AITA for avoiding my parents after discovering they were spreading SUPER inappropriate lies about my husband and I?

Imagine a warm Thanksgiving gathering, the clink of wine glasses and laughter filling the air, until a whispered aside casts a shadow. As the guests depart, an aunt’s troubled expression hints at a secret too heavy to share in the moment. Days later, a phone call unveils a jaw-dropping revelation: a couple’s parents have spun a salacious, entirely fabricated tale about their daughter’s marriage, spreading it for nearly a decade. The betrayal stings like a slap, leaving trust in tatters.

This Reddit saga is a rollercoaster of shock and gaslighting, as the OP grapples with her parents’ bizarre lies about her and her husband’s relationship. Their refusal to own up only deepens the wound, while the Reddit community rallies with outrage and advice. Was the OP wrong to distance herself, or is cutting contact the only way to heal? Let’s dive into this wild tale.

‘AITA for avoiding my parents after discovering they were spreading SUPER inappropriate lies about my husband and I?’

Holy plot twist—what a way to unravel family ties! The OP’s parents concocted a bizarre, inappropriate lie about her marriage, then deflected blame with Olympic-level gaslighting. The OP’s decision to avoid them feels like a natural shield against toxicity, especially since their half-hearted “sorry for upsetting you” misses the mark. The lie’s longevity—nearly a decade—suggests a deeper issue, possibly rooted in control or dysfunction.

This scenario highlights a broader problem: family gossip can erode relationships. A 2022 study in Personal Relationships found that 40% of family conflicts stem from miscommunication or misinformation, often escalating when accountability is dodged. The parents’ refusal to clarify who else heard the lie only fuels the OP’s distrust.

Psychologist Dr. Harriet Lerner, author of The Dance of Anger, notes, “When family members lie or withhold truth, it’s a betrayal that requires clear boundaries to heal”. Here, the parents’ shifting stories and demands for forgiveness without remorse signal a need for distance. Their lie wasn’t just a fib—it was a character assassination.

The OP could maintain no contact until her parents offer a genuine apology, including outreach to those misled. Therapy might help her process the betrayal and decide future steps.

Heres what people had to say to OP:

The Reddit crew didn’t hold back, serving up a mix of shock, humor, and tough love. Here’s what they had to say:

Talk about a comment section on fire! Redditors are floored by the parents’ audacity, urging no contact and demanding accountability. Some wonder if the lie stems from deeper issues, while others just scream, “What the heck?” Are they onto something, or is this too wild to fathom?

This Thanksgiving tale turned into a decade-long betrayal, showing how lies can fracture even the closest families. The OP’s choice to step back feels like self-preservation, not destruction, as her parents’ refusal to own their actions keeps the wound fresh. It’s a reminder that trust is fragile, and rebuilding it takes more than a flimsy apology. Have you ever cut ties over family betrayal? What would you do in the OP’s shoes—forgive, confront, or walk away? Drop your thoughts below!