AITA for refusing to change my relationship with my stepbrother and not giving him access to my house or gaming setup?

A 20-year-old guy inherited his late father’s house and prized gaming collection after turning 18. For years, his stepbrother—two years younger—had been jealous, bullying him over those very things and even mocking him when his dad passed away.

Now the stepbrother has suddenly reached out with an apology, asking to come over and play those “dumb games” he’s apparently missed. The young man turned him down flat, seeing right through the motive. His mom, though, is furious—calling him immature for not accepting the olive branch and working on family ties after all this time.

‘AITA for refusing to change my relationship with my stepbrother and not giving him access to my house or gaming setup?’

The bad blood started early, right after his mom remarried when he was 10 and the stepbrother was 8:

Things took a darker turn after tragedy struck:

Blended families can be tough, especially when kids are thrown together without much say. Forcing bonds rarely works—it often breeds resentment, as seen here with constant pressure to “share” everything from time with dad to personal belongings.

The stepbrother’s jealousy turned into outright cruelty, culminating in mocking a grieving teen over his father’s death. That’s not typical sibling rivalry; it’s targeted bullying enabled by adults who prioritized harmony over fairness. The mom’s repeated pleas to “be the bigger person” placed unfair emotional labor on her biological son.

Genuine apologies require remorse without strings attached. This one reeks of opportunism—timed perfectly after spotting the gaming collection online and needing a place near college. Family therapist Dr. John Gottman emphasizes that trust rebuilds through consistent actions over time, not sudden requests for access to coveted items.

At 20, living independently in an inherited home, the young man owes no one entry or forgiveness on demand. Boundaries aren’t immaturity; they’re self-protection after years of invalidation. If mom keeps pushing, low or no contact might preserve his peace while he heals from loss and past harm.

Here’s the comments of Reddit users:

Online users overwhelmingly backed the guy, spotting the fake apology from a mile away and calling out mom’s favoritism:

Others suggested going low/no contact or firing back hard:

This young man has every right to protect the home and belongings his father left him—especially from someone who’s shown nothing but jealousy and cruelty over them. An apology tied directly to wanting access feels hollow after years of real hurt.

Holding boundaries isn’t petty; it’s healthy, particularly when past pleas to “just get along” ignored one side’s pain. What do you think—does a sudden “sorry” erase bullying and mockery, or is trust earned slowly without ulterior motives? Have you navigated tricky step-sibling dynamics as an adult? Let’s hear it in the comments!