', 'end': '4136.960', 'text': "of my sister she's been the talk of the town\xa0\nlately and not for the right reasons Since money"}, {'start': '4136.960', 'end': '4141.680', 'text': 'has been tight and no one is funding her lifestyle\xa0\nlonger she decided to take matters into her own'}, {'start': '4141.680', 'end': '4146.800', 'text': 'hands she somehow became acquainted with the wrong\xa0\ncrowd girls who were rumored to be selling certain'}, {'start': '4146.800', 'end': '4152.400', 'text': 'items on the street corner It is both unlawful and\xa0\nhighly harmful I heard about a week ago that she'}, {'start': '4152.400', 'end': '4157.200', 'text': "had been detained for doing something questionable\xa0\nI wouldn't be surprised if she ends herself in a"}, {'start': '4157.200', 'end': '4161.840', 'text': 'physically perilous situation as a result of her\xa0\nchosen route People have asked me to speak with'}, {'start': '4161.840', 'end': '4168.160', 'text': "her but she chose this life Honestly she probably\xa0\nthinks I'm stupid for working an honest job No"}, {'start': '4168.160', 'end': '4172.480', 'text': "insult to anyone in that business but I've\xa0\nwitnessed what some of these girls go through"}, {'start': '4172.480', 'end': '4177.920', 'text': 'There is no happy ending in sight for her only\xa0\nsubstance misuse additional jail term and perilous'}, {'start': '4177.920', 'end': '4183.680', 'text': 'situations My mother has fallen multiple times as\xa0\na result of the stress that Katrina has caused But'}, {'start': '4183.680', 'end': '4188.720', 'text': 'Katrina still lives with our parents so they are\xa0\nenabling her conduct by allowing her to be there'}, {'start': '4188.720', 'end': '4192.960', 'text': 'Even though she is making money she is definitely\xa0\nnot spending it appropriately or paying her'}, {'start': '4192.960', 'end': '4198.240', 'text': 'responsibilities You are undoubtedly wondering\xa0\nhow I know all this I found out from a credible'}, {'start': '4198.240', 'end': '4203.600', 'text': "source My parents are now receiving food stamps\xa0\nand my father's working hours have been decreased"}, {'start': '4203.600', 'end': '4209.120', 'text': 'He spends most of his time at home with my mother\xa0\nand Katrina I can only imagine how hungry everyone'}, {'start': '4209.120', 'end': '4214.160', 'text': "must be in that house right now But it isn't\xa0\nall for them In addition they must compensate"}, {'start': '4214.160', 'end': '4219.200', 'text': 'for the damage they caused to my flat I was able\xa0\nto recover the items they damaged but they still'}, {'start': '4219.200', 'end': '4224.480', 'text': 'need to pay the money the judge ordered I feel\xa0\nsad for them but not enough to intervene and help'}, {'start': '4224.480', 'end': '4231.360', 'text': "It's what it is They made their decisions and now\xa0\nthey must live with the consequences Update 5 I"}, {'start': '4231.360', 'end': '4235.600', 'text': 'have an update on several recent events and the\xa0\ntruth is that my family is falling deeper into'}, {'start': '4235.600', 'end': '4240.720', 'text': 'the troubles that as I frequently repeat they made\xa0\nfor themselves They are the type of people who try'}, {'start': '4240.720', 'end': '4245.520', 'text': "to dig themselves out of a hole I'm not sure if\xa0\nthere is a way back for them but I do know that"}, {'start': '4245.520', 'end': '4250.240', 'text': "it is not my obligation to get them out of the\xa0\nholes they've dug themselves and they keep getting"}, {'start': '4250.240', 'end': '4255.680', 'text': 'deeper To begin with my father who was supposed\xa0\nto pay for the damage he and my brother committed'}, {'start': '4255.680', 'end': '4260.880', 'text': 'in my apartment just did not do it Many of the\xa0\ncomments I received in my last update predicted'}, {'start': '4260.880', 'end': '4267.280', 'text': "this outcome and they were correct The worst part\xa0\nis that this time he didn't even try He made no"}, {'start': '4267.280', 'end': '4272.240', 'text': "effort to demonstrate his willingness to comply\xa0\nwith the judge's instruction However the judge"}, {'start': '4272.240', 'end': '4277.120', 'text': 'was correct when he cautioned that any failure\xa0\nwould result in his return to prison A sneeze may'}, {'start': '4277.120', 'end': '4282.720', 'text': "land him in jail which is exactly what occurred It\xa0\nwasn't a real sneeze but the fact that he didn't"}, {'start': '4282.720', 'end': '4287.760', 'text': 'pay what was ordered resulted in a trip to jail\xa0\nI discovered a few days ago that he is currently'}, {'start': '4287.760', 'end': '4293.120', 'text': 'serving time there The irony of the situation\xa0\nis that my father was in theory the only one'}, {'start': '4293.120', 'end': '4298.320', 'text': "working in that house I'm not sure how my mother\xa0\nwill cope without him now that he's in prison The"}, {'start': '4298.320', 'end': '4303.200', 'text': 'last time I spoke with someone close to the family\xa0\nthey said there was almost no food in the house'}, {'start': '4303.200', 'end': '4308.720', 'text': "Given my mother's health issues this is really\xa0\nfrightening But to be honest all I feel is a"}, {'start': '4308.720', 'end': '4314.080', 'text': 'frigid remoteness from the entire thing For years\xa0\nI was the one who kept that house afloat and they'}, {'start': '4314.080', 'end': '4319.360', 'text': 'emotionally and financially abused me They are\xa0\nnow paying the price for their own recklessness'}, {'start': '4319.360', 'end': '4324.640', 'text': 'On top of that my mother is alone in the house\xa0\nnot only because my father is in jail but also'}, {'start': '4324.640', 'end': '4329.280', 'text': 'because my brother and sister are now behind\xa0\nbars My brother had already been in jail for'}, {'start': '4329.280', 'end': '4335.120', 'text': 'a while as you may recall but now my sister has\xa0\njoined him Yes her business venture ended just as'}, {'start': '4335.120', 'end': '4341.520', 'text': 'expected She was arrested Everyone saw it coming\xa0\nexcept her Her condition worsened when she began'}, {'start': '4341.520', 'end': '4346.720', 'text': 'using in addition to selling leaving her even more\xa0\nvulnerable and without much judgment An undercover'}, {'start': '4346.720', 'end': '4351.840', 'text': 'detective caught her in the act putting an end to\xa0\nher attempt to maintain an unsustainable lifestyle'}, {'start': '4351.840', 'end': '4356.880', 'text': "Now she's awaiting trial but I don't think she'll\xa0\ncome out unscathed The worst aspect is that she"}, {'start': '4356.880', 'end': '4362.080', 'text': 'cannot afford professional counsel Therefore she\xa0\nis represented by a public defender I do not mean'}, {'start': '4362.080', 'end': '4367.520', 'text': "to be unkind but I do not see much hope for her\xa0\nAs for my mother I honestly don't know what will"}, {'start': '4367.520', 'end': '4372.800', 'text': 'happen to her life now She is staying in the house\xa0\nthat previously housed five people but it is now'}, {'start': '4372.800', 'end': '4378.400', 'text': 'completely empty My father is in prison My sister\xa0\nis awaiting trial and my brother has already'}, {'start': '4378.400', 'end': '4383.920', 'text': 'served time The house is emptied and the saddest\xa0\nthing is that she has no one to care for her'}, {'start': '4383.920', 'end': '4389.040', 'text': 'For years she did nothing but rely on others to\xa0\nbring her money and food She can scarcely leave'}, {'start': '4389.040', 'end': '4394.560', 'text': "the house anymore due to her health difficulties\xa0\nI'm not sure how she'll survive I know they get"}, {'start': '4394.560', 'end': '4400.960', 'text': "food stamps but that isn't enough to survive on In\xa0\nshort my family has entirely disintegrated All I"}, {'start': '4400.960', 'end': '4407.120', 'text': 'have left is my peace And while it may sound harsh\xa0\nI do not regret having removed myself Update six'}, {'start': '4407.120', 'end': '4412.880', 'text': "I feel horrible for having to deliver bad news\xa0\nbut it's no longer my bad news It's my families"}, {'start': '4412.880', 'end': '4417.360', 'text': "Despite the fact that everything is unfolding in\xa0\nslow motion I can't help but feel relieved that"}, {'start': '4417.360', 'end': '4423.280', 'text': "I am not personally involved in this disaster To\xa0\nbegin I have finally regained my money It wasn't"}, {'start': '4423.280', 'end': '4428.880', 'text': "an easy process and as expected my father didn't\xa0\nhave the money to pay me The only reason dad"}, {'start': '4428.880', 'end': '4433.440', 'text': 'ultimately did was because my mother had to take\xa0\nout a loan to bail him out of jail The fact that'}, {'start': '4433.440', 'end': '4438.160', 'text': 'my father was in jail for contempt made matters\xa0\neven more problematic but she eventually received'}, {'start': '4438.160', 'end': '4443.760', 'text': "the money after considerable work Of course it was\xa0\nnot her own idea but rather my mother's desperate"}, {'start': '4443.760', 'end': '4448.880', 'text': "desire to get my father out of jail My father's\xa0\nrelease from jail is arguably the only bright"}, {'start': '4448.880', 'end': '4453.760', 'text': 'aspect of this predicament During this period\xa0\nmy mother had been living with a relative while'}, {'start': '4453.760', 'end': '4458.560', 'text': "attempting to resolve my father's legal issues\xa0\nShe left the house for an extended period of"}, {'start': '4458.560', 'end': '4463.840', 'text': 'time and as one might imagine it was abandoned\xa0\nNow the neighborhood we lived in was never'}, {'start': '4463.840', 'end': '4469.680', 'text': 'ideal particularly for leaving a house unsecured\xa0\nApparently it has been vandalized and completely'}, {'start': '4469.680', 'end': '4474.560', 'text': "looted The most worrisome aspect is that according\xa0\nto what I've been informed there are people living"}, {'start': '4474.560', 'end': '4480.160', 'text': 'there now People who from what I understand\xa0\nmay be previous clients of my sister The fact'}, {'start': '4480.160', 'end': '4484.880', 'text': 'that people are squatting within the house is only\xa0\nthe beginning of the problem Still if my parents'}, {'start': '4484.880', 'end': '4490.240', 'text': "are able to remove them which I doubt will be easy\xa0\nI'm not sure whether what remains is still a house"}, {'start': '4490.240', 'end': '4494.720', 'text': 'It bothers me to think about the state of the\xa0\nplace I once called home Especially since I put'}, {'start': '4494.720', 'end': '4499.520', 'text': 'so much time and effort into keeping it up when I\xa0\nwas still living there But at the end of the day'}, {'start': '4499.520', 'end': '4505.760', 'text': "it is no longer my home It's not in my name and\xa0\nit's not my responsibility to solve it My parents"}, {'start': '4505.760', 'end': '4511.040', 'text': 'will have to face this on their own My siblings\xa0\ncontinue to serve their sentences There have been'}, {'start': '4511.040', 'end': '4515.760', 'text': 'little updates on that front What surprises me\xa0\nthe most about all of this is how quickly the'}, {'start': '4515.760', 'end': '4521.040', 'text': "situation deteriorated after my departure It's as\xa0\nif my departure was the final nail in the coffin"}, {'start': '4521.040', 'end': '4528.160', 'text': "of a scenario that was already decaying from\xa0\nwithin My sister-in-law's DNA kit to ruin my"}, {'start': '4528.160', 'end': '4533.040', 'text': "marriage backfired when her son's test revealed\xa0\nshocking truths about her own family I met my"}, {'start': '4533.040', 'end': '4538.800', 'text': 'husband James in our late 20s and we soon fell in\xa0\nlove We married after 2 years of dating and have'}, {'start': '4538.800', 'end': '4544.160', 'text': 'had a lovely and quiet life together ever since\xa0\nWe welcomed our gorgeous kid Nathan and felt like'}, {'start': '4544.160', 'end': '4549.920', 'text': 'the ideal family I felt nothing could separate us\xa0\nuntil Sarah my sister-in-law decided to poke her'}, {'start': '4549.920', 'end': '4555.680', 'text': 'nose into our life Sarah and I have never gotten\xa0\nalong From the minute James introduced me to her'}, {'start': '4555.680', 'end': '4560.400', 'text': "it was evident that we were not going to get\xa0\nalong I'm not saying I didn't try but Sarah"}, {'start': '4560.400', 'end': '4565.120', 'text': 'made no effort to care She accused me of wanting\xa0\nto overshadow her at her wedding because I was'}, {'start': '4565.120', 'end': '4570.640', 'text': 'dressed in a cream colored gown To clarify Sarah\xa0\nintentionally chose cream colored outfits for all'}, {'start': '4570.640', 'end': '4576.560', 'text': 'of her bridesmaids However on her special day\xa0\nit became about me stealing her spotlight From'}, {'start': '4576.560', 'end': '4582.240', 'text': 'then on it was a never-ending game of sarcastic\xa0\nremarks backhanded compliments and petty behavior'}, {'start': '4582.240', 'end': '4586.880', 'text': 'If I wore a new dress Sarah would say "It\'s\xa0\ncute but I liked it better when I saw it in the'}, {'start': '4586.880', 'end': '4592.240', 'text': "store last year If Nathan accomplished something\xa0\nshe'd minimize it by comparing him to her own son"}, {'start': '4592.240', 'end': '4598.000', 'text': 'Tommy." Despite this James and I always attempted\xa0\nto ignore Sarah\'s petty behavior We wanted Nathan'}, {'start': '4598.000', 'end': '4603.440', 'text': 'and Tommy to grow up as closest siblings Things\xa0\nhowever took a nasty turn this past Christmas when'}, {'start': '4603.440', 'end': '4608.560', 'text': 'Sarah decided to create havoc in an unexpected\xa0\nway For Christmas she gave Nathan one of those'}, {'start': '4608.560', 'end': '4614.160', 'text': "popular DNA test kits At first I didn't think\xa0\nmuch about it Nathan has always been interested"}, {'start': '4614.160', 'end': '4619.360', 'text': 'in science and enjoyed knowing about his family\xa0\nhistory Nonetheless it was not a typical present'}, {'start': '4619.360', 'end': '4625.200', 'text': 'for a child That night James approached me\xa0\nprivately He told me Sarah had made some weird'}, {'start': '4625.200', 'end': '4630.000', 'text': 'almost cryptic comments to him such as "It\'s\xa0\nabout time you got some answers and the truth'}, {'start': '4630.000', 'end': '4635.760', 'text': "always comes out It didn't take long for me to put\xa0\nthe pieces together Nathan has green eyes whereas"}, {'start': '4635.760', 'end': '4640.880', 'text': 'James and I have brown ones." Of course anyone\xa0\nwith a basic understanding of genetics is aware'}, {'start': '4640.880', 'end': '4645.840', 'text': 'that recessive features such as green eyes can\xa0\npass down through generations But Sarah had been'}, {'start': '4645.840', 'end': '4650.400', 'text': "making subtle passive aggressive statements for\xa0\nyears implying that James might not be Nathan's"}, {'start': '4650.400', 'end': '4657.280', 'text': 'father I was infuriated Not only was she awful to\xa0\nus but she was also involved with my son We agreed'}, {'start': '4657.280', 'end': '4661.600', 'text': 'to allow Nathan to take the test if he wanted to\xa0\nknowing that the findings would confirm what we'}, {'start': '4661.600', 'end': '4667.600', 'text': 'already knew Nathan is our son and the test would\xa0\nreveal nothing more Nathan was enthusiastic about'}, {'start': '4667.600', 'end': '4673.600', 'text': 'the science underlying the DNA test He was excited\xa0\nto learn about his lineage and family roots So we'}, {'start': '4673.600', 'end': '4679.200', 'text': "assisted him with the process and he completed\xa0\nthe test Meanwhile Sarah's son Tommy had been"}, {'start': '4679.200', 'end': '4685.120', 'text': 'observing everything with great curiosity Tommy\xa0\na curious 14-year-old decided he wanted to take a'}, {'start': '4685.120', 'end': '4690.800', 'text': "DNA test too Sarah's husband Todd thought it would\xa0\nmake a good family activity so they got a kit"}, {'start': '4690.800', 'end': '4696.720', 'text': 'for him as well What began as harmless curiosity\xa0\nquickly escalated into a family nightmare Nathan'}, {'start': '4696.720', 'end': '4702.560', 'text': 'received his results a few weeks later Everything\xa0\nwas as expected James was clearly his father but'}, {'start': '4702.560', 'end': '4707.760', 'text': "then we got the shock of our lives When Tommy's\xa0\nresults arrived it was discovered that Todd was"}, {'start': '4707.760', 'end': '4714.800', 'text': "not his biological father Sarah had an affair and\xa0\nTommy was not Todd's child Todd was devastated He"}, {'start': '4714.800', 'end': '4720.640', 'text': 'had reared Tommy as his own unaware that Sarah had\xa0\nbeen unfaithful To make matters worse Todd sought'}, {'start': '4720.640', 'end': '4725.360', 'text': 'a paternity test for their younger daughter\xa0\nwho was just seven The results confirmed his'}, {'start': '4725.360', 'end': '4731.280', 'text': "greatest fears He wasn't her father either Sarah's\xa0\nlife was collapsing in front of her eyes and it"}, {'start': '4731.280', 'end': '4737.200', 'text': 'was not a quiet or private collapse The entire\xa0\nfamily found out and the consequences were harsh'}, {'start': '4737.200', 'end': '4742.720', 'text': 'Todd filed for divorce and left the house within\xa0\na few days The irony of the situation was hard to'}, {'start': '4742.720', 'end': '4747.920', 'text': "ignore Sarah's attempt to undermine my marriage\xa0\nexposed her own lies Tommy was the person who"}, {'start': '4747.920', 'end': '4754.080', 'text': 'suffered the most Nathan was also infected He and\xa0\nTommy had always been close and seeing his cousin'}, {'start': '4754.080', 'end': '4759.200', 'text': "suffer through this upset him terribly He began\xa0\nasking questions about why Tommy's father was no"}, {'start': '4759.200', 'end': '4763.680', 'text': "longer present and it hurt my heart to hear\xa0\nhow concerned he was for his cousin Sarah's"}, {'start': '4763.680', 'end': '4769.360', 'text': "life deteriorated over time Todd pressed for full\xa0\ncustody of the children seeking to limit Sarah's"}, {'start': '4769.360', 'end': '4774.560', 'text': 'involvement in their lives Sarah was a wreck at\xa0\nfamily gatherings with a pale face and red eyes'}, {'start': '4774.560', 'end': '4780.960', 'text': 'from crying She appeared defeated Sarah contacted\xa0\nme one day and requested assistance She wanted me'}, {'start': '4780.960', 'end': '4785.920', 'text': 'to talk to Todd and persuade him to lighten off on\xa0\nthe custody agreement She was trying to save what'}, {'start': '4785.920', 'end': '4791.520', 'text': 'was left of her relationship with her children\xa0\nand turned to me for advice At first I was stunned'}, {'start': '4791.520', 'end': '4795.760', 'text': 'How could she have the arrogance to ask for my\xa0\nhelp after everything she had done to destroy my'}, {'start': '4795.760', 'end': '4801.440', 'text': 'marriage and cause havoc at every opportunity At\xa0\nfirst I ignored her calls and refused to aid her'}, {'start': '4801.440', 'end': '4807.680', 'text': 'But as the days passed I found myself wondering\xa0\nabout Tommy He was the real victim in all of this'}, {'start': '4807.680', 'end': '4812.720', 'text': 'Despite the fact that none of it was his fault\xa0\nhe bore the brunt of the pain James of course'}, {'start': '4812.720', 'end': '4817.920', 'text': 'warned me to keep out of it He was confident Sarah\xa0\nhad made her bed and would now have to lie in it'}, {'start': '4817.920', 'end': '4822.160', 'text': 'Part of me wondered whether I could help\xa0\nthe youngsters involved find some serenity'}, {'start': '4822.160', 'end': '4827.200', 'text': "It was not their fault that their mother made\xa0\npoor decisions So I'm at a crossroads confused"}, {'start': '4827.200', 'end': '4832.560', 'text': 'about what to do Should I help Sarah or let her\xa0\nsuffer the repercussions of her actions What'}, {'start': '4832.560', 'end': '4837.760', 'text': 'would you do in my position Update one I wanted\xa0\nto provide an update on what has occurred since'}, {'start': '4837.760', 'end': '4843.200', 'text': 'my previous post and I hope it puts some light on\xa0\nthe complex situation we are dealing with Sarah'}, {'start': '4843.200', 'end': '4848.800', 'text': "continues phoning me and it's becoming exhausting\xa0\nI expected her to cool down or back off soon but"}, {'start': '4848.800', 'end': '4854.320', 'text': "she hasn't She's relentless On one especially\xa0\nhorrible day she called me three times in a"}, {'start': '4854.320', 'end': '4859.680', 'text': "row leaving lengthy sobbing voicemails I could\xa0\nhear the despair in her voice but I couldn't feel"}, {'start': '4859.680', 'end': '4865.600', 'text': "much pity At one point my husband James became\xa0\nso frustrated that he couldn't take it anymore He"}, {'start': '4865.600', 'end': '4871.200', 'text': 'called her himself James rarely loses his temper\xa0\nso when he called I knew things had gotten out'}, {'start': '4871.200', 'end': '4876.480', 'text': 'of hand From across the room I could hear his\xa0\nvoice as he snapped telling her he was tired of'}, {'start': '4876.480', 'end': '4882.880', 'text': "her insulting me and manipulating our family After\xa0\nthat chat things became worse Sarah's tone changed"}, {'start': '4882.880', 'end': '4888.400', 'text': 'again She began sending me multiple text messages\xa0\nalternating between pleading for my assistance and'}, {'start': '4888.400', 'end': '4893.280', 'text': 'accusing me of attempting to ruin her life She\xa0\nwas pleading for my help telling me how much she'}, {'start': '4893.280', 'end': '4898.400', 'text': 'wanted me to talk to Todd and repair things The\xa0\nnext thing I knew she was calling me manipulative'}, {'start': '4898.400', 'end': '4903.360', 'text': 'alleging I was jealous of her and her family and\xa0\nintended to destroy her marriage Throughout all'}, {'start': '4903.360', 'end': '4907.920', 'text': 'my main focus has been the children They are\xa0\ninnocent in all of this but they are suffering'}, {'start': '4907.920', 'end': '4913.440', 'text': "the most I can't quit thinking about Tommy and\xa0\nNathan Tommy's real father's identity must have"}, {'start': '4913.440', 'end': '4918.480', 'text': "been traumatic to him and it's evident he's having\xa0\ndifficulty processing it It's difficult for me to"}, {'start': '4918.480', 'end': '4923.760', 'text': "see him suffer through this without being able to\xa0\nhelp Nathan on the other hand isn't sure what's"}, {'start': '4923.760', 'end': '4928.720', 'text': "going on but feels something isn't right We have\xa0\nexplained it to him but he is still too young to"}, {'start': '4928.720', 'end': '4933.920', 'text': 'understand anything We had a family gathering a\xa0\nfew days ago and Nathan wanted to play with Tommy'}, {'start': '4933.920', 'end': '4940.320', 'text': 'like he did before They used to be quite close\xa0\ninseparable actually However when Tommy arrived he'}, {'start': '4940.320', 'end': '4945.920', 'text': 'was distant quiet and scarcely engaged with Nathan\xa0\nNathan wanted to play with him but I had to make'}, {'start': '4945.920', 'end': '4951.840', 'text': 'excuses explaining that Tommy was weary Meanwhile\xa0\nSarah continues to write me these long theatrical'}, {'start': '4951.840', 'end': '4957.680', 'text': "notes She messaged me yesterday stating she felt\xa0\nbetrayed by our family I don't see how someone who"}, {'start': '4957.680', 'end': '4962.560', 'text': 'was unfaithful might feel betrayed Yet she still\xa0\nappears unable to accept responsibility for her'}, {'start': '4962.560', 'end': '4969.520', 'text': "actions It's always someone else's fault Mine\xa0\nJames's Todd's and never hers James believes we"}, {'start': '4969.520', 'end': '4975.120', 'text': 'should step in and assist Tommy especially because\xa0\nhe and Nathan are so close However he is also'}, {'start': '4975.120', 'end': '4979.920', 'text': "concerned about the ramifications of being too\xa0\ninvolved in Sarah's situation We've been trying to"}, {'start': '4979.920', 'end': '4984.480', 'text': 'strike a delicate balance between supporting the\xa0\nchildren and maintaining our personal tranquility'}, {'start': '4984.480', 'end': '4989.520', 'text': "but it's been more difficult than we expected Todd\xa0\nhas begun to contact James further complicating"}, {'start': '4989.520', 'end': '4994.560', 'text': "the situation He's been trying to figure out\xa0\nwhat happened and wanted to chat about it James"}, {'start': '4994.560', 'end': '4999.920', 'text': 'reluctantly agreed to meet him for coffee When\xa0\nhe returned he appeared more conflicted than ever'}, {'start': '4999.920', 'end': '5005.520', 'text': 'Todd is naturally devastated He told James that he\xa0\nfeels like his entire life has been a lie and he'}, {'start': '5005.520', 'end': '5010.160', 'text': 'is now trying to figure out how to co-parent with\xa0\nSarah after everything that has occurred Talking'}, {'start': '5010.160', 'end': '5015.680', 'text': 'with Todd simply made James feel more torn Todd\xa0\nis a kind man who is only trying to do his best'}, {'start': '5015.680', 'end': '5021.600', 'text': "for his children despite his awful situation After\xa0\nhearing Todd's point of view James feels even more"}, {'start': '5021.600', 'end': '5026.720', 'text': 'divided about how to proceed He wants to help but\xa0\nwe both know that getting too involved will drag'}, {'start': '5026.720', 'end': '5032.400', 'text': "us deeper into Sarah's chaos It's difficult to\xa0\ndetermine what the appropriate decision is Every"}, {'start': '5032.400', 'end': '5038.000', 'text': "time I see Tommy I have an intense desire to help\xa0\nhim He's simply a child caught up in this mess and"}, {'start': '5038.000', 'end': '5043.360', 'text': "he doesn't deserve it Nathan continues asking why\xa0\nTommy always appears so sad and it kills my heart"}, {'start': '5043.360', 'end': '5048.160', 'text': "that I can't give him an honest reason The more\xa0\nI think about it the more divided I am between"}, {'start': '5048.160', 'end': '5053.280', 'text': "wanting to intervene and being terrified of being\xa0\ndrawn into Sarah's tumultuous world At the end of"}, {'start': '5053.280', 'end': '5058.960', 'text': 'the day all I want is to safeguard the kids Tommy\xa0\nand Nathan deserve more and it hurts to see them'}, {'start': '5058.960', 'end': '5064.080', 'text': "suffer as a result of their parents' sins I don't\xa0\nknow what the future holds but I'm hoping we can"}, {'start': '5064.080', 'end': '5069.200', 'text': "find a way to resolve this without causing further\xa0\nharm I'll keep you updated on what occurs and once"}, {'start': '5069.200', 'end': '5075.760', 'text': 'again thank you for your ongoing support Update\xa0\ntwo A lot has transpired in the last several days'}, {'start': '5075.760', 'end': '5081.280', 'text': "so brace yourself It's been a lot for all of\xa0\nus and I'm not sure how much more I can take"}, {'start': '5081.280', 'end': '5085.920', 'text': 'First and foremost Sarah chose to proceed\xa0\nwith an official medical paternity test'}, {'start': '5085.920', 'end': '5090.480', 'text': 'She was dissatisfied with the results of the\xa0\nhome DNA kit arguing it was not a reputable'}, {'start': '5090.480', 'end': '5095.600', 'text': 'source for making such a critical decision To\xa0\nbe fair home tests have a margin of error and'}, {'start': '5095.600', 'end': '5100.400', 'text': 'I suppose she was hanging on to what little\xa0\nhope she had left However the results did not'}, {'start': '5100.400', 'end': '5106.240', 'text': "change The medical paternity test verified the\xa0\nprevious one's results Todd is not Tommy's or"}, {'start': '5106.240', 'end': '5111.760', 'text': "his daughter's father Sarah simply dug herself\xa0\nan even deeper hole I was not surprised by the"}, {'start': '5111.760', 'end': '5117.360', 'text': 'conclusion but there was no space for uncertainty\xa0\nTodd in particular appeared to be bracing himself'}, {'start': '5117.360', 'end': '5122.160', 'text': 'for the worst Yet when the medical results\xa0\narrived I could tell he was still devastated'}, {'start': '5122.160', 'end': '5127.280', 'text': "He appeared crushed as if the last fiber of hope\xa0\nhe'd been holding on to had been wrenched away He"}, {'start': '5127.280', 'end': '5131.760', 'text': "had previously told James that he didn't expect\xa0\nany miracles but there was always a small part"}, {'start': '5131.760', 'end': '5137.040', 'text': 'of him that hoped the test was incorrect Todd\xa0\nbecame more withdrawn after receiving the news'}, {'start': '5137.040', 'end': '5141.360', 'text': 'Todd apparently began researching after obtaining\xa0\nthe results and tracked down the individual with'}, {'start': '5141.360', 'end': '5145.840', 'text': "whom Sarah was allegedly having an affair\xa0\nTodd told James that this man was Sarah's"}, {'start': '5145.840', 'end': '5150.800', 'text': 'coworker He had suspected their relationship\xa0\nfor a long time but Sarah always dismissed'}, {'start': '5150.800', 'end': '5156.160', 'text': 'it claiming it was only workrelated Todd now\xa0\nunderstood everything He remembered Sarah and'}, {'start': '5156.160', 'end': '5160.640', 'text': 'this man being abnormally close attending work\xa0\nparties together and messaging late into the'}, {'start': '5160.640', 'end': '5165.920', 'text': 'night She was continuously making explanations\xa0\nassuring Todd that it was something innocent'}, {'start': '5165.920', 'end': '5171.120', 'text': 'But suddenly it seemed that all of our suspicions\xa0\nwere being confirmed Todd decided to face him'}, {'start': '5171.120', 'end': '5176.160', 'text': 'He traced him down to his residence and entered\xa0\nwithout alerting anyone Todd according to what I'}, {'start': '5176.160', 'end': '5182.160', 'text': 'learned later was not in a healthy mental state He\xa0\nwas upset angry and searching for answers Things'}, {'start': '5182.160', 'end': '5187.840', 'text': 'suddenly got out of control The man initially\xa0\ndisputed everything but Todd refused to accept it'}, {'start': '5187.840', 'end': '5193.040', 'text': "It quickly escalated into a shouting confrontation\xa0\nand it wasn't long before it became physical"}, {'start': '5193.040', 'end': '5198.000', 'text': 'Neighbors heard the disturbance and phoned the\xa0\ncops By the time authorities arrived Todd and'}, {'start': '5198.000', 'end': '5204.160', 'text': "the man had been bruised Todd was arrested for\xa0\nassault and now faces prosecution It's a mess"}, {'start': '5204.160', 'end': '5209.200', 'text': 'James had to travel to the police station\xa0\nto assist Todd He posted bond but Todd is'}, {'start': '5209.200', 'end': '5214.160', 'text': 'now facing major legal issues He claims that the\xa0\nfight was provoked but this will be difficult to'}, {'start': '5214.160', 'end': '5218.960', 'text': "prove in court This whole thing is spiraling\xa0\nout of hand and I can't help but believe it's"}, {'start': '5218.960', 'end': '5224.160', 'text': "all because of Sarah's decision to keep the truth\xa0\nhidden for so long Todd is breaking down and it's"}, {'start': '5224.160', 'end': '5229.440', 'text': 'heartbreaking to witness someone who was always so\xa0\ncollected breakdown like this Meanwhile Sarah is'}, {'start': '5229.440', 'end': '5234.560', 'text': 'urgently trying to contain the damage but it is\xa0\nfar too late Todd has petitioned for full custody'}, {'start': '5234.560', 'end': '5240.240', 'text': "of the children Sarah is in a panic She's trying\xa0\nto persuade everyone that Todd is the problem"}, {'start': '5240.240', 'end': '5245.440', 'text': "referring to him as a psychopath and citing the\xa0\nfight as proof of his instability and danger She's"}, {'start': '5245.440', 'end': '5250.320', 'text': "frightened Todd will take the kids away and she's\xa0\nlashing out at everybody who doesn't support her"}, {'start': '5250.320', 'end': '5254.400', 'text': 'Todd has been talking of moving to another state\xa0\nwith the kids to put some distance between them'}, {'start': '5254.400', 'end': '5259.840', 'text': 'and Sarah He believes the children deserve a\xa0\nfresh start away from the mayhem but I am not'}, {'start': '5259.840', 'end': '5265.040', 'text': 'sure I appreciate his desire to protect kids but\xa0\nseparating them from everything they know could be'}, {'start': '5265.040', 'end': '5271.200', 'text': 'more harmful than beneficial Legally it will be a\xa0\ndifficult battle When I last saw Sarah she looked'}, {'start': '5271.200', 'end': '5276.080', 'text': "like she hadn't slept in days Her eyes were red\xa0\nand swollen and she kept saying that everything"}, {'start': '5276.080', 'end': '5281.200', 'text': 'was coming apart that everyone was attempting to\xa0\ntake her children away It seemed as if she were'}, {'start': '5281.200', 'end': '5287.280', 'text': 'experiencing a panic attack Even so she continues\xa0\nto regard herself as the victim in all of this At'}, {'start': '5287.280', 'end': '5292.000', 'text': "this point I believe we have no choice but to\xa0\nbecome involved We're already caught up in this"}, {'start': '5292.000', 'end': '5296.800', 'text': 'mess whether we like it or not James believes we\xa0\nshould back Todd and assist him with the legal'}, {'start': '5296.800', 'end': '5301.440', 'text': 'issues he is experiencing especially since Todd\xa0\nappears to be the more stable father in all of'}, {'start': '5301.440', 'end': '5307.040', 'text': "this which I think is a great idea I'll keep you\xa0\nposted as things go but for the time being we're"}, {'start': '5307.040', 'end': '5312.160', 'text': "simply holding on and hoping for a resolution that\xa0\ndoesn't absolutely wreck these children's lives"}, {'start': '5312.160', 'end': '5317.920', 'text': "Update three I have a lot to say regarding all\xa0\nthat has transpired since my last post First let's"}, {'start': '5317.920', 'end': '5322.960', 'text': 'discuss Todd and the man Sarah had an affair with\xa0\nYou already know how Todd was detained after the'}, {'start': '5322.960', 'end': '5328.480', 'text': 'confrontation became physical Initially we believe\xa0\nTodd might face significant assault charges but'}, {'start': '5328.480', 'end': '5333.600', 'text': 'the man opted not to press charges Todd told us\xa0\nthat this man wants to disassociate himself from'}, {'start': '5333.600', 'end': '5339.120', 'text': 'the entire affair He undoubtedly realized that\xa0\ngetting engaged may make matters worse for him'}, {'start': '5339.120', 'end': '5343.920', 'text': 'both personally and professionally Although this\xa0\nindividual admitted to the affair when the police'}, {'start': '5343.920', 'end': '5349.360', 'text': 'arrived he has since severed relations with both\xa0\nTodd and Sarah In some ways that chapter of the'}, {'start': '5349.360', 'end': '5354.000', 'text': 'story has come to an end which I believe is\xa0\nfor the best Todd does not need to continue'}, {'start': '5354.000', 'end': '5358.880', 'text': 'battling with someone who clearly has no regard\xa0\nfor the consequences of his actions Many people'}, {'start': '5358.880', 'end': '5363.760', 'text': "have questioned me about Tommy's sister and why\xa0\nI haven't said more about her She's like Nathan"}, {'start': '5363.760', 'end': '5368.560', 'text': "She's been informed what's going on but doesn't\xa0\ncompletely comprehend it Outwardly she does not"}, {'start': '5368.560', 'end': '5373.840', 'text': 'appear to be as impacted Deep down I believe\xa0\nshe is mourning in her own way but she has not'}, {'start': '5373.840', 'end': '5379.680', 'text': "voiced it as much as Tommy has Tommy is older and\xa0\nmore mature so he understands what's going on and"}, {'start': '5379.680', 'end': '5384.640', 'text': "it appears to be hitting him harder That's why I\xa0\nfocused more on him even though both children are"}, {'start': '5384.640', 'end': '5389.760', 'text': "plainly victims of their mother's behavior James\xa0\nand I are here to support both of them regardless"}, {'start': '5389.760', 'end': '5395.280', 'text': "of who their parents are Tommy's situation\xa0\nhas deteriorated significantly Some students"}, {'start': '5395.280', 'end': '5400.480', 'text': "at his school have started bullying him which has\xa0\nresulted in fights It doesn't help that Sarah is"}, {'start': '5400.480', 'end': '5405.360', 'text': "flooding his mind with beliefs that everything is\xa0\nhis father's fault Tommy knows his mother cheated"}, {'start': '5405.360', 'end': '5410.400', 'text': 'on Todd and that Todd is not his real father\xa0\nDespite this Sarah has told him she did it because'}, {'start': '5410.400', 'end': '5415.280', 'text': 'Todd was mean to her This demonstrates that she\xa0\nwould sooner ruin and divide her family than fight'}, {'start': '5415.280', 'end': '5422.560', 'text': 'for it That is in my opinion an awful thing to say\xa0\nTodd thus far has fought for his children All he'}, {'start': '5422.560', 'end': '5427.360', 'text': 'wants is to get away from Sarah which anyone\xa0\ncan understand given how manipulative devious'}, {'start': '5427.360', 'end': '5432.480', 'text': "and unfaithful she is I don't understand how the\xa0\nperson who caused so much pain and turmoil can"}, {'start': '5432.480', 'end': '5437.360', 'text': "portray herself as a victim while continuing to\xa0\ndamage the lives of others But I suppose it's in"}, {'start': '5437.360', 'end': '5442.000', 'text': 'her nature She did what she did because she is a\xa0\nhorrible person who would continue to act this way'}, {'start': '5442.000', 'end': '5446.960', 'text': 'to the end hoping to gain something from it all\xa0\nto make herself feel better This is yet another'}, {'start': '5446.960', 'end': '5451.920', 'text': 'reason why James and I believe a child should\xa0\nnot grow up with an unfaithful parent It is the'}, {'start': '5451.920', 'end': '5456.880', 'text': 'worst possible model and influence for proper\xa0\nupbringing We hope Todd gets complete custody'}, {'start': '5456.880', 'end': '5461.920', 'text': 'because if Tommy continues to be affected by his\xa0\nmother things will not go well for him His younger'}, {'start': '5461.920', 'end': '5466.000', 'text': 'sister will suffer considerably more because she\xa0\nis still young and does not completely comprehend'}, {'start': '5466.000', 'end': '5471.920', 'text': "what is going on Over time Sarah is likely to\xa0\nmanipulate her and turn her against Todd There's"}, {'start': '5471.920', 'end': '5476.320', 'text': "also a potential she'll end up acting like Sarah\xa0\nbelieving her actions weren't that horrible and"}, {'start': '5476.320', 'end': '5481.920', 'text': "blaming others At this time both James and I are\xa0\ncompletely on Todd's side and the children's as"}, {'start': '5481.920', 'end': '5487.200', 'text': 'well First Todd truly wants to be a good father\xa0\nto them But we also believe that neither Sarah'}, {'start': '5487.200', 'end': '5492.240', 'text': 'nor the original father is what the children need\xa0\nTheir best hope right now is with Todd and will'}, {'start': '5492.240', 'end': '5497.920', 'text': 'help all three of them in any way we can Even the\xa0\nwhole of James family including my in-laws is on'}, {'start': '5497.920', 'end': '5504.080', 'text': "Todd's side Sarah's parents are not pleased with\xa0\nwhat she has done For example the other day we"}, {'start': '5504.080', 'end': '5509.440', 'text': 'chose not to attend a family gathering On the one\xa0\nhand we had another commitment but we also wanted'}, {'start': '5509.440', 'end': '5514.240', 'text': 'to escape the turmoil surrounding Sarah and it was\xa0\nhard to watch Nathan go through everything Tommy'}, {'start': '5514.240', 'end': '5520.080', 'text': 'is going through At the occasion Sarah began with\xa0\nher customary monologue attempting to portray Todd'}, {'start': '5520.080', 'end': '5524.400', 'text': "as the story's villain But my father-in-law\xa0\nintervened and told her to stop because she"}, {'start': '5524.400', 'end': '5529.120', 'text': 'was only inflicting more harm and sorrow to\xa0\neveryone He pointed at Tommy who was sitting'}, {'start': '5529.120', 'end': '5534.320', 'text': 'across the room and asked "Don\'t you understand\xa0\nthe consequences of your mistakes Don\'t you see'}, {'start': '5534.320', 'end': '5540.160', 'text': "how you're still hurting everyone Your children\xa0\nand we do not deserve this Accept your mistakes"}, {'start': '5540.160', 'end': '5545.200', 'text': 'and behave maturely My mother-in-law then went on\xa0\nto say that she had not trained her to act this'}, {'start': '5545.200', 'end': '5550.000', 'text': 'way and hoped her granddaughter would not follow\xa0\nin her footsteps Sarah threatened to leave the'}, {'start': '5550.000', 'end': '5555.120', 'text': 'event with the children but no one in the family\xa0\nsupported her decision My father-in-law said she'}, {'start': '5555.120', 'end': '5559.920', 'text': 'could leave if she wished but the grandchildren\xa0\nwould stay He told her that both kids needed to'}, {'start': '5559.920', 'end': '5563.920', 'text': 'stay away from the commotion she had started and\xa0\nwas still causing around her and that he would'}, {'start': '5563.920', 'end': '5570.080', 'text': 'bring them back later Sarah left and the children\xa0\nstayed to play Later my father-in-law called Todd'}, {'start': '5570.080', 'end': '5574.800', 'text': "to invite him to spend the day with them and\xa0\nhe didn't hesitate My father-in-law reported"}, {'start': '5574.800', 'end': '5580.240', 'text': "the kids seemed considerably better but it wasn't\xa0\na miracle cure Still being separated from their"}, {'start': '5580.240', 'end': '5584.000', 'text': 'mother is the greatest thing for them right now\xa0\nbecause her poison is hurting them something'}, {'start': '5584.000', 'end': '5589.760', 'text': "no one in the family wants except obviously\xa0\nSarah Sarah doesn't appear to care about her"}, {'start': '5589.760', 'end': '5595.280', 'text': 'children only about how she is seen and not losing\xa0\nanything A true mother would not use these games'}, {'start': '5595.280', 'end': '5600.560', 'text': 'to harm her children Instead she would endeavor\xa0\nto protect them from everything However a mother'}, {'start': '5600.560', 'end': '5607.520', 'text': 'would not have cheated on her spouse Still here\xa0\nwe are Update four With the newest developments'}, {'start': '5607.520', 'end': '5612.400', 'text': 'involving my sister-in-law and her children\xa0\nbetter times are on the horizon for this family'}, {'start': '5612.400', 'end': '5617.520', 'text': 'To begin my sister-in-law discovered Todd had been\xa0\ninvited to my in-laws house after she had departed'}, {'start': '5617.520', 'end': '5621.920', 'text': 'and she was not pleased She went to my in-laws\xa0\nhouse and challenged them because she believes'}, {'start': '5621.920', 'end': '5626.560', 'text': "they should be on her side rather than Todd's My\xa0\nin-laws stated that they would always side with"}, {'start': '5626.560', 'end': '5631.840', 'text': 'the children in this case and that if Todd was\xa0\nbeneficial to them they would support him This in'}, {'start': '5631.840', 'end': '5637.280', 'text': "some ways fueled Sarah's rage After shouting she\xa0\ngrabbed an item from the front garden and flung"}, {'start': '5637.280', 'end': '5643.120', 'text': "it at her parents' car window To summarize it's a\xa0\ndistinct issue My father-in-law sued her and she"}, {'start': '5643.120', 'end': '5648.800', 'text': "had to pay for the window I mention this because\xa0\nit is relevant to the custody case later on Todd's"}, {'start': '5648.800', 'end': '5653.680', 'text': 'divorce went fairly smoothly There was ample\xa0\nevidence that Sarah had been unfaithful Therefore'}, {'start': '5653.680', 'end': '5659.360', 'text': 'Todd came out top in the divorce However no one\xa0\nreally wins in a divorce especially one prompted'}, {'start': '5659.360', 'end': '5664.960', 'text': 'by infidelity At the very least Sarah could not\xa0\ntake any more from Todd than she already had I'}, {'start': '5664.960', 'end': '5670.240', 'text': "wouldn't say it was easy to obtain full custody of\xa0\nthe children Quite the reverse But I'll tell you"}, {'start': '5670.240', 'end': '5676.320', 'text': "what happened Todd won It wasn't simple because\xa0\nTodd is not the children's biological father"}, {'start': '5676.320', 'end': '5682.160', 'text': 'He did however succeed after months of judicial\xa0\nproceedings Some family members including James'}, {'start': '5682.160', 'end': '5687.360', 'text': "and my in-laws testified to Sarah's character\xa0\nThe car window incident did not help her case"}, {'start': '5687.360', 'end': '5691.120', 'text': 'nor did the fact that the judge was willing\xa0\nto contemplate handing complete custody to'}, {'start': '5691.120', 'end': '5695.760', 'text': 'the father rather than the mother which is\xa0\nunusual The final nail in the coffin was the'}, {'start': '5695.760', 'end': '5701.360', 'text': "biological father's actions This father simply\xa0\nshowed up for selfish reasons to avoid paying"}, {'start': '5701.360', 'end': '5706.800', 'text': "Sarah's child support if she had custody of the\xa0\nchildren Sarah no longer has custody so she has"}, {'start': '5706.800', 'end': '5711.920', 'text': "no grounds to sue him because she has no child\xa0\nrelated expenses I'm not sure Todd can demand"}, {'start': '5711.920', 'end': '5717.200', 'text': "anything from his biological father but he hasn't\xa0\nindicated to us he intends to According to my"}, {'start': '5717.200', 'end': '5722.640', 'text': 'understanding the biological father formally gave\xa0\nup his parental rights as if it were an adoption'}, {'start': '5722.640', 'end': '5727.840', 'text': "I'd like to add that I haven't followed every\xa0\naspect of the case so this is only my basic idea"}, {'start': '5727.840', 'end': '5732.880', 'text': 'The crucial issue here is that Todd has custody\xa0\nof both children This has already begun to have'}, {'start': '5732.880', 'end': '5738.720', 'text': 'results particularly for Tommy and his sister who\xa0\nhave started therapy Sarah can see her children'}, {'start': '5738.720', 'end': '5744.720', 'text': 'but only with supervision My in-laws on the other\xa0\nhand can see the kids anytime they want as long as'}, {'start': '5744.720', 'end': '5750.000', 'text': 'Todd makes the decision and so can we This has\xa0\nalso benefited Nathan who is now able to play'}, {'start': '5750.000', 'end': '5755.120', 'text': 'with Tommy as previously There is still much work\xa0\nto be done but things are gradually returning to'}, {'start': '5755.120', 'end': '5760.480', 'text': "normal which is all that matters I'm not sure\xa0\nwhat to tell you about Sarah I haven't had much"}, {'start': '5760.480', 'end': '5765.360', 'text': "communication with her in a while I blocked her\xa0\nand haven't heard anything from her since She"}, {'start': '5765.360', 'end': '5770.320', 'text': 'sends sporadic messages to her parents and James\xa0\nbut their relationship is pretty icy right now'}, {'start': '5770.320', 'end': '5777.280', 'text': "and I'm not sure if it will ever change I was\xa0\na shadow to my sister's piano career exploited"}, {'start': '5777.280', 'end': '5784.400', 'text': "as my family's ATM They even used my money for\xa0\nher secret engagement party I 35F am a senior"}, {'start': '5784.400', 'end': '5790.320', 'text': 'investment analyst for a major Manhattan firm Yet\xa0\nto my family I am nothing more than a personal ATM'}, {'start': '5790.320', 'end': '5794.640', 'text': "I've been hesitant to tell this tale but recent\xa0\ndevelopments have compelled me to seek outside"}, {'start': '5794.640', 'end': '5800.480', 'text': 'viewpoints on a subject that has dominated my life\xa0\nfor years Growing up our entire family revolved on'}, {'start': '5800.480', 'end': '5807.040', 'text': 'my younger sister 31F She was a piano prodigy who\xa0\nbegan performing at the age of four My earliest'}, {'start': '5807.040', 'end': '5814.400', 'text': 'memories are of helping mom 62° Fahrenheit and dad\xa0\n65° Fahrenheit prepare for her recital ensuring'}, {'start': '5814.400', 'end': '5818.960', 'text': 'that everything was just right for their little\xa0\nstar While other kids were learning to ride bikes'}, {'start': '5818.960', 'end': '5824.000', 'text': 'or going on playdates I was learning how to iron\xa0\nperformance costumes and organize sheet music'}, {'start': '5824.000', 'end': '5828.640', 'text': '"Make sure your sister has everything she needs\xa0\nfor practice," Mom would say barely looking up'}, {'start': '5828.640', 'end': '5833.760', 'text': 'from her phone as she recorded another video of my\xa0\nsister\'s performance "Don\'t forget to cook dinner'}, {'start': '5833.760', 'end': '5838.400', 'text': 'We\'ll be late tonight due to her master\'s\xa0\nclass." By the age of 11 I was effectively'}, {'start': '5838.400', 'end': '5844.480', 'text': 'controlling the home Laundry cooking cleaning\xa0\nit all fell on me because your sister needs to'}, {'start': '5844.480', 'end': '5849.600', 'text': 'focus on her music was the incessant refrain\xa0\nI recall the day I won the state mathematics'}, {'start': '5849.600', 'end': '5855.200', 'text': 'competition in 8th grade I went home clutching\xa0\nmy award only to find mom furiously preparing'}, {'start': '5855.200', 'end': '5861.360', 'text': "for my sister's performance That's nice honey she\xa0\ncommented distractedly But could you please assist"}, {'start': '5861.360', 'end': '5866.400', 'text': 'your sister practice She needs to perfect this\xa0\npiece for the Carnegie Hall Youth Showcase next'}, {'start': '5866.400', 'end': '5872.080', 'text': 'month The trophy wound up in a box in my closet\xa0\nalongside other forgotten accomplishments The'}, {'start': '5872.080', 'end': '5876.880', 'text': 'tendency persisted throughout high school While\xa0\nmy sister traveled for competitions and master'}, {'start': '5876.880', 'end': '5882.320', 'text': 'lessons I stayed at home and maintained flawless\xa0\nmarks My parents paid thousands of dollars for my'}, {'start': '5882.320', 'end': '5888.400', 'text': "sister's private lessons special music camps and\xa0\ncustommade performance apparel Meanwhile I had to"}, {'start': '5888.400', 'end': '5894.240', 'text': "fight for essential school materials We need to\xa0\nbe practical Dad would say Your sister's career"}, {'start': '5894.240', 'end': '5899.360', 'text': 'development requires all of our resources I was\xa0\nnot permitted to participate in any after-school'}, {'start': '5899.360', 'end': '5903.360', 'text': "events since someone needed to be present at home\xa0\nto prepare for my sister's nighttime practice"}, {'start': '5903.360', 'end': '5908.320', 'text': 'sessions When I indicated an interest in joining\xa0\nthe debate team mom looked at me as if I had'}, {'start': '5908.320', 'end': '5914.720', 'text': 'suggested we burn down the home How could you be\xa0\nso selfish She asked Your sister needs a peaceful'}, {'start': '5914.720', 'end': '5920.240', 'text': 'encouraging atmosphere to practice You understand\xa0\nhow crucial this is to her future Every family'}, {'start': '5920.240', 'end': '5925.440', 'text': "gathering became a recital Relatives would gather\xa0\naround the piano gushing about my sister's skill"}, {'start': '5925.440', 'end': '5931.040', 'text': 'as I served refreshments and cleaned up afterwards\xa0\n"Such a helpful girl," they\'d say patronizingly'}, {'start': '5931.040', 'end': '5935.840', 'text': 'before turning back to compliment my sister I\xa0\nlearned to be invisible moving softly through'}, {'start': '5935.840', 'end': '5940.800', 'text': 'our house like a ghost ensuring that everything\xa0\nran properly while drawing no notice to myself'}, {'start': '5940.800', 'end': '5945.920', 'text': "My parents only truly noticed me when anything\xa0\nwent wrong with my sister's routine Then I became"}, {'start': '5945.920', 'end': '5951.360', 'text': 'visible but just as a target for blame If she\xa0\nhad a poor performance it was because I had not'}, {'start': '5951.360', 'end': '5956.480', 'text': 'provided a calm setting for her practicing If she\xa0\nfelt fatigued during a competition it was because'}, {'start': '5956.480', 'end': '5961.680', 'text': "I hadn't properly prepared her meals During my\xa0\nsenior year of high school I was admitted into"}, {'start': '5961.680', 'end': '5966.960', 'text': 'several top universities on partial scholarships\xa0\nWhen I showed my parents the acceptance letters'}, {'start': '5966.960', 'end': '5972.640', 'text': 'their reaction was lukewarm at best "We can\'t\xa0\nhelp with any expenses," Dad stated firmly during'}, {'start': '5972.640', 'end': '5978.560', 'text': 'supper "Your sister\'s career development needs all\xa0\nour resources Besides you\'re good with household'}, {'start': '5978.560', 'end': '5983.760', 'text': "management Maybe you should look into becoming a\xa0\nhousekeeper That's when our neighbors the Wilsons"}, {'start': '5983.760', 'end': '5988.080', 'text': 'intervened They had seen me grow up and how I\xa0\nhelped at their little accounting office after'}, {'start': '5988.080', 'end': '5994.160', 'text': "school while waiting for my sister's practices\xa0\nto finish Mrs Wilson 55° Fahrenheit at the time"}, {'start': '5994.160', 'end': '5998.240', 'text': 'had always regarded me as a second daughter\xa0\ntaking an interest in my accomplishments and'}, {'start': '5998.240', 'end': '6003.520', 'text': 'promoting my academic endeavors They promised to\xa0\nhelp with my education fees by establishing up a'}, {'start': '6003.520', 'end': '6008.560', 'text': "work study program at their company My parents\xa0\ndidn't complain They appeared happy to have me"}, {'start': '6008.560', 'end': '6013.840', 'text': 'taken care of so they could concentrate only on my\xa0\nsister When I attempted to talk about my college'}, {'start': '6013.840', 'end': '6019.280', 'text': 'plans mom cut me off "We trust the Wilsons to\xa0\nhandle it," she added immediately returning'}, {'start': '6019.280', 'end': '6024.080', 'text': 'to her phone and organizing my sister\'s next\xa0\nappearances "Just make sure this doesn\'t interfere'}, {'start': '6024.080', 'end': '6029.920', 'text': 'with your responsibilities at home." The Wilsons\xa0\nbecame my lifeline Their encouragement extended'}, {'start': '6029.920', 'end': '6034.720', 'text': 'beyond financial aid They demonstrated what it\xa0\nmeant to be respected for my own qualities and'}, {'start': '6034.720', 'end': '6039.680', 'text': 'accomplishments Mrs Wilson attended my college\xa0\norientation when my parents were unable to come'}, {'start': '6039.680', 'end': '6046.080', 'text': "due to my sister's summer music festival Mr Wilson\xa0\n57 million at the time educated me on financial"}, {'start': '6046.080', 'end': '6051.840', 'text': 'management and sparked my interest in investment\xa0\nresearch Looking back I understand the Wilson saw'}, {'start': '6051.840', 'end': '6056.880', 'text': "something my parents didn't A young woman with\xa0\npromise beyond being someone's support network"}, {'start': '6056.880', 'end': '6061.920', 'text': 'They supported my education not because they had\xa0\nto but because they believed in me Their advice'}, {'start': '6061.920', 'end': '6067.280', 'text': 'helped me get internships which led to my current\xa0\ncareer as a senior investment analyst Throughout'}, {'start': '6067.280', 'end': '6072.800', 'text': 'college I had little touch with my family only\xa0\ntraveling home for important holidays Each visit'}, {'start': '6072.800', 'end': '6077.120', 'text': 'followed the same pattern My sister conducting\xa0\ncourt in the living room while I assisted in the'}, {'start': '6077.120', 'end': '6082.080', 'text': 'kitchen listening to relatives praise her most\xa0\nrecent accomplishments My own accomplishments'}, {'start': '6082.080', 'end': '6088.240', 'text': 'deans list accolades internships at famous firms\xa0\njob offers were largely overlooked Everything'}, {'start': '6088.240', 'end': '6093.360', 'text': "changed 10 years ago at what was supposed to be my\xa0\nsister's breakthrough moment She was preparing for"}, {'start': '6093.360', 'end': '6097.680', 'text': 'the prestigious Chicago International Piano\xa0\nCompetition which my parents were confident'}, {'start': '6097.680', 'end': '6102.400', 'text': "would propel her career to new heights They'd\xa0\nspent months working out every element from her"}, {'start': '6102.400', 'end': '6107.360', 'text': 'performance pieces to her stage demeanor Even her\xa0\nfood was methodically planned to keep her in top'}, {'start': '6107.360', 'end': '6112.640', 'text': 'performing condition The injury occurred during\xa0\nan especially intensive practice session She was'}, {'start': '6112.640', 'end': '6117.680', 'text': "working on Rachenov's piano conerto number three\xa0\na notoriously difficult piece that she persisted"}, {'start': '6117.680', 'end': '6122.880', 'text': "on performing despite her teacher's objections I\xa0\nwas at work when mom called me her voice quivering"}, {'start': '6122.880', 'end': '6129.840', 'text': 'with hysteria Get to Northwestern Memorial ASAP\xa0\nYour sister her wrist You must come right soon I'}, {'start': '6129.840', 'end': '6135.760', 'text': 'discovered them in the ER Mom screaming violently\xa0\nDad pacing like a caged animal and my sister pale'}, {'start': '6135.760', 'end': '6141.760', 'text': 'and mute cradling her right wrist The diagnosis\xa0\nwas devastating Significant tendon injury with'}, {'start': '6141.760', 'end': '6146.080', 'text': "potential nerve involvement The doctor's words\xa0\nsounded like hammers in the sterile hospital"}, {'start': '6146.080', 'end': '6152.320', 'text': 'room Significant rehabilitation is required\xa0\nPrognosis is unknown Professional performance'}, {'start': '6152.320', 'end': '6157.840', 'text': 'might no longer be possible The next few months\xa0\nwere a blur of specialists second opinions and'}, {'start': '6157.840', 'end': '6162.800', 'text': 'increasingly frantic attempts at treatment My\xa0\nparents liquidated everything they could including'}, {'start': '6162.800', 'end': '6168.480', 'text': "dad's prized vintage Mustang collection mom's\xa0\nfamily antiques and even their retirement savings"}, {'start': '6168.480', 'end': '6173.200', 'text': 'They flew in European specialists attempted\xa0\nexperimental treatments and sought advice from'}, {'start': '6173.200', 'end': '6178.160', 'text': 'alternative medicine practitioners anything that\xa0\ngave them hope I watched their finances vanish'}, {'start': '6178.160', 'end': '6183.440', 'text': 'as they sought miraculous treatments When their\xa0\nfinancial adviser suggested bankruptcy protection'}, {'start': '6183.440', 'end': '6188.320', 'text': 'they looked at him as if he had suggested\xa0\nabandoning their child "Money is just money," Dad'}, {'start': '6188.320', 'end': '6195.280', 'text': "said Our daughter's talent is priceless I saw he\xa0\nsaid daughter as he normally does Reality set in"}, {'start': '6195.280', 'end': '6200.880', 'text': "gradually like a slowmoving storm Despite multiple\xa0\ntreatments my sister's wrist never recovered the"}, {'start': '6200.880', 'end': '6206.000', 'text': 'strength and flexibility required for professional\xa0\nperformance The physicians eventually verified our'}, {'start': '6206.000', 'end': '6211.840', 'text': 'fears Her career as a concert pianist was ended It\xa0\nwas more than simply the loss of a profession It'}, {'start': '6211.840', 'end': '6217.360', 'text': 'was the dissolution of our entire family mythos\xa0\nMy parents became older in just a few months'}, {'start': '6217.360', 'end': '6221.920', 'text': 'Mom stopped fixing her hair and cosmetics and\xa0\nspent days in her bathrobe viewing footage of my'}, {'start': '6221.920', 'end': '6227.520', 'text': "sister's previous performances Dad who had always\xa0\nbeen the family's rock began missing appointments"}, {'start': '6227.520', 'end': '6233.200', 'text': 'bills and even food Sometimes they appeared lost\xa0\nas if their identities were inextricably linked to'}, {'start': '6233.200', 'end': '6238.560', 'text': "my sister's musical career That's when their focus\xa0\nmoved to me but not in the way I had secretly"}, {'start': '6238.560', 'end': '6243.600', 'text': 'wanted for all those years They regarded me not as\xa0\ntheir daughter who could help them recover but as'}, {'start': '6243.600', 'end': '6249.040', 'text': 'a financial answer to their escalating issues I\xa0\nhad recently gotten a huge promotion at my firm'}, {'start': '6249.040', 'end': '6253.520', 'text': 'becoming a senior analyst before the age of 30 an\xa0\naccomplishment that would have gone unnoticed if'}, {'start': '6253.520', 'end': '6258.480', 'text': 'it hadn\'t come with a substantial income rise\xa0\n"You\'re doing so well," Mom said on one of her'}, {'start': '6258.480', 'end': '6263.360', 'text': 'first calls to me in months Her prideful tone\xa0\nwas swiftly followed by "Your sister needs help'}, {'start': '6263.360', 'end': '6268.960', 'text': "with her medical bills Since you're in such a good\xa0\nposition now the request was wrapped in layers of"}, {'start': '6268.960', 'end': '6274.000', 'text': 'remorse and obligation given with the skillful\xa0\nmanipulation that only a mother can perform'}, {'start': '6274.000', 'end': '6278.800', 'text': "At first I agreed to make a modest monthly\xa0\ndonation of $1,000 to help with my sister's"}, {'start': '6278.800', 'end': '6285.280', 'text': 'therapy and living expenses It appeared sensible\xa0\neven necessary They were family after all and'}, {'start': '6285.280', 'end': '6291.040', 'text': 'I was finally able to give back The thankfulness\xa0\nlooked sincere at first Mom phoned me on a regular'}, {'start': '6291.040', 'end': '6296.640', 'text': "basis to check on my sister's progress while dad\xa0\nwrote awkward but emotional thank you emails But"}, {'start': '6296.640', 'end': '6301.920', 'text': 'the requests kept coming each one bigger than\xa0\nthe last with increasingly convoluted excuses'}, {'start': '6301.920', 'end': '6306.480', 'text': 'My sister wanted a new automobile because public\xa0\ntransportation made her anxious following the'}, {'start': '6306.480', 'end': '6312.480', 'text': "incident My sister's recuperation was hampered by\xa0\nnegative energy in the house which required repair"}, {'start': '6312.480', 'end': '6318.240', 'text': 'They required a family vacation because emotional\xa0\nhealing is just as important as physical therapy'}, {'start': '6318.240', 'end': '6323.840', 'text': 'Then came the credit cards just for emergencies\xa0\nthey said and I was added as an authorized user'}, {'start': '6323.840', 'end': '6329.760', 'text': 'to their accounts Their concept of an emergency\xa0\nwas surprisingly fluid Shopping became retail'}, {'start': '6329.760', 'end': '6334.880', 'text': 'therapy Costly restaurants were necessary for\xa0\nmaintaining family bonds during a crisis and'}, {'start': '6334.880', 'end': '6340.880', 'text': 'luxury spa retreats were considered essential for\xa0\nrecovery Monthly expenses rose like ivy on a wall'}, {'start': '6340.880', 'end': '6348.560', 'text': 'gradually at first then abruptly overpowering\xa0\n$1,000 became $2,000 and finally $3,000 Each'}, {'start': '6348.560', 'end': '6353.760', 'text': "increment was followed by detailed explanations\xa0\nand emotional manipulation After everything we've"}, {'start': '6353.760', 'end': '6358.880', 'text': "done for you became their regular refrain though\xa0\nI couldn't recall exactly what they' done When I"}, {'start': '6358.880', 'end': '6364.400', 'text': "hesitated over a particularly substantial request\xa0\nmom reminded me of all the sacrifices they'd made"}, {'start': '6364.400', 'end': '6370.800', 'text': "conveniently forgetting that those sacrifices were\xa0\nsolely for my sister My buddy Rachel 35F whom I've"}, {'start': '6370.800', 'end': '6375.520', 'text': "known since college was watching the situation\xa0\nwith growing concern They're not treating you"}, {'start': '6375.520', 'end': '6380.320', 'text': "like family she explained during our weekly dinner\xa0\nat her parents' restaurant They're treating you"}, {'start': '6380.320', 'end': '6386.240', 'text': 'like an ATM with legs I dismissed her concerns at\xa0\nfirst making excuses about family commitments and'}, {'start': '6386.240', 'end': '6392.560', 'text': 'filial duty but her comments stayed with me like\xa0\nburrs The Wilsons my long-standing mentors were'}, {'start': '6392.560', 'end': '6398.720', 'text': 'also concerned Mrs Wilson took me aside after\xa0\nour monthly lunch meeting Honey she began her'}, {'start': '6398.720', 'end': '6404.400', 'text': "face wrinkled with concern This is not support\xa0\nit is exploitation We didn't help you advance"}, {'start': '6404.400', 'end': '6409.200', 'text': "your job so you could become your family's\xa0\npersonal banker The breaking point came last"}, {'start': '6409.200', 'end': '6414.640', 'text': "week when I realized they had spent more than\xa0\n$122,000 on my sister's therapeutic shopping"}, {'start': '6414.640', 'end': '6420.240', 'text': 'spree without telling me The expenses included\xa0\ndesigner clothes spa treatments and a weekend'}, {'start': '6420.240', 'end': '6425.920', 'text': 'at a luxury resort all explained as necessary for\xa0\nher emotional recovery When I tried to talk about'}, {'start': '6425.920', 'end': '6430.640', 'text': 'setting boundaries mom fell into tears and gave\xa0\nan Oscar-worthy act about how I was abandoning'}, {'start': '6430.640', 'end': '6436.640', 'text': 'the family in our time of need Later that night\xa0\nDad called His voice was gruff and disapproving'}, {'start': '6436.640', 'end': '6441.760', 'text': 'using the same authoritarian tone that had kept me\xa0\nin line throughout my youth Your sister requires'}, {'start': '6441.760', 'end': '6446.720', 'text': "our assistance more than ever he admonished How\xa0\ncan you be so selfish when she's still trying to"}, {'start': '6446.720', 'end': '6452.400', 'text': "find her way We've raised you better than this\xa0\nThe irony of his words we raised you hit me like"}, {'start': '6452.400', 'end': '6457.680', 'text': 'a physical blow Did they raise me or did I raise\xa0\nmyself under the influence of their obsession with'}, {'start': '6457.680', 'end': '6464.480', 'text': 'my sister Yesterday I received another credit card\xa0\nstatement for $115,000 for a health retreat that I'}, {'start': '6464.480', 'end': '6470.320', 'text': 'never approved When I called to inquire my sister\xa0\nanswered the phone "You make so much money," she'}, {'start': '6470.320', 'end': '6475.600', 'text': 'added dismissively with the same arrogant tone\xa0\nI remembered from childhood "Stop being stingy'}, {'start': '6475.600', 'end': '6479.520', 'text': "You know mom and dad need this to deal with\xa0\neverything they've been through because of me"}, {'start': '6479.520', 'end': '6484.400', 'text': "I'm writing from my office on the 47th level of\xa0\nour Manhattan building surrounded by the trappings"}, {'start': '6484.400', 'end': '6490.080', 'text': "of my success despite rather than because of my\xa0\nfamily's support The chart on my second monitor"}, {'start': '6490.080', 'end': '6495.760', 'text': "depicts my family's financial abuse in cold hard\xa0\nstatistics Over the last year they've spent more"}, {'start': '6495.760', 'end': '6502.240', 'text': "than $150,000 of my money which is more than most\xa0\nfamily's annual income My financial consultant is"}, {'start': '6502.240', 'end': '6507.520', 'text': 'concerned about the implications for my long-term\xa0\nfinancial security My therapist gently indicates'}, {'start': '6507.520', 'end': '6512.560', 'text': 'that it is important to set hard boundaries Rachel\xa0\nalternates between providing her guest room and'}, {'start': '6512.560', 'end': '6517.680', 'text': 'volunteering to tell my family where they can go\xa0\nin many languages thanks to her worldwide business'}, {'start': '6517.680', 'end': '6522.800', 'text': 'experience But every time I consider cutting them\xa0\noff I remember the little girl who simply wanted'}, {'start': '6522.800', 'end': '6527.440', 'text': 'her parents to appreciate her accomplishments The\xa0\nadolescent who believed that if she worked hard'}, {'start': '6527.440', 'end': '6532.000', 'text': 'enough someone would eventually recognize her\xa0\nas more than a support system The young woman'}, {'start': '6532.000', 'end': '6537.200', 'text': "who still hopes that her family would see her as\xa0\nmore than a resource I'm currently at a crossroads"}, {'start': '6537.200', 'end': '6542.160', 'text': 'confronting decisions I never intended to make\xa0\nThe Wilsons who have been more like parents to me'}, {'start': '6542.160', 'end': '6547.600', 'text': 'than my own advise I should protect myself Rachel\xa0\nprovides practical assistance and a secure place'}, {'start': '6547.600', 'end': '6553.040', 'text': 'to ponder My therapist discusses boundaries and\xa0\nself-respect words that appear easy but bear the'}, {'start': '6553.040', 'end': '6557.360', 'text': "weight of decades of familial relationships\xa0\nI'm having trouble with questions that don't"}, {'start': '6557.360', 'end': '6562.720', 'text': 'seem to have any correct answers Am I being\xa0\nruthless by considering financial constraints'}, {'start': '6562.720', 'end': '6567.440', 'text': 'Is it immoral to want appreciation for my own\xa0\nachievements Should I simply accept that this'}, {'start': '6567.440', 'end': '6573.760', 'text': "is my job in the family the dependable one the\xa0\nresponsible one the human ATM I really don't know"}, {'start': '6573.760', 'end': '6579.760', 'text': 'anymore Update one My world imploded yesterday\xa0\nwhen I found on Instagram that my parents are'}, {'start': '6579.760', 'end': '6584.800', 'text': "presently in Hawaii not for a vacation but for\xa0\nmy sister's secret engagement party which they"}, {'start': '6584.800', 'end': '6590.320', 'text': 'paid for with my credit card During lunch I was\xa0\naimlessly scrolling through my feed when I came'}, {'start': '6590.320', 'end': '6595.360', 'text': 'across a post from a mutual acquaintance that\xa0\nstopped me cold Paradise with the future wife'}, {'start': '6595.360', 'end': '6601.280', 'text': "what's chosen engagement bliss to Hawaii There she\xa0\nwas beaming on a beautiful beach standing next to"}, {'start': '6601.280', 'end': '6606.640', 'text': 'her boyfriend now fiance with our parents and his\xa0\nfamily in the background They had been there for'}, {'start': '6606.640', 'end': '6613.440', 'text': '3 days I went 3 days without hearing a word from\xa0\nyou Confused and hurt I opened my banking app The'}, {'start': '6613.440', 'end': '6621.680', 'text': 'charges struck me like fists First class flights\xa0\nto Honolulu cost $24,800 Grand WA Resort three'}, {'start': '6621.680', 'end': '6628.960', 'text': 'ocean view suites for $21,600 Additional expenses\xa0\ninclude a welcome meal spa treatments a sailing'}, {'start': '6628.960', 'end': '6635.200', 'text': "excursion and a private beachside dinner for\xa0\n$12,000 My hands shook as I dialed mom's number"}, {'start': '6635.200', 'end': '6640.480', 'text': 'When she responded I could hear Hawaiian music\xa0\nand laughter in the background "Oh honey," she'}, {'start': '6640.480', 'end': '6645.680', 'text': 'explained casually "Your father and I just decided\xa0\nto take a short break You\'re aware of how tough'}, {'start': '6645.680', 'end': '6652.000', 'text': "things have been lately A short break at the Grand\xa0\nWA with my sister's fiance's complete family That"}, {'start': '6652.000', 'end': '6659.840', 'text': 'kind of break cost more than $58,000 on my credit\xa0\ncard Silence muffled voices Then my sister got on'}, {'start': '6659.840', 'end': '6665.520', 'text': 'the phone her remarks oozing with entitlement\xa0\nListen Miss Executive she snarled You are not'}, {'start': '6665.520', 'end': '6671.440', 'text': 'required here You are no longer family but rather\xa0\na walking ATM Nobody wants to hear about your'}, {'start': '6671.440', 'end': '6678.080', 'text': 'valuable career as we celebrate my engagement I\xa0\nurged myself to be calm That ATM just paid nearly'}, {'start': '6678.080', 'end': '6684.640', 'text': "$60,000 for your little party She laughed coldly\xa0\nThat's what you're good at isn't it Keep doing"}, {'start': '6684.640', 'end': '6690.720', 'text': "your fancy job and we'll enjoy spending your money\xa0\nIt's the only thing you're helpful for Always was"}, {'start': '6690.720', 'end': '6696.720', 'text': 'The call went dead Within minutes they had blocked\xa0\nme on all platforms Mom sent a final message'}, {'start': '6696.720', 'end': '6702.080', 'text': 'that read "We\'re<unk> all tired of your negative\xa0\nattitude and jealousy Please leave us alone You\'ve'}, {'start': '6702.080', 'end': '6707.760', 'text': 'spoiled enough precious moments for your sister."\xa0\nSomething cold and hard solidified in my chest My'}, {'start': '6707.760', 'end': '6712.560', 'text': 'hands remained steady when I accessed my banking\xa0\napp Each click felt like it broke another link in'}, {'start': '6712.560', 'end': '6719.200', 'text': 'the chain that had connected me to their torture\xa0\nClick Hotel reservations are cancelled Click Spa'}, {'start': '6719.200', 'end': '6726.080', 'text': "packages and excursions are cancelled Click Return\xa0\nflight tickets have been cancelled Click Mom's"}, {'start': '6726.080', 'end': '6732.400', 'text': 'card is permanently deactivated The aftermath was\xa0\nimmediate My phone burst with calls and messages'}, {'start': '6732.400', 'end': '6740.880', 'text': "Mom it's an emergency Call immediately Dad says\xa0\nfix this quickly You are embarrassing the family"}, {'start': '6740.880', 'end': '6749.360', 'text': 'Sister you better get this right Number Hawaii The\xa0\nfuture in-laws without a doubt As the hours passed'}, {'start': '6749.360', 'end': '6758.400', 'text': 'their tone changed Mom said "Sweetie please we\xa0\ncan talk Father we\'ll pay you back Sister stop'}, {'start': '6758.400', 'end': '6764.880', 'text': "being so petty It is my engagement Then my sister\xa0\nsent out a social media blast I can't believe my"}, {'start': '6764.880', 'end': '6769.840', 'text': 'own sister would spoil the best time of my life\xa0\nShe has always been envious but this is a new'}, {'start': '6769.840', 'end': '6779.520', 'text': "low Toxic family Heartbroken I'd been quiet long\xa0\nenough I shared everything Screenshots credit card"}, {'start': '6779.520', 'end': '6785.360', 'text': 'statements and messages The truth about their\xa0\nhidden celebration unapproved charges and nasty'}, {'start': '6785.360', 'end': '6790.720', 'text': 'statements The tide shifted immediately People\xa0\nrallied in support as they realized the truth'}, {'start': '6790.720', 'end': '6795.680', 'text': 'behind their carefully prepared narrative Mutual\xa0\nfriends informed me of the consequences of my'}, {'start': '6795.680', 'end': '6801.440', 'text': 'acts My parents needed to borrow money merely to\xa0\npurchase economy flights home They had to check'}, {'start': '6801.440', 'end': '6807.200', 'text': 'out of the Grand WA in front of other visitors\xa0\nMy sister had a temper tantrum in the lobby which'}, {'start': '6807.200', 'end': '6812.320', 'text': "ended up on Tik Tok The actual explosion occurred\xa0\nwhen the fiance's family discovered they had been"}, {'start': '6812.320', 'end': '6817.920', 'text': "caught up in my family's web of deception They'd\xa0\nbeen promised a fully compensated luxury holiday"}, {'start': '6817.920', 'end': '6822.640', 'text': 'only to find out they were part of a plot to\xa0\nexploit the rich sister The engagement itself'}, {'start': '6822.640', 'end': '6827.520', 'text': "is being called into question with the fiance's\xa0\nfamily questioning the entire arrangement I"}, {'start': '6827.520', 'end': '6832.160', 'text': "am writing this update from my friend Rachel's\xa0\nguest room The Wilsons have shown their support"}, {'start': '6832.160', 'end': '6837.280', 'text': 'reminding me that true family does not treat you\xa0\nlike an ATM I have locked all of my accounts and'}, {'start': '6837.280', 'end': '6842.560', 'text': "my lawyer is drafting cease and desist letters\xa0\nWhat is the most difficult part I don't feel"}, {'start': '6842.560', 'end': '6849.680', 'text': "anything There is no guilt There's no sadness just\xa0\nrelief It's as if I finally laid down a burden"}, {'start': '6849.680', 'end': '6856.560', 'text': "I've been carrying my entire life Perhaps that is\xa0\nwhat freedom feels like Update two My Hawaii post"}, {'start': '6856.560', 'end': '6861.680', 'text': 'has had an illuminating impact What began as a\xa0\nfamily quarrel has revealed years of deception'}, {'start': '6861.680', 'end': '6867.440', 'text': 'to a much larger audience than planned Three days\xa0\nafter my previous post I received an email from'}, {'start': '6867.440', 'end': '6874.240', 'text': "my sister's fiance's mother We met in a quiet cafe\xa0\nin Manhattan We had no idea she said wrapping her"}, {'start': '6874.240', 'end': '6879.280', 'text': 'hands around her coffee cup Your parents informed\xa0\nus that they were wealthy financial managers and'}, {'start': '6879.280', 'end': '6884.320', 'text': 'that your sister was taking a sbatical from her\xa0\nconcert piano career They stated that this luxury'}, {'start': '6884.320', 'end': '6890.080', 'text': "vacation was a gift to both families She revealed\xa0\nspecifics concerning my family's dishonesty"}, {'start': '6890.640', 'end': '6895.360', 'text': 'They portrayed themselves as wealthy sophisticates\xa0\ntelling anecdotes about their great occupations'}, {'start': '6895.360', 'end': '6901.760', 'text': "and my sister's temporary hiatus from performing\xa0\nThe realization struck their family hard James is"}, {'start': '6901.760', 'end': '6907.440', 'text': 'devastated," she continued "Not for the money\xa0\nbut for the lies He confronted my sister about'}, {'start': '6907.440', 'end': '6912.960', 'text': 'using my credit cards without authorization." She\xa0\nchuckled and stated "She\'s my sister Her money is'}, {'start': '6912.960', 'end': '6918.160', 'text': 'family money." That evening James ended their\xa0\nengagement I can\'t build a life with someone'}, {'start': '6918.160', 'end': '6922.800', 'text': "who thinks it's okay to steal from and exclude\xa0\ntheir own sister he told her He returned the"}, {'start': '6922.800', 'end': '6928.480', 'text': "ring and walked away his family fully supporting\xa0\nhis decision My sister's reaction was explosive"}, {'start': '6928.480', 'end': '6933.040', 'text': 'She recorded a lengthy Instagram live tirade\xa0\nblaming me for losing her chance at happiness'}, {'start': '6933.040', 'end': '6937.680', 'text': 'And when that failed to get traction she began\xa0\ncontacting my colleagues spreading stories about'}, {'start': '6937.680', 'end': '6943.680', 'text': 'how I abandoned my family during their time of\xa0\nneed However her efforts backfired My documented'}, {'start': '6943.680', 'end': '6948.800', 'text': 'post had already made the rounds People had seen\xa0\nthe credit card statements read the texts and'}, {'start': '6948.800', 'end': '6954.400', 'text': 'recognized the pattern of exploitation Each fresh\xa0\nattack from her simply strengthened my narrative'}, {'start': '6954.400', 'end': '6959.280', 'text': "My parents' professional consequences has been\xa0\ndevastating Dad's consulting customers began"}, {'start': '6959.280', 'end': '6963.520', 'text': "to distance themselves Mom's social position\xa0\nin her charity circles plummeted and their"}, {'start': '6963.520', 'end': '6968.560', 'text': "carefully cultivated image was broken They've been\xa0\ntrying to reach me via every imaginable method"}, {'start': '6968.560', 'end': '6974.080', 'text': 'and the tone of their messages alternates between\xa0\nappealing and demanding We are still your parents'}, {'start': '6974.080', 'end': '6979.360', 'text': "You can't just cut us off after all we've done\xa0\nfor you Your sister is devastated How can you"}, {'start': '6979.360', 'end': '6985.200', 'text': "be so cruel We'll pay you back Just give us\xa0\ntime They showed up at my workplace yesterday"}, {'start': '6985.200', 'end': '6989.760', 'text': 'Security turned them away but not before mom\xa0\nmade a fuss in the lobby wailing about her'}, {'start': '6989.760', 'end': '6994.480', 'text': 'ungrateful daughter My colleagues have been\xa0\nquite sympathetic with several sharing their'}, {'start': '6994.480', 'end': '7000.160', 'text': 'own experiences with family financial abuse The\xa0\nWilsons have been my rock throughout this Mrs'}, {'start': '7000.160', 'end': '7004.000', 'text': 'Wilson helped me update all of my banking\xa0\ninformation and set up additional security'}, {'start': '7004.000', 'end': '7008.880', 'text': 'measures And Mr Wilson is aiding me in documenting\xa0\nevery unlawful transaction for possible legal'}, {'start': '7008.880', 'end': '7014.160', 'text': "action Rachel's parents offered me their guest\xa0\nhouse for as long as I needed it Family doesn't"}, {'start': '7014.160', 'end': '7019.120', 'text': "steal from family Rachel's mom told me And they\xa0\ncertainly don't exclude their own daughter from"}, {'start': '7019.120', 'end': '7024.640', 'text': "family celebrations while spending her money My\xa0\nsister's ex- fiance's family has been surprisingly"}, {'start': '7024.640', 'end': '7030.400', 'text': "supportive openly defending my actions and sharing\xa0\ntheir own experiences with my family's dishonesty"}, {'start': '7030.400', 'end': '7035.040', 'text': 'Their narrative has helped others understand the\xa0\nfull extent of the manipulation My parents sent'}, {'start': '7035.040', 'end': '7039.680', 'text': 'me a big envelope today containing a promisory\xa0\nnote for the Hawaii expenses as well as a letter'}, {'start': '7039.680', 'end': '7045.200', 'text': 'about healing our family bonds and moving forward\xa0\ntogether They advised family therapy and regular'}, {'start': '7045.200', 'end': '7050.320', 'text': 'meals to help reestablish trust However there was\xa0\nno acknowledgement of their decades of emotional'}, {'start': '7050.320', 'end': '7055.280', 'text': "abuse or of how they'd methodically abused me\xa0\nwhile removing me from the family The letter"}, {'start': '7055.280', 'end': '7061.040', 'text': 'spoke of misunderstandings as if $58,000 in\xa0\nillegal charges and a secret family celebration'}, {'start': '7061.040', 'end': '7065.680', 'text': 'were simple mistakes I returned the letter\xa0\nunopened accompanied with a formal cease and'}, {'start': '7065.680', 'end': '7071.200', 'text': "desist notification from my lawyer Some extended\xa0\nfamily members have attempted to mediate They're"}, {'start': '7071.200', 'end': '7077.360', 'text': "still your parents they explain Family is family\xa0\nBut here's the thing They've never treated me like"}, {'start': '7077.360', 'end': '7083.840', 'text': 'family I was their housekeeper their ATM their\xa0\nbackup plan never their daughter sister or true'}, {'start': '7083.840', 'end': '7089.600', 'text': "part of the family I'm tired of being the family\xa0\nbank the unseen support system and sacrificing my"}, {'start': '7089.600', 'end': '7094.640', 'text': 'financial and emotional security for people who\xa0\nsee me as nothing more than a resource to be used'}, {'start': '7094.640', 'end': '7100.880', 'text': 'For the first time in my life I am putting myself\xa0\nfirst My money is my money my time is my time and'}, {'start': '7100.880', 'end': '7107.760', 'text': "my life is my life which is extremely freeing\xa0\nUpdate three It's been a month since my previous"}, {'start': '7107.760', 'end': '7113.520', 'text': 'update and I finally accomplished something I\xa0\nnever imagined possible Full tranquility Two'}, {'start': '7113.520', 'end': '7118.800', 'text': 'weeks ago my family made their final attempt at\xa0\nreconciliation arriving to my apartment with photo'}, {'start': '7118.800', 'end': '7124.000', 'text': 'albums and recital programs The doorman refused\xa0\nto let them in but they waited in the lobby for'}, {'start': '7124.000', 'end': '7129.200', 'text': 'hours "We just want to remind her of the good\xa0\ntimes," Mom told the doorman flipping through'}, {'start': '7129.200', 'end': '7134.000', 'text': "images of my sister's performances and pointing\xa0\nout shots where I might be seen in the background"}, {'start': '7134.000', 'end': '7139.040', 'text': 'usually hauling equipment or adjusting costumes\xa0\nDad attempted to contact my colleagues via'}, {'start': '7139.040', 'end': '7144.160', 'text': "LinkedIn We're worried about our daughter's\xa0\nmental health he wrote She's cutting off her"}, {'start': '7144.160', 'end': '7149.840', 'text': 'loving family over a simple misunderstanding about\xa0\nshared finances My co-workers shared his mails to'}, {'start': '7149.840', 'end': '7155.600', 'text': "me along with comments justifying my behavior My\xa0\nsister's current social media technique has been"}, {'start': '7155.600', 'end': '7160.960', 'text': 'to play the victim creating videos about toxic\xa0\nindividualism and how money destroys families'}, {'start': '7160.960', 'end': '7166.000', 'text': 'while carefully editing out the unauthorized\xa0\ncharges and the secret engagement party However'}, {'start': '7166.000', 'end': '7170.720', 'text': 'the comment sections are brimming with folks who\xa0\nhave shared the entire narrative The final straw'}, {'start': '7170.720', 'end': '7175.440', 'text': 'came when they contacted the Wilsons to make\xa0\nme see reason Mr Wilson responded quickly and'}, {'start': '7175.440', 'end': '7181.440', 'text': "emphatically You've exploited her for years Leave\xa0\nher alone I've changed my phone number shut down"}, {'start': '7181.440', 'end': '7186.480', 'text': "my accounts and even pondered moving to another\xa0\ncity My therapist thinks I'm finally recovering"}, {'start': '7186.480', 'end': '7191.680', 'text': 'my life and for the first time in years I feel\xa0\nliberated They phoned the Wilsons to help me see'}, {'start': '7191.680', 'end': '7197.440', 'text': "reason Mr Wilson's response was perfect For 30\xa0\nyears I've seen you treat her as nothing more"}, {'start': '7197.440', 'end': '7202.960', 'text': 'than a convenience She is finally appreciating\xa0\nherself as she should have been regarded all along'}, {'start': '7202.960', 'end': '7207.920', 'text': 'My lawyer has written formal letters requesting\xa0\npayback of all improper transactions which totaled'}, {'start': '7207.920', 'end': '7214.640', 'text': "over $287,000 over 3 years They claim everything\xa0\nwas agreed upon and that I'm rewriting history"}, {'start': '7214.640', 'end': '7219.600', 'text': "The bank's fraud department disagrees and\xa0\ninvestigations are still ongoing I've moved"}, {'start': '7219.600', 'end': '7224.480', 'text': 'to a new apartment in a secure building My mail\xa0\nhas been rooted through a screening agency My'}, {'start': '7224.480', 'end': '7229.760', 'text': 'phone number has changed My email has rigorous\xa0\nfilters and my social media profiles have been'}, {'start': '7229.760', 'end': '7234.480', 'text': 'cancelled or made private Last week I was\xa0\noffered a partnership track position and the'}, {'start': '7234.480', 'end': '7238.480', 'text': 'managing partner commented that my management\xa0\nof the family problem demonstrated the kind of'}, {'start': '7238.480', 'end': '7243.360', 'text': 'backbone they look for in a leader Without\xa0\nthe continual drain of family expectations'}, {'start': '7243.360', 'end': '7248.960', 'text': "I've been able to focus on my profession Rachel's\xa0\nparents have informally adopted me I have standing"}, {'start': '7248.960', 'end': '7254.000', 'text': 'Sunday dinner invitations and her mother keeps\xa0\naccidentally cooking too much food They urged'}, {'start': '7254.000', 'end': '7259.760', 'text': "that I attend their annual Cape Cod vacation Real\xa0\nfamily vacations don't involve stealing Rachel's"}, {'start': '7259.760', 'end': '7265.360', 'text': 'father quipped as we organized the trip Mrs Wilson\xa0\nhas been helping me rediscover abandoned interests'}, {'start': '7265.360', 'end': '7269.680', 'text': "and I've started taking photography classes which\xa0\nI couldn't do in high school because it would have"}, {'start': '7269.680', 'end': '7275.120', 'text': "clashed with my sister's practice schedule The\xa0\nWilsons are still my steady mentors The extended"}, {'start': '7275.120', 'end': '7280.480', 'text': 'family is still pushing for reconciliation But\xa0\nwhat about the holidays What happens when your'}, {'start': '7280.480', 'end': '7285.520', 'text': 'parents are older These queries used to make\xa0\nme feel guilty Now they just remind me of how'}, {'start': '7285.520', 'end': '7290.320', 'text': "one-sided our relationship was My therapist\xa0\npointed out that my family's behavior follows"}, {'start': '7290.320', 'end': '7294.880', 'text': 'a common pattern of financial abuse which is\xa0\nveiled by cultural expectations of familial'}, {'start': '7294.880', 'end': '7301.520', 'text': "obligation You're not breaking family bonds I\xa0\nwas told You're breaking free from exploitation"}, {'start': '7301.520', 'end': '7307.120', 'text': 'The most significant shift has occurred internally\xa0\nThe worry that used to follow every phone contact'}, {'start': '7307.120', 'end': '7312.160', 'text': 'email and bank alert has vanished I no longer\xa0\nflinch when my phone calls or feel terrible'}, {'start': '7312.160', 'end': '7317.760', 'text': 'about spending my own money on myself Last weekend\xa0\nI bought an abstract painting that spoke to me And'}, {'start': '7317.760', 'end': '7322.240', 'text': 'as I hung it I realized it was the first time\xa0\nI had bought something solely for myself rather'}, {'start': '7322.240', 'end': '7327.920', 'text': "than for someone else My sister's most recent post\xa0\naccuses me of being callous for abandoning family"}, {'start': '7327.920', 'end': '7333.600', 'text': "Nevertheless I have not abandoned family Rather\xa0\nI have discovered my true family It's Rachel's"}, {'start': '7333.600', 'end': '7338.560', 'text': "parents asking about my day and they mean it It's\xa0\nthe Wilsons honoring my accomplishments without"}, {'start': '7338.560', 'end': '7344.480', 'text': 'expecting anything in return My co-workers are the\xa0\nones who never hesitate to defend me Sometimes I'}, {'start': '7344.480', 'end': '7348.640', 'text': 'think of that little girl who ironed concert\xa0\ndresses and made dinners to get attention And I'}, {'start': '7348.640', 'end': '7354.160', 'text': 'wish I could tell her she deserved more That being\xa0\nuseful is not synonymous with being loved The real'}, {'start': '7354.160', 'end': '7360.480', 'text': "family does not treat you like an ATM I'm not an\xa0\nATM I'm not a support system I am not a resource"}, {'start': '7360.480', 'end': '7369.200', 'text': 'to be used I am free I grew up overshadowed by\xa0\nthe golden child She tried to seduce my husband We'}, {'start': '7369.200', 'end': '7375.840', 'text': 'exposed her and my mother framed me refusing her\xa0\nfaults Hello everyone I need some help and maybe'}, {'start': '7375.840', 'end': '7383.520', 'text': 'a place to rant This will be a long one so please\xa0\nbear with me I 33F have always had a problematic'}, {'start': '7383.520', 'end': '7389.840', 'text': "connection with my younger sister Julia 30F Julia\xa0\nis our family's golden child which has caused me"}, {'start': '7389.840', 'end': '7395.520', 'text': 'grief since we were little Growing up our parents\xa0\nalways preferred Julia She was the beautiful'}, {'start': '7395.520', 'end': '7400.960', 'text': 'talented and all-around perfect person Meanwhile\xa0\nI was the older sister who consistently fell short'}, {'start': '7400.960', 'end': '7406.880', 'text': 'of their expectations My earliest memories include\xa0\noccasions when I felt invisible next to her One'}, {'start': '7406.880', 'end': '7412.400', 'text': "memory strikes out so vividly I was about 8\xa0\nyears old and it was my birthday I'd been looking"}, {'start': '7412.400', 'end': '7417.920', 'text': 'forward to it for weeks fantasizing about the\xa0\ncake the gifts and the attention But as soon as'}, {'start': '7417.920', 'end': '7423.440', 'text': "Julia entered the room everyone's attention went\xa0\nto her She was just five at the time but she had"}, {'start': '7423.440', 'end': '7428.720', 'text': 'a talent for stealing the show She began singing a\xa0\nsong she had learned in kindergarten and everyone'}, {'start': '7428.720', 'end': '7433.520', 'text': "applauded completely forgetting that it was my\xa0\nspecial day My parents didn't notice the tears"}, {'start': '7433.520', 'end': '7438.320', 'text': 'welling up in my eyes as I watched them adore her\xa0\nThis was a pattern that continued throughout our'}, {'start': '7438.320', 'end': '7443.760', 'text': 'childhood Julia received the greatest clothes\xa0\nthe most attention and all of the compliments'}, {'start': '7443.760', 'end': '7449.440', 'text': 'I recall feeling pleased of myself after receiving\xa0\na B on a math test However when I presented it to'}, {'start': '7449.440', 'end': '7454.800', 'text': 'my parents they only glanced at it before asking\xa0\nJulia about her day She had colored a picture at'}, {'start': '7454.800', 'end': '7459.680', 'text': 'school and that was considered more impressive\xa0\nThe hardest aspect was that Julia was well aware'}, {'start': '7459.680', 'end': '7464.560', 'text': "of her position within the family She wasn't\xa0\na malevolent child but she knew how to use"}, {'start': '7464.560', 'end': '7470.080', 'text': 'circumstances to her advantage If we ever fought\xa0\nas siblings do she would scream and run to our'}, {'start': '7470.080', 'end': '7475.280', 'text': 'parents who would always support her side I was\xa0\nalways the one that got scolded regardless of'}, {'start': '7475.280', 'end': '7481.200', 'text': 'the situation The dynamics remained rather stable\xa0\nas we grew older Julia excelled in whatever she'}, {'start': '7481.200', 'end': '7486.720', 'text': 'did She was a straight A student a star athlete\xa0\nand eventually a social butterfly with a large'}, {'start': '7486.720', 'end': '7493.200', 'text': 'network of friends In contrast I suffered both\xa0\nintellectually and socially I was shy introverted'}, {'start': '7493.200', 'end': '7498.480', 'text': 'and had difficulty establishing friends Our\xa0\nparents frequently compared us always adversely to'}, {'start': '7498.480', 'end': '7504.240', 'text': "me Why can't you be more like Julia was a constant\xa0\nrefrain in our home High school was really"}, {'start': '7504.240', 'end': '7510.160', 'text': 'stressful Julia was a freshman when I was a senior\xa0\nand she rapidly gained popularity She joined the'}, {'start': '7510.160', 'end': '7515.840', 'text': 'cheerleading squad was chosen class president and\xa0\nboys wanted to date her I was the nerdy senior who'}, {'start': '7515.840', 'end': '7520.560', 'text': 'rarely had any friends and spent the most of his\xa0\ntime in the library She seemed to be the center of'}, {'start': '7520.560', 'end': '7526.480', 'text': 'my existence One incident from high school still\xa0\nbothers me There was a major dance coming up and I'}, {'start': '7526.480', 'end': '7531.920', 'text': 'had finally worked up the guts to ask a boy I like\xa0\nto go with me To my astonishment and happiness he'}, {'start': '7531.920', 'end': '7538.320', 'text': 'replied yes But a week before the dance he canled\xa0\nclaiming he had invited someone else Someone else'}, {'start': '7538.320', 'end': '7543.600', 'text': "turned out to be Julia She had no idea I had\xa0\nasked him but it didn't matter She got to go"}, {'start': '7543.600', 'end': '7548.880', 'text': 'to the dance with him whilst I stayed at home\xa0\ndevastated and alone After high school I attended'}, {'start': '7548.880', 'end': '7554.400', 'text': 'a local community college while Julia received a\xa0\nscholarship to a prominent university Our parents'}, {'start': '7554.400', 'end': '7559.200', 'text': 'were understandably pleased of her but it hurt to\xa0\nsee how little they cared about my accomplishments'}, {'start': '7559.200', 'end': '7564.240', 'text': "I worked two jobs to pay for my tuition but\xa0\nJulia's expenses were covered by our parents"}, {'start': '7564.240', 'end': '7569.040', 'text': 'They paid her many visits attended her college\xa0\nfunctions and were continuously positive about'}, {'start': '7569.040', 'end': '7575.120', 'text': 'her progress Meanwhile I had to fend for myself\xa0\nboth emotionally and financially I eventually'}, {'start': '7575.120', 'end': '7580.320', 'text': 'earned a nursing degree while Julia went to\xa0\nlaw school By then I had learned not to seek'}, {'start': '7580.320', 'end': '7586.720', 'text': 'my parents approval I moved out obtained a job and\xa0\nattempted to establish a life for myself But the'}, {'start': '7586.720', 'end': '7592.080', 'text': 'agony of those early years never left me Julia\xa0\nand I remained in touch but our connection was'}, {'start': '7592.080', 'end': '7598.400', 'text': 'strained She was always the successful attractive\xa0\nsister but I was just myself Fast forward a few'}, {'start': '7598.400', 'end': '7603.680', 'text': 'years I met a beautiful man named Alex and we\xa0\nmarried For the first time in my life I felt'}, {'start': '7603.680', 'end': '7609.440', 'text': 'truly appreciated and cherished Alex was aware\xa0\nof my family dynamics and was really helpful He'}, {'start': '7609.440', 'end': '7614.960', 'text': 'helped me realize my own worth beyond the shadows\xa0\ncast by my parents and sister We purchased a home'}, {'start': '7614.960', 'end': '7619.920', 'text': 'and I began to feel like I could finally leave\xa0\nthe past behind But Julia returned to my life'}, {'start': '7619.920', 'end': '7626.000', 'text': 'in an unexpected way She had completed law school\xa0\nand was working for a respected firm She became'}, {'start': '7626.000', 'end': '7631.120', 'text': "engaged to a man who seemed perfect in every\xa0\naspect Our parents were ecstatic and couldn't stop"}, {'start': '7631.120', 'end': '7636.160', 'text': 'talking about the forthcoming wedding I tried to\xa0\nbe pleased for her but old feelings of inadequacy'}, {'start': '7636.160', 'end': '7642.160', 'text': "and hatred came back Julia asked me to be her\xa0\nmaid of honor I was taken aback We weren't friends"}, {'start': '7642.160', 'end': '7647.040', 'text': 'and I questioned why she would want me in such an\xa0\nimportant capacity but she insisted on rebuilding'}, {'start': '7647.040', 'end': '7652.720', 'text': 'our connection I reluctantly consented believing\xa0\nthat this would be an opportunity to repair old'}, {'start': '7652.720', 'end': '7659.280', 'text': 'hurts The wedding preparations were a nightmare\xa0\nJulia was a bridezilla demanding and doineering'}, {'start': '7659.280', 'end': '7664.960', 'text': 'Every choice had to go via her and she frequently\xa0\nrejected my thoughts and proposals It was evident'}, {'start': '7664.960', 'end': '7670.320', 'text': 'that she had not changed much She still desired\xa0\nto be the center of attention But I gritted my'}, {'start': '7670.320', 'end': '7675.680', 'text': 'teeth and went along with it hoping to support\xa0\nher and even gain some of her favor Next came the'}, {'start': '7675.680', 'end': '7681.200', 'text': "bridal shower It was a spectacular event hosted\xa0\nby our parents and attended by Julia's numerous"}, {'start': '7681.200', 'end': '7686.960', 'text': 'friends and colleagues I felt out of place and\xa0\nuncomfortable but I kept a brave face During the'}, {'start': '7686.960', 'end': '7691.840', 'text': 'event our mother delivered a speech praising\xa0\nJulia to the skies She stated how proud they'}, {'start': '7691.840', 'end': '7697.520', 'text': 'were of her accomplishments and how attractive she\xa0\nappeared I stood there feeling invisible yet again'}, {'start': '7697.520', 'end': '7702.720', 'text': 'But then something unexpected occurred Julia\xa0\nseized the microphone and began speaking She'}, {'start': '7702.720', 'end': '7708.160', 'text': 'thanked everyone for attending then turned to face\xa0\nme Her response was "I want to take a moment to'}, {'start': '7708.160', 'end': '7713.040', 'text': "acknowledge my sister who has always been there\xa0\nfor me I know I haven't always shown it but I"}, {'start': '7713.040', 'end': '7719.200', 'text': "appreciate everything she's done She's strong kind\xa0\nand an amazing person I'm lucky to have her as my"}, {'start': '7719.200', 'end': '7725.600', 'text': 'sister." I was stunned Julia has never publicly\xa0\nrecognized me like this before Tears welled up'}, {'start': '7725.600', 'end': '7730.800', 'text': 'in my eyes and for a little minute I believed\xa0\nour relationship could alter Perhaps this was a'}, {'start': '7730.800', 'end': '7736.800', 'text': 'tipping point However the goodwill was short-lived\xa0\nJulia called me in a panic about a week before her'}, {'start': '7736.800', 'end': '7741.440', 'text': 'wedding She had misplaced the family heirloom\xa0\nnecklace that our grandmother had given us and'}, {'start': '7741.440', 'end': '7746.160', 'text': 'she was scheduled to wear it on her wedding day\xa0\nShe was hysterical and I dashed over to assist'}, {'start': '7746.160', 'end': '7751.440', 'text': "her in finding it We flipped her place upside\xa0\ndown and still couldn't find it 2 days later"}, {'start': '7751.440', 'end': '7756.640', 'text': 'Julia called me again accusing me of stealing the\xa0\nnecklace She claimed I must have taken it out of'}, {'start': '7756.640', 'end': '7762.080', 'text': 'jealousy I was astonished and hurt All I had done\xa0\nwas attempt to help her and now she was accusing'}, {'start': '7762.080', 'end': '7768.800', 'text': 'me of stealing Of course our parents believed her\xa0\nas they usually did with Julia I was devastated'}, {'start': '7768.800', 'end': '7773.280', 'text': 'Eventually Julia discovered the necklace in a\xa0\ndrawer she had forgotten about but the damage'}, {'start': '7773.280', 'end': '7778.720', 'text': 'had already occurred She never apologized for\xa0\naccusing me and neither did our parents The'}, {'start': '7778.720', 'end': '7784.560', 'text': 'wedding went on but I felt like an outsider in my\xa0\nown family After the wedding catastrophe Alex and'}, {'start': '7784.560', 'end': '7790.000', 'text': 'I chose to concentrate on our respective lives and\xa0\nfamilies Alex who had always been technologically'}, {'start': '7790.000', 'end': '7795.680', 'text': 'inclined began researching ways to make money\xa0\nonline Initially it was a side venture but he'}, {'start': '7795.680', 'end': '7800.640', 'text': 'quickly discovered a great formula and began\xa0\nearning thousands of dollars Within a year his'}, {'start': '7800.640', 'end': '7806.000', 'text': 'web projects were bringing in tens of thousands\xa0\nand our financial situation had much improved With'}, {'start': '7806.000', 'end': '7811.440', 'text': 'our newly acquired fortune we purchased a stunning\xa0\nmansion in a famous area Alex surprised me with'}, {'start': '7811.440', 'end': '7817.360', 'text': 'a Bugatti as a symbol of our success and we soon\xa0\nhad two beautiful children Life was great or so it'}, {'start': '7817.360', 'end': '7823.520', 'text': "appeared However my parents remained unconcerned\xa0\nabout our accomplishments Despite Julia's recent"}, {'start': '7823.520', 'end': '7828.800', 'text': 'marital issues they paid her periodic visits\xa0\nand were more engaged in her life Julia had been'}, {'start': '7828.800', 'end': '7833.120', 'text': 'living on her own since her marriage ended and\xa0\nwas struggling with her work She had been laid'}, {'start': '7833.120', 'end': '7837.840', 'text': 'off from a top legal firm and was struggling to\xa0\nmake ends meet Her jealousy grew worse when she'}, {'start': '7837.840', 'end': '7843.040', 'text': 'saw our success She came over one day claiming to\xa0\nwant to reconnect and spend time with her nieces'}, {'start': '7843.040', 'end': '7848.880', 'text': 'and nephew Initially I believed her I assumed she\xa0\nwas sincerely attempting to restore our shattered'}, {'start': '7848.880', 'end': '7854.640', 'text': 'relationship However it did not take long to learn\xa0\nher genuine objectives She started dropping up'}, {'start': '7854.640', 'end': '7860.080', 'text': 'unannounced often when Alex was home alone She\xa0\nwould dress provocatively and make subtle flirty'}, {'start': '7860.080', 'end': '7865.840', 'text': 'comments to him Alex being the faithful spouse\xa0\nhe is quickly informed me of her behavior We'}, {'start': '7865.840', 'end': '7870.640', 'text': 'were both stunned and outraged by her conduct\xa0\nRather than address her immediately we devised'}, {'start': '7870.640', 'end': '7875.680', 'text': 'a strategy to reveal her true colors We installed\xa0\nhidden cameras in the living room and other public'}, {'start': '7875.680', 'end': '7881.200', 'text': "locations to catch her in the act It wasn't long\xa0\nuntil we obtained the evidence we required Julia"}, {'start': '7881.200', 'end': '7886.320', 'text': 'made her move one day while I was supposed to be\xa0\nout running errands She approached Alex placed her'}, {'start': '7886.320', 'end': '7892.560', 'text': 'hand on his arm and whispered provocative things\xa0\ninto his ear Come on Alex She said "You deserve'}, {'start': '7892.560', 'end': '7897.840', 'text': 'someone who truly appreciates you Someone like\xa0\nme." Alex played along just long enough to keep'}, {'start': '7897.840', 'end': '7905.120', 'text': 'her talking Julia you need to stop I love my wife\xa0\nand this is incredibly inappropriate But Julia'}, {'start': '7905.120', 'end': '7911.280', 'text': "persisted leaning closer She doesn't have to know\xa0\nIt'll be our little secret That was the moment"}, {'start': '7911.280', 'end': '7918.320', 'text': 'we\'d been waiting for Alex forcibly pushed her\xa0\naway saying "Julia I\'m serious You need to leave'}, {'start': '7918.320', 'end': '7924.640', 'text': 'This is wrong on so many levels We documented the\xa0\nentire event on camera With the proof in hand we'}, {'start': '7924.640', 'end': '7930.720', 'text': "decided to take action First we convened a family\xa0\nmeeting which included Julia's husband who had"}, {'start': '7930.720', 'end': '7936.160', 'text': 'been unaware of her activities When everyone\xa0\nhad gathered we showed the video The room was'}, {'start': '7936.160', 'end': '7941.600', 'text': "silent as the video aired Julia's husband's\xa0\nface became red with rage and my parents were"}, {'start': '7941.600', 'end': '7947.200', 'text': "completely astonished The video concluded with\xa0\na tense silence before Julia's husband stood up"}, {'start': '7947.200', 'end': '7953.040', 'text': "Julia how could you After everything you try\xa0\nto seduce your own sister's husband His voice"}, {'start': '7953.040', 'end': '7958.160', 'text': 'was full of surprise and hurt Julia stammered\xa0\nattempting to come up with an excuse but there'}, {'start': '7958.160', 'end': '7964.160', 'text': 'was no disputing what we had witnessed Our parents\xa0\nlooked at her disappointed and disgusted Julia we'}, {'start': '7964.160', 'end': '7970.080', 'text': 'trusted you We always believed you were the better\xa0\ndaughter but this this is beyond forgiveness My'}, {'start': '7970.080', 'end': '7976.480', 'text': "mother replied her voice cracking My dad shook his\xa0\nhead You've brought shame to our family I don't"}, {'start': '7976.480', 'end': '7982.480', 'text': "even know who you are anymore Julia's husband\xa0\npromptly filed for divorce He left that same day"}, {'start': '7982.480', 'end': '7987.680', 'text': 'accompanied by their two children My parents\xa0\nwho had always elevated Julia to a pedestal'}, {'start': '7987.680', 'end': '7992.800', 'text': 'were forced to confront the truth of her behavior\xa0\nThey moved away from her unable to look at her in'}, {'start': '7992.800', 'end': '7999.120', 'text': "the same manner again Julia's world came crashing\xa0\ndown She has lost her husband her children and the"}, {'start': '7999.120', 'end': '8004.080', 'text': "support of our parents She tried to reach out to\xa0\nme but I couldn't bring myself to forgive her that"}, {'start': '8004.080', 'end': '8010.160', 'text': 'readily The scars were too fresh and the treachery\xa0\nwas too severe Alex and I continued to construct'}, {'start': '8010.160', 'end': '8015.840', 'text': "our lives together stronger than ever Julia's\xa0\nbetrayal however terrible had eventually brought"}, {'start': '8015.840', 'end': '8021.280', 'text': 'us together We knew we could handle anything as\xa0\nlong as we had each other Life went on but the'}, {'start': '8021.280', 'end': '8026.720', 'text': 'scars from the past remained My parents who had\xa0\nalways preferred Julia struggled to accept her'}, {'start': '8026.720', 'end': '8031.680', 'text': 'conduct They visited less frequently and when\xa0\nthey did it was evident that they were still'}, {'start': '8031.680', 'end': '8037.520', 'text': 'dealing with their disappointment They attempted\xa0\nto appear normal but the strain was evident Julia'}, {'start': '8037.520', 'end': '8042.320', 'text': 'on the other hand was attempting to gather\xa0\nup the pieces of her broken existence She had'}, {'start': '8042.320', 'end': '8046.880', 'text': 'lost her work and was struggling financially Her\xa0\nattempts to reconnect with her husband had been'}, {'start': '8046.880', 'end': '8052.960', 'text': 'unsuccessful and he had filed for full custody of\xa0\ntheir children She was alone and desperate One day'}, {'start': '8052.960', 'end': '8058.000', 'text': 'she appeared at our door looking more ragged and\xa0\nbroken than I had ever seen her She pleaded with'}, {'start': '8058.000', 'end': '8063.760', 'text': 'me to let her in so she could explain Despite my\xa0\nbetter judgment I agreed She sat at our kitchen'}, {'start': '8063.760', 'end': '8070.080', 'text': 'table tears flowing down her cheeks admitting\xa0\neverything "I\'m so sorry," she wailed "I\'ve'}, {'start': '8070.080', 'end': '8076.160', 'text': "been jealous of you for so long I saw how happy\xa0\nyou were how successful and I couldn't stand it I"}, {'start': '8076.160', 'end': '8082.400', 'text': 'thought if I could take Alex away I\'d feel better\xa0\nBut I was wrong I\'ve lost everything." Her words'}, {'start': '8082.400', 'end': '8089.040', 'text': 'struck me hard For so long I had regarded Julia as\xa0\nthe favored one the one who had everything I never'}, {'start': '8089.040', 'end': '8095.120', 'text': 'realized how deep her insecurities went I felt\xa0\nsympathy and hatred but mostly I was tired Tired'}, {'start': '8095.120', 'end': '8100.880', 'text': "of the drama the suffering and the neverending\xa0\ncycle of rivalry and animosity I don't know what"}, {'start': '8100.880', 'end': '8106.720', 'text': 'to say Julia I said "You\'ve hurt me in ways I\xa0\ncan\'t even begin to describe but I can\'t keep'}, {'start': '8106.720', 'end': '8112.560', 'text': 'living with this anger It\'s poisoning me and\xa0\nit\'s poisoning our family." Julia nodded tears'}, {'start': '8112.560', 'end': '8118.160', 'text': 'still running down her cheeks "I understand\xa0\nI don\'t expect you to forgive me right away'}, {'start': '8118.160', 'end': '8124.720', 'text': 'I just I just wanted you to know how sorry I am We\xa0\nsat quietly for a while the weight of our common'}, {'start': '8124.720', 'end': '8130.480', 'text': 'history hanging thick in the air Julia eventually\xa0\nwent leaving me to my own thoughts Could I ever'}, {'start': '8130.480', 'end': '8136.080', 'text': 'really forgive her Could we ever get past this\xa0\nIn the weeks that followed I concentrated on my'}, {'start': '8136.080', 'end': '8141.760', 'text': 'family and my personal recovery Alex was a rock\xa0\nfor me every step of the process We discussed'}, {'start': '8141.760', 'end': '8147.520', 'text': 'Julia the past and what the future might hold I\xa0\nslowly began to let go of some of my anger and'}, {'start': '8147.520', 'end': '8153.360', 'text': 'bitterness I recognized that holding on to it\xa0\nwas not benefiting anyone least of all myself'}, {'start': '8153.360', 'end': '8159.040', 'text': 'Julia continued to struggle but she started to\xa0\nmake changes She began going to therapy getting'}, {'start': '8159.040', 'end': '8164.560', 'text': "a job and rebuilding her relationship with her\xa0\nkids It wasn't easy and there were failures along"}, {'start': '8164.560', 'end': '8170.400', 'text': 'the road but she was making an effort which was\xa0\nsomething My parents remained distant The golden'}, {'start': '8170.400', 'end': '8175.200', 'text': 'child had fallen and they had no idea how to\xa0\ndeal with it They continued to see Julia on'}, {'start': '8175.200', 'end': '8179.920', 'text': 'occasion but it was evident that nothing would\xa0\never be the same They came to see us less and'}, {'start': '8179.920', 'end': '8184.720', 'text': "less and when they did the tension was evident\xa0\nIt seemed as if they didn't know how to interact"}, {'start': '8184.720', 'end': '8190.160', 'text': 'to me without the usual dynamic of favoritism\xa0\nOne sunny afternoon as I watched my children'}, {'start': '8190.160', 'end': '8196.160', 'text': 'play in our lovely garden I realized something\xa0\nprofound Despite everything I was content I had'}, {'start': '8196.160', 'end': '8202.160', 'text': "a nice husband wonderful children and a life I was\xa0\npleased with Julia's ax had been painful but they"}, {'start': '8202.160', 'end': '8208.399', 'text': 'had also brought me to a place of strength and\xa0\nresilience In the end life continued The scars'}, {'start': '8208.399', 'end': '8213.519', 'text': 'of the past would never be completely healed but\xa0\nthey did not have to define the future Julia and'}, {'start': '8213.520', 'end': '8218.800', 'text': "I started to restore our connection gradually and\xa0\ncautiously It wasn't perfect and never will be but"}, {'start': '8218.800', 'end': '8224.720', 'text': "it was a start For the time being I've decided to\xa0\nfocus on the now and the future The past had its"}, {'start': '8224.720', 'end': '8230.479', 'text': 'purpose but it no longer kept me captive Alex and\xa0\nI continued to create a life together full of love'}, {'start': '8230.479', 'end': '8236.399', 'text': 'laughter and the occasional struggle Our beautiful\xa0\nhome exceeded all of our expectations The mansion'}, {'start': '8236.399', 'end': '8242.319', 'text': 'was huge beautiful and ideal for raising a family\xa0\nThe children enjoyed their new rooms and the wide'}, {'start': '8242.319', 'end': '8247.359', 'text': 'backyard where they could play Alex and I were\xa0\nhappier than ever and for a while it appeared'}, {'start': '8247.359', 'end': '8253.280', 'text': 'that we had put the turmoil behind Part three\xa0\nAn unexpected turn Life seems to have settled'}, {'start': '8253.280', 'end': '8258.399', 'text': 'into a peaceful rhythm Julia and I worked hard\xa0\non our relationship and it gradually began to'}, {'start': '8258.399', 'end': '8264.319', 'text': 'improve She apologized sincerely and I noticed\xa0\na true improvement in her behavior We began'}, {'start': '8264.319', 'end': '8269.920', 'text': 'meeting for coffee discussing our lives and even\xa0\nplanned family outings together It was a relief to'}, {'start': '8269.920', 'end': '8275.680', 'text': "finally feel like I had a sister I could count\xa0\non Meanwhile Alex's career soared He accepted"}, {'start': '8275.680', 'end': '8280.640', 'text': 'an early retirement option from his software\xa0\nemployer which came with a large compensation'}, {'start': '8280.640', 'end': '8285.760', 'text': 'We were now financially secure beyond our wildest\xa0\nexpectations and Alex was excited to spend more'}, {'start': '8285.760', 'end': '8290.960', 'text': 'time with the family and work on personal projects\xa0\nHowever the peace we had worked so hard for was'}, {'start': '8290.960', 'end': '8296.399', 'text': 'quickly broken My mother who had always preferred\xa0\nJulia appeared reluctant to accept the changes in'}, {'start': '8296.399', 'end': '8301.839', 'text': "our family dynamic She couldn't get the suspicion\xa0\nthat I had set Julia up with the video evidence"}, {'start': '8301.840', 'end': '8307.280', 'text': 'The thought persisted in her head and she became\xa0\nincreasingly aloof and hostile One morning while'}, {'start': '8307.280', 'end': '8312.240', 'text': 'I was preparing breakfast the cops appeared at our\xa0\ndoor with a search warrant They discovered other'}, {'start': '8312.240', 'end': '8317.040', 'text': 'items in our garage that I had never seen before\xa0\nincluding pieces from a stolen car that had been'}, {'start': '8317.040', 'end': '8322.479', 'text': 'reported missing months before I was stunned as\xa0\nthey handcuffed me and hauled me into custody I'}, {'start': '8322.479', 'end': '8327.599', 'text': 'kept thinking that it was a terrible mistake Alex\xa0\nwho was on a business trip rushed home as soon'}, {'start': '8327.600', 'end': '8332.880', 'text': 'as he received the news He quickly engaged one of\xa0\nthe top criminal defense attorneys in the country'}, {'start': '8332.880', 'end': '8338.640', 'text': 'Rachel Hargrove a talented but pricey barristister\xa0\nRachel assured us that she would get to the bottom'}, {'start': '8338.640', 'end': '8344.960', 'text': 'of things and clear my name The court date arrived\xa0\nsoon Rachel worked tirelessly in the days leading'}, {'start': '8344.960', 'end': '8350.080', 'text': 'up to the trial going over every detail and\xa0\nquestioning everybody who may provide information'}, {'start': '8350.080', 'end': '8356.000', 'text': 'During our investigations we discovered the awful\xa0\ntruth My own mother had planned the entire plot'}, {'start': '8356.000', 'end': '8361.280', 'text': 'Apparently my mother had underworld friends who\xa0\nhelped her obtain the stolen car parts She had'}, {'start': '8361.280', 'end': '8366.639', 'text': 'planted them in our garage attempting to tarnish\xa0\nmy reputation and in her warp manner teach me a'}, {'start': '8366.640', 'end': '8372.080', 'text': 'lesson for what she saw as my betrayal of Julia\xa0\nShe refused to recognize that her golden child'}, {'start': '8372.080', 'end': '8377.600', 'text': 'was at fault Instead believing that I was the\xa0\nmanipulator The trial was tough The prosecution'}, {'start': '8377.600', 'end': '8382.479', 'text': 'presented their case convinced that they had\xa0\nsufficient evidence to convict me But Rachel was'}, {'start': '8382.479', 'end': '8387.280', 'text': 'prepared She provided irrefutable evidence that\xa0\nthe car parts had been installed in our garage'}, {'start': '8387.280', 'end': '8392.319', 'text': "without our knowledge She also called a witness\xa0\none of my mother's accompllices who claimed that"}, {'start': '8392.319', 'end': '8398.000', 'text': 'my mother had coordinated the entire operation It\xa0\nbarely took the jury 2 hours to deliberate They'}, {'start': '8398.000', 'end': '8404.640', 'text': 'judged me not guilty of all accusations I was free\xa0\nbut the ordeal had left a lasting scar My mother'}, {'start': '8404.640', 'end': '8410.640', 'text': 'however was not so fortunate The judge sentenced\xa0\nher to 5 years in jail for fraud and conspiracy'}, {'start': '8410.640', 'end': '8415.359', 'text': 'The judge made it clear that her conduct were\xa0\nboth illegal and morally abhorrent The courtroom'}, {'start': '8415.359', 'end': '8421.040', 'text': "became hushed as the verdict was read My mother's\xa0\nexpression was one of shock and rage She never"}, {'start': '8421.040', 'end': '8427.040', 'text': 'expected her scheme would fail so spectacularly As\xa0\nthey dragged her away she gave me a hateful look'}, {'start': '8427.040', 'end': '8432.560', 'text': 'It was a sad moment but I knew justice had been\xa0\ndone Following the trial our family was left to'}, {'start': '8432.560', 'end': '8437.520', 'text': "pick up the pieces Julia was horrified by our\xa0\nmother's behavior and suffered from emotions"}, {'start': '8437.520', 'end': '8443.040', 'text': 'of guilt and humiliation She relied on me for\xa0\nsupport and for the first time I felt like the'}, {'start': '8443.040', 'end': '8448.880', 'text': 'elder sister the protector Alex and I took some\xa0\ntime to recover from our tragedy We spent more'}, {'start': '8448.880', 'end': '8454.000', 'text': 'time with our children making positive memories\xa0\nand ensuring they felt safe and loved Our bond'}, {'start': '8454.000', 'end': '8458.560', 'text': "grew deeper and we recognized that no matter\xa0\nwhat obstacles we faced we'd always have each"}, {'start': '8458.560', 'end': '8464.960', 'text': "other Julia determined to atone for our mother's\xa0\nsins worked tirelessly to reconstruct her life She"}, {'start': '8464.960', 'end': '8470.160', 'text': 'acquired a new job and began dating again She\xa0\nstayed close to us enjoying the family support'}, {'start': '8470.160', 'end': '8475.920', 'text': "she had previously taken for granted My father\xa0\nstruggled to accept my mother's infidelity He"}, {'start': '8475.920', 'end': '8480.880', 'text': 'had always been more passive matching her powerful\xa0\ndemeanor But this occurrence shocked him to the'}, {'start': '8480.880', 'end': '8486.640', 'text': 'core He paid her a visit in prison but their\xa0\nconnection remained difficult and distant Life'}, {'start': '8486.640', 'end': '8491.600', 'text': 'ultimately discovered a new normal Our family\xa0\ngatherings were tiny but they were full of true'}, {'start': '8491.600', 'end': '8497.680', 'text': "love and connection We honestly discussed the past\xa0\nour faults and the lessons we'd learned It wasn't"}, {'start': '8497.680', 'end': '8503.760', 'text': 'flawless but it was authentic which was enough\xa0\nThrough it all Alex was my rock His constant'}, {'start': '8503.760', 'end': '8509.359', 'text': 'encouragement and affection kept me going even on\xa0\nthe worst days His early retirement allowed dad'}, {'start': '8509.359', 'end': '8513.599', 'text': 'to spend more time with us and he launched a new\xa0\nbusiness that matched his technical knowledge with'}, {'start': '8513.600', 'end': '8519.120', 'text': 'his desire to serve others We shifted our focus to\xa0\nthe future instilling new traditions and ensuring'}, {'start': '8519.120', 'end': '8524.080', 'text': 'our children grew up in a loving and supportive\xa0\natmosphere The past would continue to be a part of'}, {'start': '8524.080', 'end': '8529.840', 'text': 'our tale but it no longer defined us 5 years had\xa0\ngone since the traumatic circumstances that led'}, {'start': '8529.840', 'end': '8535.680', 'text': "to my mother's imprisonment Throughout those years\xa0\nour lives gradually returned to a state of normaly"}, {'start': '8535.680', 'end': '8540.960', 'text': 'Alex and I continued to prosper Our children grew\xa0\nup happy and loved and Julia became a vital part'}, {'start': '8540.960', 'end': '8545.840', 'text': 'of our family having entirely repaired our\xa0\npreviously shattered connection Despite the'}, {'start': '8545.840', 'end': '8550.880', 'text': 'anguish of the past we were able to construct\xa0\na tranquil and pleasant existence Our family'}, {'start': '8550.880', 'end': '8556.319', 'text': 'gatherings while smaller were filled with laughter\xa0\nand genuine connection We frequently reminisced'}, {'start': '8556.319', 'end': '8561.519', 'text': 'on the past appreciating the lessons learned and\xa0\nthe strength we found in one another However the'}, {'start': '8561.520', 'end': '8566.160', 'text': 'serenity we had established was shattered once\xa0\nmore when my mother was freed from prison She'}, {'start': '8566.160', 'end': '8571.120', 'text': 'had served her sentence but her bitterness and\xa0\nanimosity had not subsided She was a different'}, {'start': '8571.120', 'end': '8576.479', 'text': 'woman now elderly and virtually blind but her\xa0\nhatred for me had grown even deeper Unbeknownst'}, {'start': '8576.479', 'end': '8581.599', 'text': 'to us my mother was scheming her retribution She\xa0\nbelieved I had destroyed her life and wanted to'}, {'start': '8581.600', 'end': '8586.960', 'text': 'hold me accountable One fateful day she took a\xa0\nshotgun from a nearby farm and started out to'}, {'start': '8586.960', 'end': '8592.960', 'text': 'get me Her objective was to catch me off surprise\xa0\nand take my life I had no notion how dangerous the'}, {'start': '8592.960', 'end': '8598.880', 'text': 'situation was It was a bright afternoon and I had\xa0\ntaken the kids to the park Alex was out running'}, {'start': '8598.880', 'end': '8604.240', 'text': 'errands while Julia was at work I was sitting\xa0\non a bench watching my children play when I'}, {'start': '8604.240', 'end': '8609.359', 'text': 'suddenly felt a searing pain I turned to see\xa0\nmy mother standing a few feet away Her shotgun'}, {'start': '8609.359', 'end': '8614.719', 'text': 'pointed directly at me Her expression was a mix\xa0\nof wrath and determination She screamed something'}, {'start': '8614.720', 'end': '8619.840', 'text': 'incoherent and fired several bullets in rapid\xa0\nsuccession Despite her fading eyesight and weak'}, {'start': '8619.840', 'end': '8625.040', 'text': 'hands two rounds reached their target One impacted\xa0\nme in the buttocks while the other damaged my'}, {'start': '8625.040', 'end': '8631.040', 'text': 'right leg The pain was intense and I collapsed\xa0\nto the floor unable to move Bystanders phoned'}, {'start': '8631.040', 'end': '8636.319', 'text': 'the police after they heard gunfire When my mother\xa0\nsaw the commotion and realized her plan had failed'}, {'start': '8636.319', 'end': '8641.120', 'text': 'she attempted to run but was swiftly captured\xa0\nby authorities She was detained and eventually'}, {'start': '8641.120', 'end': '8646.000', 'text': 'charged with attempted murder which resulted in\xa0\na 10-year prison sentence I was brought to the'}, {'start': '8646.000', 'end': '8650.640', 'text': 'hospital and had surgery to remove the bullets\xa0\nand fix the damage The doctors told Alex and'}, {'start': '8650.640', 'end': '8654.880', 'text': 'Julia that I would recover completely but the\xa0\nphysical and emotional scars would take a long'}, {'start': '8654.880', 'end': '8661.520', 'text': 'time to heal Throughout my 3-week hospital stay\xa0\nAlex never left my side He was my rock offering'}, {'start': '8661.520', 'end': '8667.200', 'text': 'constant support and strength Julia came everyday\xa0\nbringing me my favorite delicacies and lifting my'}, {'start': '8667.200', 'end': '8671.920', 'text': 'spirits with her stories and laughs Their devotion\xa0\nand dedication were the pillars that helped me'}, {'start': '8671.920', 'end': '8676.880', 'text': 'get through the hardest times During those long\xa0\npeaceful hours in the hospital I had plenty of'}, {'start': '8676.880', 'end': '8681.200', 'text': "time to think about all that had transpired\xa0\nMy mother's actions left me feeling shocked"}, {'start': '8681.200', 'end': '8686.080', 'text': "and betrayed which was significant I couldn't\xa0\ncomprehend how she let her anger for me consume"}, {'start': '8686.080', 'end': '8690.880', 'text': 'her to the point that she attempted to kill me\xa0\nDespite the anguish and bewilderment there was a'}, {'start': '8690.880', 'end': '8696.319', 'text': 'strong sense of appreciation I was alive and I had\xa0\na loving family who supported me through thick and'}, {'start': '8696.319', 'end': '8701.759', 'text': "thin Writing this piece is my way of absorbing\xa0\nwhat has transpired It's a chance for me to"}, {'start': '8701.760', 'end': '8706.160', 'text': 'express my gratitude to everyone who has helped\xa0\nme along the path who has offered encouraging'}, {'start': '8706.160', 'end': '8711.200', 'text': 'words when I needed them the most Your support\xa0\nhas meant everything to me The atmosphere in the'}, {'start': '8711.200', 'end': '8716.479', 'text': "courtroom was tight during my mother's trial The\xa0\nprosecution provided information about her crime"}, {'start': '8716.479', 'end': '8721.919', 'text': 'and the evidence against her was overwhelming My\xa0\nmother sat there a shell of her former self but'}, {'start': '8721.920', 'end': '8727.760', 'text': 'the rage and bitterness in her eyes were clear She\xa0\ndisplayed no sorrow only icy determination which'}, {'start': '8727.760', 'end': '8733.600', 'text': 'exacerbated the already awful situation The jury\xa0\ndid not take long to deliberate Given the clear'}, {'start': '8733.600', 'end': '8738.479', 'text': 'evidence of her deliberate actions they convicted\xa0\nher of attempted murder The judge sentenced her'}, {'start': '8738.479', 'end': '8744.080', 'text': 'to life in prison highlighting the gravity of her\xa0\nconduct and the breach of trust in our family As'}, {'start': '8744.080', 'end': '8749.760', 'text': 'she was carried away I felt a mixture of relief\xa0\nand sadness This was my mother the woman who once'}, {'start': '8749.760', 'end': '8755.120', 'text': 'looked after me now damned by her own hatred\xa0\nand actions Life after the trial was a lengthy'}, {'start': '8755.120', 'end': '8761.359', 'text': 'process of recovery The physical wounds began to\xa0\nheal but the emotional scars were deeper Alex was'}, {'start': '8761.359', 'end': '8766.240', 'text': 'great throughout it all his constant support\xa0\nand love providing me the strength I required'}, {'start': '8766.240', 'end': '8770.559', 'text': 'He balanced his work and caring for the children\xa0\nensuring that they understood what had happened'}, {'start': '8770.560', 'end': '8776.240', 'text': 'in a way that preserved their innocence Julia\xa0\nwas similarly amazing Despite her own troubled'}, {'start': '8776.240', 'end': '8781.040', 'text': 'connection with our mother she supported me and\xa0\noffered comfort and understanding She had really'}, {'start': '8781.040', 'end': '8786.399', 'text': 'changed and our friendship was stronger than\xa0\never We relied on one another finding solace in'}, {'start': '8786.399', 'end': '8791.839', 'text': 'our common experiences and hope for a brighter\xa0\nfuture During my recovery Alex and I had many'}, {'start': '8791.840', 'end': '8796.560', 'text': 'long chats about our lives and our goals for\xa0\nthe future We choose to focus on providing a'}, {'start': '8796.560', 'end': '8802.000', 'text': 'stable loving atmosphere for our children making\xa0\nthem feel safe and valued Our house became a'}, {'start': '8802.000', 'end': '8808.240', 'text': 'haven for laughter love and the warmth of family\xa0\nThe community support was overwhelming Friends'}, {'start': '8808.240', 'end': '8813.519', 'text': "neighbors and even strangers sent warm words and\xa0\ngestures It reminded me of people's goodness and"}, {'start': '8813.520', 'end': '8818.800', 'text': 'helped me restore my trust in humanity I received\xa0\nnumerous comments from people who had followed our'}, {'start': '8818.800', 'end': '8824.160', 'text': 'tale expressing their encouragement and sharing\xa0\ntheir own stories of overcoming adversity Three'}, {'start': '8824.160', 'end': '8829.200', 'text': "weeks after the incident I felt strong enough to\xa0\ncompose this post It's a chance for me to express"}, {'start': '8829.200', 'end': '8833.760', 'text': 'my gratitude to everyone who has helped me along\xa0\nthe path who has offered encouraging words when'}, {'start': '8833.760', 'end': '8839.200', 'text': "I needed them the most Your support has meant\xa0\neverything to me Most of all I'd like to thank"}, {'start': '8839.200', 'end': '8846.399', 'text': "my husband Alex and my sister Julia Alex you've\xa0\nbeen my rock my strength and my greatest love"}, {'start': '8846.399', 'end': '8851.280', 'text': "Your constant support and love have helped me get\xa0\nthrough the toughest moments Julia you've taught"}, {'start': '8851.280', 'end': '8856.639', 'text': 'me what true forgiveness and redemption look like\xa0\nOur bond has never been stronger and I am grateful'}, {'start': '8856.640', 'end': '8862.560', 'text': 'every day for the sister you have become Life is\xa0\nunexpected and the future is constantly unknown'}, {'start': '8862.560', 'end': '8867.439', 'text': "But with the love and support of those that matter\xa0\nmost I'm confident I can tackle whatever comes my"}, {'start': '8867.439', 'end': '8873.679', 'text': "way Thank you for taking part in my adventure As\xa0\nI look ahead I am filled with hope My mother's"}, {'start': '8873.680', 'end': '8879.280', 'text': 'acts however painful did not break me They have\xa0\nhelped me become stronger and more resilient'}, {'start': '8879.280', 'end': '8884.399', 'text': 'I am resolved to live a life filled with love\xa0\nkindness and compassion and to instill in my'}, {'start': '8884.399', 'end': '8892.080', 'text': 'children the value of forgiveness and family My\xa0\nfather secretly took out $73,000 in loans under'}, {'start': '8892.080', 'end': '8898.080', 'text': 'my name ruined my credit and left me with the\xa0\ndebt Now I must decide whether to file charges'}, {'start': '8898.080', 'end': '8905.439', 'text': 'Original post I 21 graduated from university with\xa0\nmy undergrad in 2024 At the time of graduating'}, {'start': '8905.439', 'end': '8910.639', 'text': 'I thought that I had around 10,000 of federal\xa0\nstudent loans Recently my mom left my emotionally'}, {'start': '8910.640', 'end': '8916.319', 'text': 'abusive father leaving just her me and my sibling\xa0\nby ourselves I was happy at this decision until I'}, {'start': '8916.319', 'end': '8921.200', 'text': 'found out that the $10,000 of debt I thought I\xa0\nwas in was actually far more than that I knew'}, {'start': '8921.200', 'end': '8926.160', 'text': 'that throughout my first year of university he had\xa0\ntaken out some private student loans for me I was'}, {'start': '8926.160', 'end': '8931.120', 'text': "told by my father that since I was only 18 at the\xa0\ntime the bank we loaned from wouldn't allow me to"}, {'start': '8931.120', 'end': '8935.200', 'text': "pull out loans since I didn't have good credit\xa0\nHe told me that he would be able to take out"}, {'start': '8935.200', 'end': '8939.120', 'text': "these student loans under my mother's name and\xa0\nthat he'd pay them off as soon as I'm done with"}, {'start': '8939.120', 'end': '8944.880', 'text': 'school I found out recently that the loans were in\xa0\nfact under my name with my mom just as a co-signer'}, {'start': '8944.880', 'end': '8949.920', 'text': 'Also that the loans were far more than was needed\xa0\nto pay for my tuition She did not know this either'}, {'start': '8949.920', 'end': '8957.120', 'text': 'BTW he had taken out a total of $48,000 in private\xa0\nstudent loans under my name I remember signing for'}, {'start': '8957.120', 'end': '8962.800', 'text': 'these He did not forge my signature When I asked\xa0\nexactly what I was signing for or more details'}, {'start': '8962.800', 'end': '8968.000', 'text': 'about everything he told me stop asking questions\xa0\nand just trust me Every time I tried to push for'}, {'start': '8968.000', 'end': '8973.840', 'text': 'answers I got that response I trusted him I\xa0\ntrusted that he would not screw me over I had'}, {'start': '8973.840', 'end': '8979.040', 'text': "trusted him to help build my credit when I turned\xa0\n18 I found out now that he's completely messed up"}, {'start': '8979.040', 'end': '8986.960', 'text': 'my credit too My TransUnion score is 669 and my\xa0\nEquifax score is 577 He used my tuition money'}, {'start': '8986.960', 'end': '8992.399', 'text': 'for rent and bills I do not know what he used the\xa0\nmoney he got from my credit cards for throughout'}, {'start': '8992.399', 'end': '8997.759', 'text': 'the past few years He had convinced us that he was\xa0\nmaking a lot of money from his job I now realize'}, {'start': '8997.760', 'end': '9002.240', 'text': 'that he was likely lying about that and just\xa0\nsecretly screwing me over and my mom too since'}, {'start': '9002.240', 'end': '9009.200', 'text': "he's also messed up her credit I have three closed\xa0\ncredit cards that are in debt I think one is $6,55"}, {'start': '9009.200', 'end': '9019.200', 'text': 'balance $2,250 credit limit with $6,55 due The\xa0\nsecond is $12,864 reported balance 1,000 credit'}, {'start': '9019.200', 'end': '9025.280', 'text': "limit with $0 due Does this second one mean that I\xa0\ndon't have to pay off the balance The third one is"}, {'start': '9025.280', 'end': '9033.920', 'text': '$6,228 balance $6,000 credit limit with $714 due\xa0\nFrom what I have looked up it seems like I owe a'}, {'start': '9033.920', 'end': '9040.000', 'text': "little over $35,000 in credit card debt I also\xa0\nknow that he's messed up my siblings credit too"}, {'start': '9040.000', 'end': '9045.680', 'text': "I'm not sure by how much I haven't had the chance\xa0\nto look into that Also I think it's important to"}, {'start': '9045.680', 'end': '9051.359', 'text': 'note that he currently owes three different family\xa0\nmembers over $200,000 I found this out this week'}, {'start': '9051.359', 'end': '9058.160', 'text': 'too Flash forward to now I found out about these\xa0\nloans a few days ago I now have a total of $58,000'}, {'start': '9058.160', 'end': '9063.200', 'text': 'in student loan debt in addition to my credit debt\xa0\nMy first student loan payment is due in less than'}, {'start': '9063.200', 'end': '9069.359', 'text': "3 weeks I need advice I don't want to take legal\xa0\naction against him I don't want him to end up in"}, {'start': '9069.359', 'end': '9074.880', 'text': 'jail He is currently helping us by paying for our\xa0\nrent and car even though my mom has left him My'}, {'start': '9074.880', 'end': '9079.600', 'text': "mom doesn't currently have a job though she is\xa0\nlooking And my job doesn't make nearly enough to"}, {'start': '9079.600', 'end': '9085.120', 'text': 'provide for ourselves without his help In August I\xa0\nwill start a higherp paying job and possibly pick'}, {'start': '9085.120', 'end': '9090.080', 'text': 'up a second job to pay off my debt So I could ask\xa0\nhim to just send me money every month instead of'}, {'start': '9090.080', 'end': '9096.000', 'text': 'paying for rent in the car I could use that money\xa0\nto help pay off the debt As of right now I am not'}, {'start': '9096.000', 'end': '9100.720', 'text': 'worried about my federal student loans The minimum\xa0\npayment is doable and I will receive around'}, {'start': '9100.720', 'end': '9106.240', 'text': '$14,000 of tuition reimbursement in March April\xa0\nso that will help Should I consolidate the private'}, {'start': '9106.240', 'end': '9112.479', 'text': "loans Should I refinance I've briefly considered\xa0\nfiling for bankruptcy since I have no assets but"}, {'start': '9112.479', 'end': '9117.040', 'text': "I know that's probably a bad idea Is there a\xa0\nway for me to not have to deal with this debt"}, {'start': '9117.040', 'end': '9124.160', 'text': 'without landing him in a lot of trouble Relevant\xa0\ncomments Did OOP know what they signed OP It was'}, {'start': '9124.160', 'end': '9129.040', 'text': 'an electronic signature for the loan where you use\xa0\nthe mouse to draw out your signature He called me'}, {'start': '9129.040', 'end': '9133.760', 'text': "over to sign it on his laptop At the time I still\xa0\nthought that the money would be under my mother's"}, {'start': '9133.760', 'end': '9139.200', 'text': "name I also did not know how much money it would\xa0\nbe Commenter one I don't want to take legal action"}, {'start': '9139.200', 'end': '9143.840', 'text': "against him Okay then you're going to have to\xa0\npay the loans or declare bankruptcy Commenter"}, {'start': '9143.840', 'end': '9149.120', 'text': "two I don't want to take legal action against\xa0\nhim I don't want him to end up in jail You need"}, {'start': '9149.120', 'end': '9153.920', 'text': "to get past this because he doesn't care what he\xa0\ndoes to you And he isn't only hurting you he is"}, {'start': '9153.920', 'end': '9158.399', 'text': 'hurting and taking advantage of a lot of people\xa0\nand is actively ruining your futures to benefit'}, {'start': '9158.399', 'end': '9164.240', 'text': 'himself He is currently helping us by paying for\xa0\nour rent and car Even though my mom has left him'}, {'start': '9164.240', 'end': '9169.280', 'text': "he isn't helping you He is providing just enough\xa0\nto hope you don't take action against him And the"}, {'start': '9169.280', 'end': '9174.639', 'text': 'money is money he owes you not that he is using\xa0\nto support you out of care for you and your family'}, {'start': '9174.640', 'end': '9180.000', 'text': 'He is not helping He is using money he took from\xa0\nyou and others to pay for that You are paying for'}, {'start': '9180.000', 'end': '9185.359', 'text': "that help in the form of increasing debt not him\xa0\nAnd if he doesn't face serious repercussions for"}, {'start': '9185.359', 'end': '9189.679', 'text': "his actions he is going to keep doing it And you\xa0\nwill never get out of the increasing debt he'll"}, {'start': '9189.680', 'end': '9194.399', 'text': 'continue to saddle you and everyone else with\xa0\nAt the very least you need to make sure you and'}, {'start': '9194.399', 'end': '9198.879', 'text': 'your siblings credit is locked down now to prevent\xa0\nhim from taking out new cards and loans under your'}, {'start': '9198.880', 'end': '9204.399', 'text': 'names But you really really need to just report\xa0\nhim to the police so you can remove that debt Why'}, {'start': '9204.399', 'end': '9209.040', 'text': "are you so worried about ruining his life when he\xa0\nisn't worried about ruining the lives of you your"}, {'start': '9209.040', 'end': '9214.640', 'text': 'siblings and everyone else he has taken advantage\xa0\nof If anyone ruins his life it will be him by his'}, {'start': '9214.640', 'end': '9220.560', 'text': "own actions Update: Editor's note Remove the top\xa0\npart of the post as it is a rehash of the original"}, {'start': '9220.560', 'end': '9225.600', 'text': 'post update After reading all these responses\xa0\nand talking with some close friends of mine I'}, {'start': '9225.600', 'end': '9230.479', 'text': 'see that the best thing to do is file against him\xa0\nI brought up the topic to my mother last night and'}, {'start': '9230.479', 'end': '9236.240', 'text': 'she being very religious said "No don\'t do that\xa0\nGod wouldn\'t want you to harm another person like'}, {'start': '9236.240', 'end': '9240.960', 'text': 'this let alone your own father." She said that\xa0\nshe\'d rather take on the private student loan'}, {'start': '9240.960', 'end': '9245.359', 'text': "debt by refinancing and transferring it to her but\xa0\nhonestly that wouldn't remove the credit card debt"}, {'start': '9245.359', 'end': '9250.240', 'text': "and it would leave her with the debt instead I\xa0\ndon't think that's a good choice I think that if I"}, {'start': '9250.240', 'end': '9256.080', 'text': 'file against my dad my mother will kick me out So\xa0\nif I file I will already be prepared to move out'}, {'start': '9256.080', 'end': '9260.960', 'text': 'That being said I currently only have $2,000 saved\xa0\nup from work and that will not be enough to move'}, {'start': '9260.960', 'end': '9267.040', 'text': "out on my own I'd need more money to get a car\xa0\nplace and overall survive I just moved to the city"}, {'start': '9267.040', 'end': '9272.240', 'text': "I am in less than a year ago so I don't have many\xa0\npeople to rely on here My boyfriend offered to let"}, {'start': '9272.240', 'end': '9276.240', 'text': "me live at his family's house but I'd still need\xa0\nto be able to travel to and from work and I don't"}, {'start': '9276.240', 'end': '9280.639', 'text': "want to overstay my welcome I also don't have the\xa0\noption to move because I have to work in the state"}, {'start': '9280.640', 'end': '9286.720', 'text': "of Florida to qualify for my university's tuition\xa0\nreimbursement In March I have over $14,000 of"}, {'start': '9286.720', 'end': '9292.240', 'text': 'tuition reimbursement coming in My best bet would\xa0\nbe to wait till March and then leave It breaks my'}, {'start': '9292.240', 'end': '9296.479', 'text': "heart to do this because I could be disowned by\xa0\nevery person in my family but I can't let myself"}, {'start': '9296.479', 'end': '9301.519', 'text': 'live with this debt Prior to this I thought I\xa0\nonly had $10,000 worth of debt and with that'}, {'start': '9301.520', 'end': '9306.800', 'text': "I could have easily lived a good life and paid\xa0\nit off quickly I'm still not 100% set on this"}, {'start': '9306.800', 'end': '9311.680', 'text': 'decision but I do realize that it is the logical\xa0\nthing to do I want to speak with my sibling to see'}, {'start': '9311.680', 'end': '9316.319', 'text': "how much debt my father put them in and to see if\xa0\nthey'd want to file too I also want to speak with"}, {'start': '9316.319', 'end': '9320.960', 'text': 'a lawyer or someone more knowledgeable than me\xa0\nabout this Does anyone have any advice based on'}, {'start': '9320.960', 'end': '9326.880', 'text': "this update Update number two In response to the\xa0\ncomments I've gotten my mom's religious comments"}, {'start': '9326.880', 'end': '9332.000', 'text': "are obviously ridiculous but I'm mostly looking\xa0\nfor help with how to file or what to expect I have"}, {'start': '9332.000', 'end': '9337.680', 'text': "records showing $23,000 of refunds went to a bank\xa0\naccount he controlled I didn't see a dime of that"}, {'start': '9337.680', 'end': '9344.240', 'text': 'money and I think he used it to pay for a vacation\xa0\nNGL relevant comments Is it possible for OOP to'}, {'start': '9344.240', 'end': '9350.240', 'text': "find a new place or rent near their job Oop I'm\xa0\na substitute teacher I work at different schools"}, {'start': '9350.240', 'end': '9354.880', 'text': "around the county so it wouldn't be possible\xa0\nfor me to get a job near work unfortunately How"}, {'start': '9354.880', 'end': '9361.680', 'text': "did OOP's father get involved in OOP signing the\xa0\ndocuments with their mother Oop All I did was sign"}, {'start': '9361.680', 'end': '9367.680', 'text': 'He filled out everything Now I understand looking\xa0\nback that I was stupid for signing without asking'}, {'start': '9367.680', 'end': '9372.080', 'text': 'But after some further looking into things I\xa0\nsee that the amount of money I was refunded by'}, {'start': '9372.080', 'end': '9377.359', 'text': 'my school was an insane amount and not an amount\xa0\nI could have spent by myself in one semester aka'}, {'start': '9377.359', 'end': '9382.719', 'text': '12,000 extra refunded in a semester where my\xa0\ntuition was only 2,000 He must have used that'}, {'start': '9382.720', 'end': '9389.120', 'text': "money himself on non-education related things Also\xa0\nthe credit cards I did not sign for I didn't even"}, {'start': '9389.120', 'end': '9395.519', 'text': 'know that you signed for credit cards He did that\xa0\nall himself Commenter one it sounds to me like'}, {'start': '9395.520', 'end': '9400.240', 'text': "both your mom and your dad are in this together\xa0\nand that if you don't file against them they"}, {'start': '9400.240', 'end': '9405.840', 'text': "will come out ahead and you will come out behind\xa0\nCommenter two God didn't want your mom to leave"}, {'start': '9405.840', 'end': '9411.600', 'text': "your dad either but she did So she doesn't have\xa0\na leg to stand on when is preaching to you Report"}, {'start': '9411.600', 'end': '9417.200', 'text': "him to anyone you can Also if you were under 18\xa0\nyears old you can't be held responsible for any"}, {'start': '9417.200', 'end': '9423.359', 'text': 'contracts Am I the [\xa0__\xa0] for refusing to help\xa0\nmy father and stepmother and telling them they'}, {'start': '9423.359', 'end': '9429.679', 'text': 'deserve the karma hitting them hard right now\xa0\nSo when I was around 16 my father 44 million'}, {'start': '9429.680', 'end': '9435.760', 'text': 'began seeing my stepmother Julia 30 million and\xa0\nthey married 2 years later Just to clarify this'}, {'start': '9435.760', 'end': '9441.840', 'text': "woman never liked me She's the reason I was kicked\xa0\nout of my house at 19 Since then I haven't spoken"}, {'start': '9441.840', 'end': '9447.359', 'text': "with either my father or her until a few days ago\xa0\nwhen my father arrived at my place to talk I'll"}, {'start': '9447.359', 'end': '9451.920', 'text': 'get to that later but first I need to explain\xa0\nwhat went wrong so you can see who Julia truly'}, {'start': '9451.920', 'end': '9457.520', 'text': 'is My mother died when I was just 9 years old\xa0\nMy father had been in other relationships since'}, {'start': '9457.520', 'end': '9463.200', 'text': 'then but he was completely committed to Julia from\xa0\nthe start She moved in with us within a few months'}, {'start': '9463.200', 'end': '9468.319', 'text': 'Even though she was only a few years older than\xa0\nme she required me to address her as mom At the'}, {'start': '9468.319', 'end': '9475.280', 'text': 'time I was 16 and she was 24 We were just 8 years\xa0\napart in age I never called her mom or saw her as'}, {'start': '9475.280', 'end': '9480.160', 'text': 'maternal since I thought it was inappropriate\xa0\nEven if she had been older I doubt I would have'}, {'start': '9480.160', 'end': '9485.680', 'text': "addressed her as mom because my biological mother\xa0\nhad died only 6 years earlier I wasn't prepared to"}, {'start': '9485.680', 'end': '9491.600', 'text': 'start calling someone else mom and replacing her\xa0\nso quickly Furthermore when Julia made her request'}, {'start': '9491.600', 'end': '9496.640', 'text': 'she had only been with my father for 8 months They\xa0\nmight take their relationship at their own pace'}, {'start': '9496.640', 'end': '9501.120', 'text': "but that didn't mean I had to accept her into my\xa0\nlife at the same rate especially since she hadn't"}, {'start': '9501.120', 'end': '9505.840', 'text': 'tried to get along with me I calmly informed her\xa0\nthat I would not feel comfortable referring to'}, {'start': '9505.840', 'end': '9510.640', 'text': "her as my mother because I did not feel linked\xa0\nto her or saw her as a maternal figure I don't"}, {'start': '9510.640', 'end': '9515.680', 'text': 'believe I was impolite but she began to pick on me\xa0\nfor no apparent reason after that She would either'}, {'start': '9515.680', 'end': '9520.880', 'text': 'be extremely hostile or completely ignore me It\xa0\nwas strange and it was evident that I refused'}, {'start': '9520.880', 'end': '9526.479', 'text': 'to address her as mom I never understood why it\xa0\nwas important to her As far as I was concerned'}, {'start': '9526.479', 'end': '9531.280', 'text': 'my father adored her and had totally accepted her\xa0\nas his companion That should have been enough but'}, {'start': '9531.280', 'end': '9536.479', 'text': 'she was fixated on being my mother She even\xa0\nbehaved like she was albeit not in a good or'}, {'start': '9536.479', 'end': '9542.000', 'text': 'compassionate manner She would order me around and\xa0\npretend to have authority over me It was as if she'}, {'start': '9542.000', 'end': '9547.600', 'text': "wanted to establish herself as a capable mother\xa0\nfigure This behavior bothered me I'd remind her"}, {'start': '9547.600', 'end': '9551.760', 'text': "that she wasn't my mother and didn't need to be so\xa0\ninvolved in my life since I wasn't ready to give"}, {'start': '9551.760', 'end': '9557.600', 'text': "her the responsibility She'd complain to my father\xa0\nWe'd argue and things would become uncomfortable"}, {'start': '9557.600', 'end': '9563.040', 'text': 'But in the end my father and I loved each other\xa0\nenough to reconcile despite Julia This was how we'}, {'start': '9563.040', 'end': '9568.399', 'text': 'spent nearly 4 years After they married I assumed\xa0\nJulia would start acting normally because she no'}, {'start': '9568.399', 'end': '9573.519', 'text': 'longer had any reason to be insecure However their\xa0\nmarriage made her even more determined to become'}, {'start': '9573.520', 'end': '9579.359', 'text': 'my mother A few months after their wedding she\xa0\nsat me down for the same conversation This time'}, {'start': '9579.359', 'end': '9584.000', 'text': 'she said she would love it if I called her mom\xa0\nsince now that she and my father are married it'}, {'start': '9584.000', 'end': '9588.479', 'text': 'will help complete our family She required that\xa0\nI acknowledge her as my mother before anything'}, {'start': '9588.479', 'end': '9594.000', 'text': "could happen By then I'd seen her true colors I\xa0\ncouldn't believe she had the arrogance to demand"}, {'start': '9594.000', 'end': '9599.280', 'text': "that I call her mom after mistreating me for the\xa0\nprevious four years I wasn't especially pleased"}, {'start': '9599.280', 'end': '9604.160', 'text': "with their marriage because I knew she didn't like\xa0\nme And to be honest I didn't care for her either"}, {'start': '9604.160', 'end': '9609.680', 'text': "I've never been one to mince things and at 18 I\xa0\nmade that abundantly plain to her After the way"}, {'start': '9609.680', 'end': '9614.560', 'text': 'she had treated me over the previous four years I\xa0\nhad no desire to accept her as my mother or assist'}, {'start': '9614.560', 'end': '9619.280', 'text': 'her in realizing her dream of a perfect family\xa0\nI advised her to concentrate on being married'}, {'start': '9619.280', 'end': '9623.920', 'text': 'to my father and stop worrying about becoming\xa0\nmy mother because it was pitiful I informed'}, {'start': '9623.920', 'end': '9628.560', 'text': "her that I already had a mother whom I adored and\xa0\nthat just because she died in an accident didn't"}, {'start': '9628.560', 'end': '9633.439', 'text': 'mean the post was open In very straightforward\xa0\nand respectful terms I told her that I was not'}, {'start': '9633.439', 'end': '9638.080', 'text': 'going to replace my mother and that she should\xa0\nstop trying I also added that her fixation with'}, {'start': '9638.080', 'end': '9643.600', 'text': 'being my mother was strange scary and completely\xa0\nunappreciated especially given how brutally she'}, {'start': '9643.600', 'end': '9648.160', 'text': "had treated me simply because I refused to call\xa0\nher mom I'm not proud of it because it wasn't"}, {'start': '9648.160', 'end': '9653.359', 'text': 'very nice But I did hint that her obsession was\xa0\npsychologically abnormal That remark evidently'}, {'start': '9653.359', 'end': '9658.639', 'text': "irritated her since she stopped speaking to me\xa0\nentirely following that chat It was as if I didn't"}, {'start': '9658.640', 'end': '9664.560', 'text': "exist for her At the time I didn't think it was an\xa0\nissue In fact I was relieved when she eventually"}, {'start': '9664.560', 'end': '9670.000', 'text': 'decided to stop bothering me About a year later\xa0\nI understood she had used that time to turn my'}, {'start': '9670.000', 'end': '9675.040', 'text': "father against me It happened so gradually that\xa0\nI didn't realize my father was distancing himself"}, {'start': '9675.040', 'end': '9681.200', 'text': 'until it was too late When I realized I attempted\xa0\nto fix things I tried multiple times to bond with'}, {'start': '9681.200', 'end': '9686.720', 'text': 'him hanging out talking and reconnecting but\xa0\nhe was either too busy or constantly with Julia'}, {'start': '9687.280', 'end': '9692.160', 'text': 'I recognized that his priorities had evolved after\xa0\nhis second marriage and I attempted to give them'}, {'start': '9692.160', 'end': '9698.000', 'text': 'space but it backfired because Julia took up all\xa0\nof his available space in life Things only got'}, {'start': '9698.000', 'end': '9702.640', 'text': 'worse after I moved away to college Whatever\xa0\nlittle communication I had with my father was'}, {'start': '9702.640', 'end': '9708.240', 'text': 'vanishing as well It felt dreadful and I knew\xa0\nI needed to do something about it One weekend'}, {'start': '9708.240', 'end': '9713.519', 'text': 'I planned to surprise my father by going home\xa0\nI anticipated him to be pleased but he appeared'}, {'start': '9713.520', 'end': '9718.800', 'text': 'annoyed He informed me he had planned to go out\xa0\nto dinner with Julia but now that I was home he'}, {'start': '9718.800', 'end': '9724.160', 'text': "couldn't do so I found this quite offensive and\xa0\nchallenged him about his actions I told him he was"}, {'start': '9724.160', 'end': '9729.120', 'text': "acting aloof and strange and it pained me that\xa0\nhe wasn't even pleased with my surprise visit"}, {'start': '9729.120', 'end': '9734.960', 'text': 'I conveyed that it felt like he no longer cared\xa0\nabout me In despair I lashed out at Julia accusing'}, {'start': '9734.960', 'end': '9740.399', 'text': 'her of turning him against me This evolved into\xa0\na full-fledged argument My father told me that'}, {'start': '9740.399', 'end': '9745.359', 'text': "he knew I had something against Julia since the\xa0\nbeginning He said Julia wasn't attempting to turn"}, {'start': '9745.359', 'end': '9750.639', 'text': 'him against me but rather I was trying to turn him\xa0\nagainst her He accused me of trying to brainwash'}, {'start': '9750.640', 'end': '9754.800', 'text': 'him into thinking Julia was the bad guy despite\xa0\nthe fact that she had done everything she could'}, {'start': '9754.800', 'end': '9760.000', 'text': 'to win me over According to him I was the one who\xa0\nturned down her attempts to bond because I did'}, {'start': '9760.000', 'end': '9765.680', 'text': 'not want to betray my mother He even suggested my\xa0\nmother would be upset with my behavior My father'}, {'start': '9765.680', 'end': '9770.479', 'text': 'informed me that making up tales about Julia\xa0\nto build a wedge between them would not succeed'}, {'start': '9770.479', 'end': '9775.599', 'text': 'Over time I saw that Julia was gradually changing\xa0\nthe narrative telling my father that I had been'}, {'start': '9775.600', 'end': '9780.319', 'text': 'ignoring and mistreating her from the beginning\xa0\nWhenever my father was around she was nothing but'}, {'start': '9780.319', 'end': '9785.599', 'text': 'lovely leading him to believe she was incapable of\xa0\nbeing mean to anyone He gradually came to believe'}, {'start': '9785.600', 'end': '9790.240', 'text': "her account of events He assumed I was causing\xa0\nissues because I couldn't accept Julia as his"}, {'start': '9790.240', 'end': '9795.840', 'text': 'wife or come to terms with his departure This was\xa0\nfar from the truth but my explanation fell on deaf'}, {'start': '9795.840', 'end': '9801.680', 'text': 'ears He accused me of attempting to sabotage their\xa0\nrelationship and lying about Julia Then he issued'}, {'start': '9801.680', 'end': '9807.359', 'text': 'an ultimatum Either I start respecting Julia\xa0\ncall her mom and accept their relationship or I'}, {'start': '9807.359', 'end': '9813.439', 'text': "leave When my father said this I didn't bother to\xa0\nargue I hadn't unpacked anything yet so I grabbed"}, {'start': '9813.439', 'end': '9819.359', 'text': "my bags and marched out never looking back After\xa0\nthat I went directly to my uncle's place He was"}, {'start': '9819.359', 'end': '9824.719', 'text': "the closest relative I had He's my mother's older\xa0\nbrother and has always had a warm spot for me"}, {'start': '9824.720', 'end': '9829.920', 'text': "I knew that no matter what challenges I had he\xa0\nwould assist me At the time I hadn't told my"}, {'start': '9829.920', 'end': '9834.720', 'text': "uncle much about Julia I already knew he didn't\xa0\nlike her or support my father's connection with"}, {'start': '9834.720', 'end': '9839.200', 'text': 'her Part of this was due to his loyalty to my\xa0\nmother and part of it was because he thought'}, {'start': '9839.200', 'end': '9844.080', 'text': "the age difference between my father and Julia\xa0\nwas too great I didn't want him to detest my"}, {'start': '9844.080', 'end': '9849.840', 'text': 'father anymore than he already did So I kept quiet\xa0\nHowever after I was kicked out I told everything'}, {'start': '9849.840', 'end': '9855.200', 'text': 'to him He was infuriated He told me that I had\xa0\ndone the right thing by refusing to call her'}, {'start': '9855.200', 'end': '9860.800', 'text': 'mom and that Julia was a complete nutcase He also\xa0\ncalled my father an absolute [\xa0__\xa0] for believing'}, {'start': '9860.800', 'end': '9866.080', 'text': 'all of her falsehoods Once he realized the truth\xa0\nhe told me that he would take care of everything'}, {'start': '9866.080', 'end': '9870.720', 'text': 'He offered to cover all of my expenditures\xa0\nincluding college tuition which had previously'}, {'start': '9870.720', 'end': '9876.000', 'text': "been my father's burden He also said that if I\xa0\never needed a place to stay I could always come to"}, {'start': '9876.000', 'end': '9882.399', 'text': 'him Even after I graduated he promised to help me\xa0\nout True to his word he supported me every step of'}, {'start': '9882.399', 'end': '9887.200', 'text': 'the way and has become more of a father to me over\xa0\nthe last six years than my biological father ever'}, {'start': '9887.200', 'end': '9893.760', 'text': 'was As I previously stated I have not had touch\xa0\nwith my father or Julia in 6 years No one else in'}, {'start': '9893.760', 'end': '9899.760', 'text': "the family has After I told my uncle everything he\xa0\nwas so enraged that he told everyone I didn't ask"}, {'start': '9899.760', 'end': '9905.120', 'text': 'him to do anything but he was too angry to worry\xa0\nabout the implications He notified both my mothers'}, {'start': '9905.120', 'end': '9910.240', 'text': "and father's side of the family about the incident\xa0\nAccording to what I've heard no one has contacted"}, {'start': '9910.240', 'end': '9915.359', 'text': 'my father or Julia since I was kicked out as they\xa0\nwere all against what had transpired According'}, {'start': '9915.359', 'end': '9920.960', 'text': 'to my uncle several individuals attempted to\xa0\npersuade my father to listen but he refused He'}, {'start': '9920.960', 'end': '9926.640', 'text': 'accused me of lying and said they should not trust\xa0\nme Fortunately my family knows I am not the person'}, {'start': '9926.640', 'end': '9932.399', 'text': 'my father and Julia portrayed me to be As a result\xa0\nmy father and Julia have been forced into extreme'}, {'start': '9932.399', 'end': '9938.639', 'text': 'isolation However I doubt they care because they\xa0\nhave not contacted anyone in the last 6 years On'}, {'start': '9938.640', 'end': '9944.399', 'text': "the other hand I'm doing well for myself Following\xa0\ngraduation from college I began interning at my"}, {'start': '9944.399', 'end': '9949.439', 'text': "uncle's real estate firm I eventually obtained\xa0\nmy real estate license and relocated earlier this"}, {'start': '9949.439', 'end': '9954.639', 'text': 'year from my former apartment to a much larger\xa0\none in a more desirable location I am no longer'}, {'start': '9954.640', 'end': '9960.240', 'text': "concerned about my finances I've even started\xa0\npaying my uncle back despite his insistence that"}, {'start': '9960.240', 'end': '9964.960', 'text': "he doesn't want anything from me My financial\xa0\nsituation is crucial because I believe it is"}, {'start': '9964.960', 'end': '9970.560', 'text': 'what prompted my father to contact me again Karma\xa0\nseemed to have caught up with him and Julia A few'}, {'start': '9970.560', 'end': '9975.600', 'text': 'months after giving birth Julia was engaged in\xa0\na horrific accident She is currently bedridden'}, {'start': '9975.600', 'end': '9981.359', 'text': 'and unable to move My dad paid me a visit a few\xa0\ndays ago During our talk I discovered that he'}, {'start': '9981.359', 'end': '9986.559', 'text': "had quit his job a few years before to start his\xa0\nown firm Unfortunately things haven't been going"}, {'start': '9986.560', 'end': '9991.279', 'text': 'well because the epidemic struck shortly after\xa0\nhe started He has been experiencing financial'}, {'start': '9991.279', 'end': '9997.040', 'text': 'difficulties Furthermore Julia refused to work\xa0\nleaving him with sole responsibility for financial'}, {'start': '9997.040', 'end': '10002.399', 'text': 'management This circumstance is not surprising\xa0\nto me Julia quit her work shortly after they'}, {'start': '10002.399', 'end': '10007.759', 'text': 'got married which he chose to disregard Things got\xa0\neven more difficult financially when she found she'}, {'start': '10007.760', 'end': '10014.160', 'text': 'was pregnant and decided to keep the kid She gave\xa0\nbirth approximately 6 months ago Then last month'}, {'start': '10014.160', 'end': '10018.880', 'text': 'she was involved in a horrific accident while\xa0\ndriving herself home from lunch with her friends'}, {'start': '10018.880', 'end': '10024.640', 'text': 'She totaled the automobile due to icy roads and a\xa0\nlittle too much champagne Fortunately she was not'}, {'start': '10024.640', 'end': '10029.359', 'text': "charged but it doesn't matter because she severely\xa0\nhurt herself and is now bedridden unable to move"}, {'start': '10029.359', 'end': '10034.399', 'text': 'as she heals My father is in a bad situation\xa0\nbecause their medical insurance does not cover'}, {'start': '10034.399', 'end': '10038.879', 'text': "hiring a nurse He needs to pay for one out of\xa0\npocket because he can't stay at home to care"}, {'start': '10038.880', 'end': '10043.680', 'text': "for Julia and must work to prevent bankruptcy\xa0\nMeanwhile they've been leaving their kid with"}, {'start': '10043.680', 'end': '10048.399', 'text': "Julia's parents but her parents just informed my\xa0\nfather that they couldn't watch the child everyday"}, {'start': '10048.399', 'end': '10052.960', 'text': 'because they needed to live their own life This\xa0\nresulted in a dispute between my father and'}, {'start': '10052.960', 'end': '10058.479', 'text': "Julia's parents with him accusing them of being\xa0\ngreedy As a result they refused to look after the"}, {'start': '10058.479', 'end': '10064.080', 'text': 'baby anymore My father now out of alternatives\xa0\nadmitted he had no one else to turn to and chose'}, {'start': '10064.080', 'end': '10068.880', 'text': 'to contact me for assistance When he paid me a\xa0\nvisit he recounted everything in the hopes that'}, {'start': '10068.880', 'end': '10074.720', 'text': "I would intervene Without hesitation I declined\xa0\nI'm not good around newborns and I definitely"}, {'start': '10074.720', 'end': '10079.200', 'text': "didn't want anything to do with Julia's child\xa0\nGiven how much agony the two of them had given"}, {'start': '10079.200', 'end': '10084.880', 'text': 'me in the past I refused to allow myself to be\xa0\nused to solving their problems I told my dad that'}, {'start': '10084.880', 'end': '10090.240', 'text': 'while it was good to see him I was no longer here\xa0\nto serve his purpose He became enraged claiming'}, {'start': '10090.240', 'end': '10095.599', 'text': 'he had gone to considerable lengths to obtain my\xa0\ncontact information From his statements I deduced'}, {'start': '10095.600', 'end': '10100.000', 'text': "that he must have pestered some relatives until\xa0\nthey informed him where I lived I didn't think"}, {'start': '10100.000', 'end': '10104.800', 'text': 'this was a great attempt and his entitlement\xa0\nsimply made me angry I reminded him that when I'}, {'start': '10104.800', 'end': '10110.800', 'text': 'needed him the most when I begged him to believe\xa0\nme he had refused He chose Julia over me And now'}, {'start': '10110.800', 'end': '10117.200', 'text': "I'm choosing myself over him Despite my repeated\xa0\nrequests he refused to leave I finally lost my"}, {'start': '10117.200', 'end': '10122.240', 'text': "patience I warned him that if he didn't leave I\xa0\nwould contact the cops which would end horribly"}, {'start': '10122.240', 'end': '10127.200', 'text': 'for him In a heated exchange I informed him I\xa0\nhad no sympathy for him and was not interested'}, {'start': '10127.200', 'end': '10132.880', 'text': 'in assisting or forgiving him I said he and Julia\xa0\ndeserved all they were going through After all'}, {'start': '10132.880', 'end': '10138.720', 'text': 'Julia had continually lied about me portraying me\xa0\nas the monster My father had decided to trust her'}, {'start': '10138.720', 'end': '10144.000', 'text': 'falsehoods and prioritize her ludicrous requests\xa0\neven to the point of kicking me out Instead of'}, {'start': '10144.000', 'end': '10149.439', 'text': 'believing his own daughter he favored his wife and\xa0\nher unreasonable expectations When I said that he'}, {'start': '10149.439', 'end': '10154.319', 'text': 'looked shocked and swiftly departed without saying\xa0\nanything I now feel guilty about what they are'}, {'start': '10154.319', 'end': '10159.359', 'text': "going through I know it's bad and I'm not sure\xa0\nif I should have stated they deserved it Maybe"}, {'start': '10159.359', 'end': '10166.319', 'text': "they do maybe they don't I'm not the judge Still\xa0\nthe guilt weighs on me Edit: I called my uncle to"}, {'start': '10166.319', 'end': '10171.120', 'text': "tell him of my father's visit He spoke with a\xa0\nfew relatives and confirmed that my father had"}, {'start': '10171.120', 'end': '10176.399', 'text': 'reportedly been contacting everyone after many\xa0\nyears searching for my location Most people had'}, {'start': '10176.399', 'end': '10181.759', 'text': "not responded but one family on my father's side\xa0\nwho isn't very close to me felt sorry for him and"}, {'start': '10181.760', 'end': '10187.520', 'text': 'provided him my contact information and address\xa0\nSo I was correct My father did not go to the great'}, {'start': '10187.520', 'end': '10193.200', 'text': "lengths that he stated He was only attempting\xa0\nto make me feel bad Update one I'd like to"}, {'start': '10193.200', 'end': '10198.479', 'text': 'thank everyone who commented on my post It was a\xa0\nlengthy post and I have not discussed it in depth'}, {'start': '10198.479', 'end': '10203.439', 'text': 'with anyone other than my uncle It was good to\xa0\nfinally get everything off my chest particularly'}, {'start': '10203.439', 'end': '10209.439', 'text': 'regarding Julia Her actions deeply traumatized me\xa0\nwhen I was younger Based on the remarks I believe'}, {'start': '10209.439', 'end': '10214.240', 'text': 'I was correct in stating that Julia may have had\xa0\nsome mental health issues Her eagerness for me'}, {'start': '10214.240', 'end': '10220.160', 'text': 'to embrace her as my mother was overwhelming That\xa0\nbeing said I can only infer it I cannot diagnose'}, {'start': '10220.160', 'end': '10225.760', 'text': 'her However I believe she would benefit greatly\xa0\nfrom seeing a psychiatrist to determine what was'}, {'start': '10225.760', 'end': '10230.800', 'text': 'driving her conduct It seems ridiculous for her\xa0\nto act the way she did simply because I refused to'}, {'start': '10230.800', 'end': '10236.080', 'text': "call her or accept her as my mother Throughout my\xa0\nfather's relationship with Julia I tried to make"}, {'start': '10236.080', 'end': '10241.920', 'text': "explanations for his behavior I knew he loved her\xa0\nso I tried not to make a scene but it didn't seem"}, {'start': '10241.920', 'end': '10248.399', 'text': "to matter He didn't care When it came down to it\xa0\nhe chose Julia above me his biological daughter"}, {'start': '10248.399', 'end': '10253.359', 'text': 'So he had the guts to come up at my house after\xa0\n6 years of no communication asking me to assist'}, {'start': '10253.359', 'end': '10259.200', 'text': 'him out Even now I know he was not sincerely\xa0\nsorry He just apologized because he wanted my'}, {'start': '10259.200', 'end': '10265.359', 'text': "aid not because he truly meant it In reaction\xa0\nI have taken precautions to protect myself I've"}, {'start': '10265.359', 'end': '10270.719', 'text': 'upgraded security measures around my house in case\xa0\nhe shows up again If he does and refuses to leave'}, {'start': '10270.720', 'end': '10276.640', 'text': "when I ask I will contact the cops right away\xa0\nIdeally I'd prefer that he not show up at all but"}, {'start': '10276.640', 'end': '10281.680', 'text': "I realize that's wishful thinking He's going to\xa0\ncome back and attempt to get me to help him again"}, {'start': '10281.680', 'end': '10287.120', 'text': 'He already has my contact details He had been\xa0\ncontacting me for the past few days but I blocked'}, {'start': '10287.120', 'end': '10292.000', 'text': "him after a few hours It's been nearly 5 days\xa0\nsince his visit and I presume he's been taking"}, {'start': '10292.000', 'end': '10297.680', 'text': "his time However I have a feeling he'll come up\xa0\nagain Just so you know I'm not afraid of what"}, {'start': '10297.680', 'end': '10302.880', 'text': "he may do It's just that I'm already emotionally\xa0\nspent and I don't want a long argument with him"}, {'start': '10302.880', 'end': '10307.680', 'text': 'That is why I am taking every precaution to avoid\xa0\nprotracted chats and have him depart as soon as'}, {'start': '10307.680', 'end': '10314.000', 'text': "possible I'm hoping that when I see him again it\xa0\nwon't be too emotionally draining Update two Two"}, {'start': '10314.000', 'end': '10319.920', 'text': 'days ago I posted here that I was confident my\xa0\nfather would return Actually he did He waited'}, {'start': '10319.920', 'end': '10324.640', 'text': 'a week since our last meeting and came up today\xa0\nWhen I spotted him standing outside and ringing'}, {'start': '10324.640', 'end': '10329.600', 'text': "the doorbell I told him over the intercom that I\xa0\ndidn't want to speak to him I had just gotten home"}, {'start': '10329.600', 'end': '10334.880', 'text': 'from work so I was exhausted and not in the mood\xa0\nto deal with him When he refused to go I grabbed'}, {'start': '10334.880', 'end': '10340.399', 'text': "my phone contacted the cops and reported him for\xa0\ntrespassing He couldn't hear me from inside and"}, {'start': '10340.399', 'end': '10346.160', 'text': "had no idea I'd contacted the police until they\xa0\narrived He waited outside my door beating on it"}, {'start': '10346.160', 'end': '10350.960', 'text': 'and complaining that I was being too hard on him\xa0\nHe stated Julia admitted to making everything up'}, {'start': '10350.960', 'end': '10355.200', 'text': 'and that they were both deeply remorseful for\xa0\neverything He explained that all they could'}, {'start': '10355.200', 'end': '10360.319', 'text': "do now was apologize and hope for the best as\xa0\nthey couldn't go back in time to fix things He"}, {'start': '10360.319', 'end': '10364.960', 'text': "insisted I give them some leniency especially\xa0\ngiven what they're going through I couldn't"}, {'start': '10364.960', 'end': '10369.439', 'text': 'believe that even after discovering Julia had\xa0\nlied to him prompting him to kick me out he'}, {'start': '10369.439', 'end': '10375.040', 'text': 'became defensive rather than admitting his sins He\xa0\nwas taking the entire issue so nonchalantly which'}, {'start': '10375.040', 'end': '10381.200', 'text': 'was annoying However I maintained my composure and\xa0\ndid not speak to him Thankfully the cops arrived'}, {'start': '10381.200', 'end': '10386.160', 'text': 'shortly because his what can we do about it now\xa0\nattitude was really getting on my nerves It was'}, {'start': '10386.160', 'end': '10390.399', 'text': "especially distressing because he had wrecked his\xa0\nrelationship with his own daughter due to Julia's"}, {'start': '10390.399', 'end': '10395.679', 'text': "lies and still couldn't hold her accountable When\xa0\nthe cops arrived he lost control and began yelling"}, {'start': '10395.680', 'end': '10401.600', 'text': "at me claiming I had lost my mind and had no right\xa0\nto call the cops on my own father I didn't care"}, {'start': '10401.600', 'end': '10407.120', 'text': 'I described the entire thing to the cops I doubt\xa0\nhe will face any charges but I hope this teaches'}, {'start': '10407.120', 'end': '10412.319', 'text': 'him a lesson He did not physically resist being\xa0\ndragged away but he did stare at me the entire'}, {'start': '10412.319', 'end': '10418.080', 'text': "time I could see he was mortified but I didn't\xa0\nmind I was so pleased that he was being removed"}, {'start': '10418.080', 'end': '10423.279', 'text': 'and that I would no longer have to deal with him\xa0\nIt may sound callous but after today seeing how'}, {'start': '10423.279', 'end': '10428.160', 'text': 'little he appeared to care that Julia lied\xa0\nand ruined our relationship I feel validated'}, {'start': '10428.160', 'end': '10433.279', 'text': 'What I mentioned was completely accurate He and\xa0\nJulia deserved each other And more importantly'}, {'start': '10433.279', 'end': '10437.519', 'text': "they earned everything that was happening to\xa0\nthem Perhaps the small one didn't deserve it"}, {'start': '10437.520', 'end': '10443.120', 'text': "though The only person I feel sorry for in this\xa0\ncircumstance is my half brother There's not much I"}, {'start': '10443.120', 'end': '10448.160', 'text': 'can do about it but hope for the best I sincerely\xa0\nhope for the best for him at least since I have'}, {'start': '10448.160', 'end': '10452.960', 'text': "nothing against him He's merely a youngster\xa0\nwho has no idea what his parents are like"}, {'start': '10452.960', 'end': '10457.600', 'text': "I'm praying that he doesn't get caught up in all\xa0\nof this commotion and has to suffer as a result"}, {'start': '10457.600', 'end': '10464.399', 'text': 'If he does he will be the second child Julia\xa0\nand my father have failed after me Update three'}, {'start': '10464.399', 'end': '10471.040', 'text': 'After the officers took him away my father did not\xa0\ncontact me for over 3 weeks Then a few days ago I'}, {'start': '10471.040', 'end': '10476.399', 'text': 'got an SMS accusing me of being awful The message\xa0\nstated that I was a terrible person and that they'}, {'start': '10476.399', 'end': '10481.120', 'text': 'regretted reaching out to me in the first place\xa0\nIt stated they were ridiculous to expect me to'}, {'start': '10481.120', 'end': '10485.200', 'text': "understand their situation because I've always\xa0\nbeen a selfish brat who didn't care about anyone"}, {'start': '10485.200', 'end': '10491.760', 'text': 'else According to the book selfishness not Julia\xa0\ndamaged my connection with my father The message'}, {'start': '10491.760', 'end': '10497.840', 'text': "came from a number I didn't recognize so I assumed\xa0\nit was my father or Julia It doesn't matter That"}, {'start': '10497.840', 'end': '10502.960', 'text': "was the last I heard from them and they haven't\xa0\ncontacted me again since Interestingly I heard"}, {'start': '10502.960', 'end': '10507.760', 'text': 'about my father and Julia again today My uncle\xa0\ncalled to tell me that a few cousins on my'}, {'start': '10507.760', 'end': '10513.120', 'text': "father's side had notified him of their current\xa0\nposition Apparently my father and Julia are now"}, {'start': '10513.120', 'end': '10517.760', 'text': "living separately because he has been requested\xa0\nto leave his home Julia's parents have moved in"}, {'start': '10517.760', 'end': '10522.960', 'text': 'to care for her and the baby According to my uncle\xa0\nmy father considered leaving the infant in foster'}, {'start': '10522.960', 'end': '10527.520', 'text': 'care until they could get back on their feet\xa0\nJulia became outraged and threatened to divorce'}, {'start': '10527.520', 'end': '10532.399', 'text': 'him Although he was able to calm her down she was\xa0\nstill so enraged that she had him kicked out of'}, {'start': '10532.399', 'end': '10537.439', 'text': 'the house while she healed I find it amusing that\xa0\nafter kicking me out he is now experiencing the'}, {'start': '10537.439', 'end': '10543.439', 'text': 'same situation One thing is certain Julia has a\xa0\nmental health problem Normal people do not behave'}, {'start': '10543.439', 'end': '10549.279', 'text': "in such extremes That being said I don't have to\xa0\nworry about it because she's no longer in my life"}, {'start': '10549.279', 'end': '10554.160', 'text': "I just think it's funny that my father is going\xa0\nthrough this and I felt compelled to share This is"}, {'start': '10554.160', 'end': '10561.599', 'text': 'really his karma My toxic best friend overstepped\xa0\nby claiming made of honor disrupted wedding plans'}, {'start': '10561.600', 'end': '10567.359', 'text': 'and planned her wedding on my date to create chaos\xa0\nOriginal post Some background info about this'}, {'start': '10567.359', 'end': '10573.040', 'text': "girl Let's call her Jess At this point in her life\xa0\nshe's kind of a hot mess She's one of those people"}, {'start': '10573.040', 'end': '10578.399', 'text': 'who airs everything on Facebook who has a new love\xa0\nof my life every month and a new best friend every'}, {'start': '10578.399', 'end': '10583.279', 'text': 'few months Her relationships and friendships\xa0\nusually end terribly with both sides hating'}, {'start': '10583.279', 'end': '10589.359', 'text': "each other How did I become her best friend Well\xa0\nshe hasn't always been this way She was relatively"}, {'start': '10589.359', 'end': '10595.200', 'text': 'normal 5 years ago when I met her save for the\xa0\nnormal early 20s drama But in the last 2 years'}, {'start': '10595.200', 'end': '10600.559', 'text': "she's lost her mom to cancer and her grandpa to\xa0\nold age and she doesn't have any other family She"}, {'start': '10600.560', 'end': '10605.120', 'text': 'dropped out of school and found out her boyfriend\xa0\nat the time was cheating on her After the breakup'}, {'start': '10605.120', 'end': '10610.319', 'text': 'I was acting like a shoulder to cry on since she\xa0\nhad pretty much hit rock bottom A few months later'}, {'start': '10610.319', 'end': '10615.279', 'text': 'she was telling everyone how close we were and\xa0\nstarted tagging me as her best friend A few months'}, {'start': '10615.279', 'end': '10621.200', 'text': 'ago I got engaged Unbeknownst to me she started\xa0\ntelling everyone she was my maid of honor Even'}, {'start': '10621.200', 'end': '10625.920', 'text': "though I've always planned on making my sister my\xa0\nmaid of honor but this was right after Jess's mom"}, {'start': '10625.920', 'end': '10630.880', 'text': "had died So I just improvised and said I would\xa0\nhave two maid of honors it's still not what I"}, {'start': '10630.880', 'end': '10635.120', 'text': "would have liked But I literally couldn't bring\xa0\nmyself to tell this poor girl I don't consider her"}, {'start': '10635.120', 'end': '10641.680', 'text': 'my best friend That was my first mistake About a\xa0\nmonth after I got engaged she met a guy Two weeks'}, {'start': '10641.680', 'end': '10648.160', 'text': "later she was engaged A week later she was married\xa0\nA month later she was divorced separated I don't"}, {'start': '10648.160', 'end': '10652.960', 'text': "know if it's legal yet I don't know if anything\xa0\nwas legal but she changed her last name and is"}, {'start': '10652.960', 'end': '10657.920', 'text': "still going by that so I'm guessing it was legal\xa0\nEver since the divorce my own wedding planning"}, {'start': '10657.920', 'end': '10663.520', 'text': "has become unbearable She is constantly telling me\xa0\nhow marriage doesn't work love can't save things"}, {'start': '10663.520', 'end': '10669.040', 'text': "etc etc and criticizes how much I'm spending on\xa0\nmy wedding when she had hers for a few hundred"}, {'start': '10669.040', 'end': '10673.600', 'text': "Vegas wedding It's gotten to the point where\xa0\nshe's rude to the vendors I'm meeting with but"}, {'start': '10673.600', 'end': '10677.920', 'text': "she gets really upset when I don't take her to\xa0\nmeetings since she's the maid of honor So I'm"}, {'start': '10677.920', 'end': '10681.680', 'text': 'at the point where I just want to cut her out of\xa0\nthe wedding like I should have done in the first'}, {'start': '10681.680', 'end': '10686.960', 'text': 'place However when I confessed this to a mutual\xa0\nfriend my friend let me know to be careful because'}, {'start': '10686.960', 'end': '10691.920', 'text': 'Jess can be really vindictive When she found out\xa0\nher ex from a few years ago was getting married'}, {'start': '10691.920', 'end': '10696.640', 'text': "she tried to contact the bride and tell her he\xa0\nwas cheating on her He wasn't One of her last"}, {'start': '10696.640', 'end': '10701.920', 'text': 'besties was fired from her job because Jess made\xa0\nmultiple email accounts and regularly contacted'}, {'start': '10701.920', 'end': '10706.960', 'text': 'customer service complaining about her And since\xa0\nshe knows so much info about my wedding already'}, {'start': '10706.960', 'end': '10712.080', 'text': "I'm really terrified that she'll somehow try to\xa0\nsabotage it So basically I don't know what to do"}, {'start': '10712.080', 'end': '10716.640', 'text': "at this point I feel like this wedding is getting\xa0\naway from me but I also don't know if it would be"}, {'start': '10716.640', 'end': '10720.960', 'text': "less painful to keep her a part of it because\xa0\nit would save me all the drama I don't know"}, {'start': '10720.960', 'end': '10725.359', 'text': "what she's capable of So I'm really worried that\xa0\nshe'll somehow make everything harder for me if I"}, {'start': '10725.359', 'end': '10730.639', 'text': "don't just grin and bear it Help clutter girl I've\xa0\nbeen comforting through traumatic times turns out"}, {'start': '10730.640', 'end': '10735.200', 'text': "to be batshit crazy and now I think she's going\xa0\nto ruin my wedding if I don't go with the flow"}, {'start': '10735.200', 'end': '10741.359', 'text': 'Relevant comments Comment one to add It might be\xa0\na good idea to have passwords with your vendors to'}, {'start': '10741.359', 'end': '10747.120', 'text': 'confirm your identity OP thank you for the advice\xa0\nI was actually considering the password thing but'}, {'start': '10747.120', 'end': '10751.760', 'text': "I don't know if that's taking things too far I\xa0\nguess I'm kind of worried about vendors resenting"}, {'start': '10751.760', 'end': '10757.040', 'text': 'me for being high maintenance but I hear about\xa0\nbridezillaas momzillaas in-lawzillaas all the'}, {'start': '10757.040', 'end': '10763.040', 'text': 'time so hopefully this isn\'t the worst they\'ve\xa0\nseen Comment two Jesus just told her "Jess you'}, {'start': '10763.040', 'end': '10767.680', 'text': 'knew him for 3 weeks before you married him What\xa0\nin the ever loving [\xa0__\xa0] did you think was going'}, {'start': '10767.680', 'end': '10772.640', 'text': "to happen If I've only been seeing a girl for\xa0\n3 weeks I won't even poop with her in a half"}, {'start': '10772.640', 'end': '10779.120', 'text': 'mile radius." Oops Seriously the week before the\xa0\nwedding was everyone kindly saying "Uh you sure'}, {'start': '10779.120', 'end': '10784.080', 'text': 'You\'ve known him for awfully short time?" And she\xa0\nresponded "Everyone\'s jealous because they can\'t'}, {'start': '10784.080', 'end': '10790.240', 'text': 'be us." Yeah Comment three Sounds like you need\xa0\nto have a very uncomfortable talk with this girl'}, {'start': '10790.240', 'end': '10794.319', 'text': 'Tell her what you told us here and let her know\xa0\nher negative attitude has no place in planning'}, {'start': '10794.319', 'end': '10798.880', 'text': "your wedding You're sorry things aren't working\xa0\nout for her but she is not allowed to pile this"}, {'start': '10798.880', 'end': '10803.200', 'text': 'stuff on you Tell her that you cannot have\xa0\nher as a maid of honor And since she seems to'}, {'start': '10803.200', 'end': '10807.679', 'text': "think so negatively about marriage you wouldn't\xa0\nexpect her to do this Up to you if you even let"}, {'start': '10807.680', 'end': '10813.359', 'text': "her attend the wedding as a guest Oh Oh my god\xa0\nI haven't even thought about explaining how her"}, {'start': '10813.359', 'end': '10818.080', 'text': 'negative attitude towards marriage could be the\xa0\nexcuse for not having her in the wedding party'}, {'start': '10818.080', 'end': '10824.319', 'text': "That sounds ridiculously logical but I've been\xa0\nblinded by a flurry of crazy Thank you Update"}, {'start': '10824.319', 'end': '10830.319', 'text': 'guys This went full-blown crazy Before I could\xa0\nhave a conversation with Jess she confronted me'}, {'start': '10830.319', 'end': '10835.679', 'text': 'about it Apparently the mutual I confided in let\xa0\nthe whole story leak and a twisted more dramatic'}, {'start': '10835.680', 'end': '10841.439', 'text': 'version made its way back to Jess [\xa0__\xa0] Meet a\xa0\nfan It was an hour or two of me trying to explain'}, {'start': '10841.439', 'end': '10845.599', 'text': 'to Jess in a somewhat calm manner that I felt she\xa0\nhad overstepped her boundaries and it was really'}, {'start': '10845.600', 'end': '10850.000', 'text': "taking a mental toll on me while she yelled about\xa0\nwhat a terrible friend I was and how she's tired"}, {'start': '10850.000', 'end': '10854.319', 'text': 'of putting all of her faith in the wrong people\xa0\nand how she was tired of trying her best to be a'}, {'start': '10854.319', 'end': '10858.799', 'text': 'good maid of honor I made the mistake of pointing\xa0\nout that I had never asked her to be my mate of'}, {'start': '10858.800', 'end': '10863.760', 'text': 'honor in the first place and she responded with\xa0\n"Well then I must be delusional." The first step'}, {'start': '10863.760', 'end': '10870.240', 'text': "is admitting you have a problem So progress\xa0\nNeedless to say we aren't on speaking terms"}, {'start': '10870.240', 'end': '10874.000', 'text': 'Shortly after that I took all of your advice\xa0\nand called all of my wedding vendors and let'}, {'start': '10874.000', 'end': '10878.160', 'text': 'them know that my fiance and I were going to be\xa0\nthe only people making any decisions and set up'}, {'start': '10878.160', 'end': '10882.720', 'text': 'a confirmation word with them Apparently this\xa0\n[\xa0__\xa0] happens a lot because nobody even asked'}, {'start': '10882.720', 'end': '10887.600', 'text': 'why I accidentally forgot to contact the bakery\xa0\nmaking our cake but luckily they called me and'}, {'start': '10887.600', 'end': '10891.920', 'text': 'asked if I was certain I wanted to cancel the\xa0\nwedding cake Apparently there was a voicemail left'}, {'start': '10891.920', 'end': '10897.439', 'text': "on their machine Wonder how that happened Here's\xa0\nwhere things get really nuts A few weeks after our"}, {'start': '10897.439', 'end': '10902.960', 'text': "blowup she apparently met some guy who is the love\xa0\nof her life A few weeks after that they're engaged"}, {'start': '10902.960', 'end': '10908.800', 'text': "I can't make this [\xa0__\xa0] up She did it again Then\xa0\nour mutual friends get invitations for her wedding"}, {'start': '10908.800', 'end': '10914.160', 'text': "which is the same date as mine But since they\xa0\nhad RSVPd for my wedding a lot of them couldn't"}, {'start': '10914.160', 'end': '10919.439', 'text': "make it A few days before her wedding they have to\xa0\ncancel because he's already married And you know"}, {'start': '10919.439', 'end': '10924.879', 'text': 'what So is she I guess she never got officially\xa0\ndivorced from that first Quickie wedding So as'}, {'start': '10924.880', 'end': '10929.120', 'text': "far as I know no wedding actually happened I\xa0\nhave no idea if they still plan to I'm just"}, {'start': '10929.120', 'end': '10934.240', 'text': 'glad to be away from that circus But anyways\xa0\nI got married a few weeks ago Everything was'}, {'start': '10934.240', 'end': '10938.800', 'text': 'wonderful The weather was great and everyone\xa0\npresent was a joy to be around except maybe'}, {'start': '10938.800', 'end': '10944.000', 'text': "my uncle who gets a little too dancy when he's\xa0\ndrunk But you know family thank you to everyone"}, {'start': '10944.000', 'end': '10948.800', 'text': "who responded and to everyone letting me know\xa0\nI'm not helping matters by going with the flow"}, {'start': '10948.800', 'end': '10953.680', 'text': 'I will be actively practicing caution when making\xa0\nfriends by running from crazy and not comforting'}, {'start': '10953.680', 'end': '10960.000', 'text': 'it Relevant comments Comment one Anyone else\xa0\nthink mutual friends are kind of shitty She was'}, {'start': '10960.000', 'end': '10964.880', 'text': 'the one who told OP to be careful about Jess Yet\xa0\nshe decided it would be a good idea to blab about'}, {'start': '10964.880', 'end': '10970.080', 'text': 'what OP told her knowing full well it would get\xa0\nback to Jess Now instead of telling Jess on her'}, {'start': '10970.080', 'end': '10976.559', 'text': 'own terms OP got ambushed instead OP I actually\xa0\nasked her about it a few days after the blowup'}, {'start': '10976.560', 'end': '10981.279', 'text': "Her defense was that she didn't actually tell\xa0\nJess she told another mutual friend of ours who"}, {'start': '10981.279', 'end': '10986.960', 'text': "told someone else who told someone else who told\xa0\nJess So technically it wasn't her fault Which is"}, {'start': '10986.960', 'end': '10991.840', 'text': 'how by the time it got to Jess the story was\xa0\nsomewhere along the lines of "OMG bubble sex'}, {'start': '10991.840', 'end': '10996.720', 'text': "one is telling everyone you're ruining her life\xa0\nand sabotaging the wedding All of us met at work"}, {'start': '10996.720', 'end': '11001.520', 'text': 'We all worked at the same restaurant long ago\xa0\nand it was always a drama-filled place A lot'}, {'start': '11001.520', 'end': '11005.920', 'text': "of the same people still work there and still\xa0\nthrive off of the drama I'm thinking it's time"}, {'start': '11005.920', 'end': '11012.399', 'text': 'for me to move on from that specific crowd Clicks\xa0\nare fun in middle school In your 20s not so much'}, {'start': '11012.399', 'end': '11018.399', 'text': 'Comment two I will be actively practicing caution\xa0\nwhen making friends by running from crazy and not'}, {'start': '11018.399', 'end': '11023.679', 'text': "comforting it I'd like to nominate the first\xa0\ncandidate for your new policy The mutual friend"}, {'start': '11023.680', 'end': '11028.640', 'text': 'who somehow let the story leak and repeated to\xa0\nJess a twisted more dramatic version of what you'}, {'start': '11028.640', 'end': '11034.800', 'text': "had confided in her Oop I've decided to distance\xa0\nmyself from that crowd We're at different points"}, {'start': '11034.800', 'end': '11040.560', 'text': "in our lives and I just don't find gossiping all\xa0\nthat fun My real besties from high school who were"}, {'start': '11040.560', 'end': '11045.920', 'text': 'all bridesmaids have all grown up and we would\xa0\nnever pull this crap Comment three I bet Jess'}, {'start': '11045.920', 'end': '11050.479', 'text': 'was never actually getting married this time It\xa0\nwas just a plot to ensure at least some of your'}, {'start': '11050.479', 'end': '11055.919', 'text': "friends didn't make your wedding Oop I suspect\xa0\nthat as well but since she's done it before I"}, {'start': '11055.920', 'end': '11060.160', 'text': "wouldn't be surprised if she actually went through\xa0\nwith it I'm assuming they were both trying to"}, {'start': '11060.160', 'end': '11064.720', 'text': "get divorced before the wedding and realized they\xa0\nwouldn't be able to in time because you know some"}, {'start': '11064.720', 'end': '11069.680', 'text': "stuff takes time and can't be erased in a jify\xa0\nso they couldn't do it I get the feeling this"}, {'start': '11069.680', 'end': '11074.640', 'text': 'guy is either really stupid or just as crazy\xa0\nas she is So at least they found each other'}]