AITA I lied about having a college fund for my step sister to save my sister
Imagine a childhood where hugs are as rare as unicorns and dinner depends on your mom’s mood. For one 32-year-old Redditor, this was life with a narcissistic mother—until Dan, her mom’s boyfriend, stepped in with a bear hug and a fatherly glow. He wasn’t just a lifeline for her; he became one for her baby sister too. When Dan passed, he left them a legacy—financial and emotional—that their mom tried to hijack. Now, the Redditor’s wrestling with guilt: did her clever trust fund ploy save her sister but sink her stepsister? Let’s dig in.
Growing up, love was a foreign language until Dan arrived, arms open and heart full. He treated both sisters like his own, a beacon in their stormy home. After his death, the Redditor became her sister’s shield, guarding Dan’s trust fund from their mom’s greedy claws. When mom’s new man, Brad, and his daughter entered the scene, the stakes skyrocketed. A promise of college cash for the stepsister became her leverage—but was it a lifeline or a lie? Time to spill the tea.
‘ AITA I lied about having a college fund for my step sister to save my sister’
Navigating a narcissistic parent is like dodging emotional landmines—one wrong step, and boom. This Redditor turned that chaos into a rescue mission, using the trust fund as a bargaining chip to free her sister from their mom’s tyranny. Promising half to the stepsister was a fib, sure, but it bought safety. Now, the stepsister’s college dreams are dim, and guilt’s knocking.
Psychologist Dr. Ramani Durvasula, an expert on narcissism, says, “Survivors often use deception as a shield—it’s not malice, it’s self-preservation” (Psychology Today, 2021). Here, the Redditor honored Dan’s wishes, not her mom’s whims. The stepsister’s plight? A 2023 report shows 70% of U.S. students rely on loans (Forbes), so her refusal isn’t the Redditor’s burden—it’s her choice, or Brad’s failure.
The bigger issue is generational trauma—narcissists breed collateral damage. The stepsister’s depression might stem from her own toxic home, not just dashed hopes. Advice? Let go of the guilt; it’s not your load. Maybe send her anonymous aid info if you can, but keep that mom-free boundary. Readers, what’s your verdict—heroic hustle or heartless hustle?
Check out how the community responded:
Reddit’s crew brought the heat—here’s the sizzle: “You’re a survivor, not a thief!” one cheered. Another smirked, “Stepsister’s college flop? That’s on her dad, not you.” Dive into the full feast:
These takes are Reddit-sharp, but do they cut through the gray areas? You be the judge.
So, is our Redditor an asshole or a guardian angel? She wielded a white lie like a sword, slicing her sister free from a narcissistic cage. The stepsister’s fallout stings, but it’s not her cross to bear—it’s a ripple of mom’s mess. If you were holding the trust fund strings, would you pull the same move? Drop your thoughts below; we’re all ears for your family saga hot takes!
