AITA for taking back the car I gave to my stepdaughter after she disrespected me?
He stepped into a role that was never truly his by birth, trying to carve out a place in the life of a teenage girl who saw him only as a stranger—a mere shadow beside her mother.
Every effort to connect felt like a fragile thread stretched thin, yet he persisted, driven by hope and a quiet love that sought to mend the distance between them.
Meanwhile, he bore the weight of their dreams and sacrifices, working longer hours to support a wife chasing her passion, even as money grew tight and the future uncertain.
In buying a simple car for Lily, he hoped to ignite not just her independence, but a fragile bridge of trust—an unspoken promise that he was there, trying to be more than just "mom’s husband."
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When the Crowd Speaks, It Echoes Loudly:
This one sparked a storm. The comments range from brutally honest to surprisingly supportive — and everything in between.
NTA.
The Original Poster (OP) is experiencing deep hurt and resentment after making significant financial and emotional investments into his stepdaughter's life, only to feel betrayed by her expressed contempt.
His action of repossessing the car stemmed from a desire to reclaim respect and value after feeling taken for granted by both his wife and stepdaughter regarding his sacrifices.
Did the OP violate a fundamental expectation of gift-giving by retracting a major financial gift due to emotional offense, or was his action a necessary boundary enforcement against persistent disrespect and emotional manipulation from his stepdaughter?
Should the OP apologize for his reaction, or should the family address the underlying lack of appreciation for his support?