THIRD UPDATE: AITA for leaving thanksgiving dinner without explanation when I saw my ex there?

In a world where family dinners should exude warmth and togetherness, an undercurrent of betrayal can shatter even the most festive gatherings. The latest update reveals how past ties reemerge in unexpected ways—when a long-absent ex-best friend reappears, carrying secrets and unresolved conflicts.

The narrative paints a vivid picture of tension and surprise as the individual confronts the painful revelations that shake their foundation. With an air of melancholic determination, the unfolding events force the characters to rethink loyalties and trust in an era where social media intensifies every misstep.

Meanwhile, the ripple effects of this confrontation are felt well beyond that single evening. In this evolving drama, every conversation at the cafe becomes a piece of a larger puzzle, and every reaction online adds another layer to the controversy. The update not only deepens our understanding of personal betrayal but also reflects broader themes of deception, broken friendships, and the struggle for integrity amidst chaos.

For those who want to read the previous part: Original post, update, second update

‘THIRD UPDATE: AITA for leaving thanksgiving dinner without explanation when I saw my ex there?’

Hey everybody, this is just a quick update about the whole situation.. To the people who commented on my last post and told me to tell my friends and close ones about my ex best friend and her relationship with my ex, just in case she tries to spin the story, you were right. Nearly 4 days ago, she made a post on FB about me.

Recently, a close friend of mine had found it and forwarded it to me. (I rarely use fb and she's still blocked on everything. That's why I didn't know anything.) I'll just paste what she said because if I explained it myself and put details, this'll be very long.

She said: "My best friend of 16 years had left me. After everything I did for her and after sacrificing my life for her, this is how she repays me... I should have seen this coming, but it caught me too much off guard. I didn't even do anything wrong. She blocked me on everything and I haven't heard from her since..

Everyone... Don't trust anyone too much, especially those who are close to you. You don't know if whether they'll betray you or stay by your side until the end. ___ (me), you're such a backstabbing b**ch. You ruined my life forever and I'll never forgive you."

This is the same woman that fucked my ex. First, she invited him to thanksgiving dinner in hopes that we'll reconcile. Then, I found out that she has been with him for a whole year. And now this? What level of delusional is she on? No, and she EVEN had the audacity and confidence to call me a backstabber AND say that i was the one who betrayed her.

The worst part is that people seemed to believe her in her comment section without even knowing the full story. Most of them were her friends (I know them but they aren't my friends), the others were people I don't know. They spoke bad about me and wished that something bad will happen to me.

She's playing the victim card, spreading lies while I'm here, STILL processing everything. I really hate that woman so much. I don't know what to do now but I'm thinking of responding to her. I've never in my entire life made a post about someone, let alone respond to their posts. So if anyone has any advice of what do I say or do, im open to hear it.

In moments of personal turmoil, the inclination to lash out or seek immediate retribution often masks a deeper need for closure. Relationship expert Dr. John Gottman advises, “It’s not the absence of conflict, but the ability to navigate and repair that conflict that builds lasting relationships.” This insight underscores that abrupt departures or heated confrontations are frequently symptomatic of unresolved emotional wounds that can escalate when compounded by public airing on social platforms.

The unfolding updates highlight a classic dilemma: when personal grievances intermingle with public perception, emotions tend to run high. Observers note that the individual’s sharp responses, while seemingly justified in the moment, may also serve as a catalyst for a broader social debate.

In an era where every personal slight can become trending news, the dynamics of betrayal and retribution become even more volatile. The digital footprint left behind often turns private agony into a spectacle, encouraging both empathy and harsh judgment from strangers online.

Furthermore, this incident mirrors a growing trend in interpersonal disputes that are magnified in the age of social media. Studies have shown that unresolved conflicts are not just about individual hurt; they also reflect systemic issues of trust and communication breakdown.

As more people turn to online platforms to validate their experiences, the line between private pain and public performance blurs. Experts argue that professional counseling and measured dialogue can pave the way toward healing, instead of impulsive actions that only deepen the wound.

Drawing on this perspective, advice for similar situations emphasizes the importance of taking time to understand the full context before engaging in reactive communication. By stepping back and considering long-term implications, individuals can foster healthier resolutions. The expert perspective thus suggests that while immediate emotional responses are natural, measured reflection and constructive engagement are the keys to breaking the cycle of digital drama and personal betrayal.

Lastly, as social media continues to shape modern interactions, both the targets and perpetrators of betrayal must navigate an increasingly complex web of accountability. In this case, the shared experiences of public humiliation and emotional distress invite a broader conversation on how we might better manage interpersonal conflicts in a digital age.

Let’s dive into the reactions from Reddit:

The digital realm has proven to be a double-edged sword in such cases—capable of both support and scathing criticism. The Reddit community’s reactions to these updates range from candid advice to humorously cutting remarks, reflecting the widespread sentiment that some betrayals simply call for a firm severance of toxic ties. Readers, while amused by the dramatic twists, also ponder whether the public airing of such grievances can ever truly lead to healing.

CyberRedhead27 − Screenshot her post (so you have the evidence if she deletes it) and post a response on your own FB page. Tag her and everyone involved in it so it gets their attention. Disable comments on the post.

Appropriate-Mud-4450 − Give her a taste of her own medicine. Answer to her post. But that's just petty me. Your friends know the truth, I guess? So no need to fuel her need for drama

[Reddit User] − Let her run her mouth but I’d be petty and reply right under it and air it all out. I’d send a mass text to all mutual friends and family or if you don’t wanna go that route you can get her for harassment.

toxi_city_pitty − "After all I've done for you" is classic manipulation.. And she either 1) thinks that you deserved whatever he did or 2) doesn't care that you were hurt.. Rotten fruit falls on its own. Don't respond, but this event will basically be a filter for everyone in your life. Anyone taking her side on the post, block them.

Those who actually care about you and might not know all the details will reach out to you for clarification and not just take her word for it or be "neutral" (no such thing). This girl is like costume jewelry. Sparkly and shiny right now and without looking to close. But if someone does inspect it they'll see she's fake af, and she'll soon be tarnished.

No-Top8126 − Please comment this on her post: "Funny how the one who slept with my ex behind my back for a year is suddenly the victim. You didn’t ‘sacrifice your life’ for me—you betrayed me. And now, instead of taking accountability, you’re rewriting the story to make yourself look like the wounded party.

You invited my ex to a dinner knowing exactly what you did, then played innocent when I left. I didn’t backstab you—you stabbed me in the back, and now you’re mad that I walked away. But go ahead, keep lying to people who don’t even know the full story.

At the end of the day, we both know the truth, and that’s something you’ll have to live with—because I sure won’t be dealing with your mess anymore."" If betrayal was an Olympic sport, you'd have a gold medal and still be crying that the judges were unfair."

iknowsomethings2 − Write out a response and get your friend to post it in the comments. You don’t have to post it all over yours, but at least her friends will know she’s a lying sack of s**t. I would be petty enough to message all of her friends individually the link to my Reddit posts, but hey Ho.

no_fcks_lefttogive − She wants a reaction - don’t give it to her. I don’t mean this to be condescending- but you are so young- soon this will just be a blip. Ignore the noise and go live your best life

Artneedsmorefloof − While I understand the urge to defend yourself , I don't think it is the best thing to do. You would be giving her the attention she wants from you and another chance to twist things around to make herself the victim. If I understand correctly, it is just the post and comments where this is happening no one is contacting you about this.

If anyone does bother you about it have a simple factual answer for them like "ex bff lied to me and tried to force me into an unwanted situation. I gave her a chance and heard her out and she refused to accept her actions were out of line or responsibility for her choices. I can't trust her so I ended our friendship."

StrawhatPreacher − If you respond. Do it with your own post not a comment because she can delete comments on her post. Also include the screenshots from your last conversation where she admits to dating your abusive ex behind your back for a year and ambushing you on Thanksgiving. No quarter, burn her crops, slaughter her cattle and salt the fields.

DliverUsFromMaleGaze − Let her self-destruct. You shouldn't respond at all. Move on and live a happy life free from unnecessary drama. That's truly the best revenge. I know because I've lived similar. In my mid-late 20s, I was friends with this girl. We'll call her Christina. Christina was a few years older than me, but we seemed to get along well.

I started dating this guy, Nathan, and she happened to meet him. I saw a weird chemistry between the two, but I trusted her, enen when he started pulling away. Christina began asking me multiple times a day how it was going with Nathan. I told her great without much explanation because I was suspicious, but still trusted her. Nathan and I never broke up, but we drifted.

Then, one Saturday, Christina texts me, "Nathan and I are together. You need to accept it and move on." I did not respond. Instead, I called my real besties and cried/raged for a bit. Publicly, I did nothing, and refused to talk to the two of them. But because Nathan and I had done public outings, my community knew we had been dating one week, and the next, he showed up on Christina's arm.

I gave them the cold shoulder but stubbornly kept my mouth closed and my head high. Our community became rather frosty towards the two of them. It was never rude but very short. What pushed me over the edge was the text she sent my mother saying, "I'm with Nathan now. You need to get over it.

He's mine." Followed by a string of insults about me and about my mom. A side note here is that I had anger issues at the time. I was boiling angry. I didn't want to respond publically and get iced instead of her. So, I went to the one person who always knew how to calm me down, Jacob.

I sat down across from him just to joke around and lighten the mood. But he knew something was off. He asked what was going on, and I just broke down. I told him everything. He pulled me into a giant hug. That moment was a giant stepping stone because a few months later, that friend asked me to marry him.

Jacob and I started hanging out constantly. I had had a crush on him since the day we met, so this was thrilling for me. Also, in those 3 years, he became my best friend. But Christina also had a crush on him. In fact, she had pushed herself on him regularly for 3 years. He always politely declined.

And when she started dating my brother to make him jealous (they were friends, too). He completely wrote her off. Jacob didn't play games or like watching people get hurt. (She ended up really hurting my brother.) So when Jacob asked me if I ever considered us a possibility, I agreed to date him "with the intention of marriage."

Literally started dating in mid-September, got engaged that Christmas. ("When you know, you know," He said with a shrug). I, of course, agreed. I was hopelessly in love with him. Nathan and Christina lasted maybe 2.5 months! He didn't like the frosty reception he got from everyone when she was around, and she couldn't handle that he had a full-time job that kept him quite busy. (Ran a funeral home).

But also, Christina was a train wreck and constantly spoke about her ex and complained all the time. When Christina found out Jacob and I were engaged, she had a very public melt down where she swore, "I'll steal him from her!" Once Jacob heard about it, he laughed and said, "Let her try," and stopped speaking with her. His confidence left me feeling confident, so I shrugged it off, too.

I am still petty, though. So when it came time, I invited her entire family to the wedding, including her. I didn't think they'd show, but to my delight, they did! Gifts in hand. You could tell her parents thought she was gonna end up with Jacob. But I, and quite frankly, my mother got the joy of watching them all grow more and more uncomfortable as the night wore on.

(They were still being frosted out by the community! But I was seen virtuous because I never responded and graciously invited them to my wedding.) Jacob and I have been married for a decade now. We have traveled all over the country and have a beautiful little boy together. Couldn't be happier.

I've never heard from Nathan again, so sorry, no closure there. But Christina did eventually get back with her ex. They married and have had children together. But she was forced out of the community. No one trusted her anymore, and because she vowed to steal my husband no one wanted her around. Her parents also left, but that's not my story to tell.

My mom enjoyed watching karma come from Christina, but has since moved on. My brother resented her for a very long time, but has let it go since meeting someone new. It never affected his relationship with Jacob. They happily call each other brothers. So TL;DR: quietly move on and let Karma handle those two. The best revenge is finding happiness. Also, be sure to invite them to the wedding.

As the latest developments reveal ever-deepening cracks in previously steadfast relationships, the overarching narrative becomes a testament to how betrayal reverberates beyond its immediate impact. The update serves as a cautionary tale about the peril of mixing personal history with public spectacle, urging readers to contemplate whether immediate emotional reactivity is truly the best path forward.

What steps might be taken to restore trust and protect one’s emotional well-being in an age dominated by social media? How would you navigate the fine line between seeking justice and preserving peace? Share your thoughts and join the conversation.

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