AITA for forcing my brother to buy me a new engagement ring?

Imagine the sparkle of a perfect engagement ring, tucked away for a dream proposal—then picture it swiped by your own brother for his big moment. That’s the gut-punch a 26-year-old felt when his brother, 33, “borrowed” his ring to pop the question, ignoring a firm “no.” The ring, now flaunted on social media by the brother’s fiancée, was useless for the planned anniversary surprise. Furious, the man demanded a new ring, threatening to spill the truth if his brother didn’t pay up.

This isn’t just about a shiny bauble—it’s about trust, betrayal, and sibling rivalry gone wild. With the brother sulking and their mom torn, the Reddit community jumped in with takes hotter than a summer sidewalk. Was the demand for a new ring fair, or did things spiral too far? Let’s unpack this glittering mess of family drama.

‘AITA for forcing my brother to buy me a new engagement ring?’

Proposals are meant to shine with love, but this sibling saga is clouded by deceit. The brother’s theft of the engagement ring, after being explicitly denied, wasn’t just a prank—it was a violation of trust. Using it as a “placeholder” without disclosing its origin to his fiancée compounds the dishonesty. The younger brother’s demand for a new ring, backed by a threat to expose the truth, was a desperate bid to salvage his proposal and hold his brother accountable.

Family conflicts often stem from boundary issues. A 2022 study from the Journal of Family Psychology found that 45% of sibling disputes involve perceived violations of personal autonomy (source). Here, the older brother’s entitlement—taking what wasn’t his—ignited the clash, while his refusal to see fault fuels the rift.

Dr. John Gottman, a relationship expert, emphasizes, “Trust is built through consistent respect for boundaries” (source). The thief’s failure to honor his brother’s “no” broke that trust, and his whining about the $100 price difference reeks of deflection. The younger brother’s threat, while harsh, was a reaction to being cornered—his proposal was ruined, and his girlfriend nearly spoiled.

Moving forward, the brothers need a candid talk, perhaps mediated, to rebuild trust. The younger should tell his girlfriend post-proposal to avoid secrets. The older must own his actions, not just with a ring but an apology.

See what others had to share with OP:

Reddit didn’t mince words, tossing out opinions as bold as a diamond’s cut. From calling the brother a thief to debating the ethics of the threat, the community’s takes are a wild ride. Here’s what they said:

These Reddit gems sparkle with outrage, but do they clarify the mess or just add more drama to the mix?

This ring-stealing saga is a lesson in loyalty: family doesn’t get a free pass to cross your lines. The younger brother’s push for a new ring wasn’t petty—it was about reclaiming his moment after a blatant betrayal. But was threatening to out his brother a step too far, or just desserts? Sibling bonds are tough, but so is trust. What would you do if a family member swiped something as personal as your proposal ring? Drop your thoughts—let’s keep this drama as lively as a wedding toast!