I Refuse to Let My Sister Back Into Our Lives After What She Did

Relationships can be hard. But this is especially true if the couple wants children and is struggling to have them. It leads to a lot of stress and can end in unnecessary arguments. What’s even worse is when it finally happens, but not in the way one of the partners expected.

One of our readers reached out to us.

Dear Bright Side,

My husband and I have been together since college. About eight years ago, we decided that we were ready to start a family. We tried for a good few years but had no success.

About four years after we started trying, I went to a specialist to find out what the problem was. He told me that my body chemistry was making it impossible for me to carry a child to term. I was devastated to say the least.

After that, my husband and I stopped trying. That was until a couple of years ago, when my colleague brought up the option of surrogacy. I hadn’t thought of it before because it was so expensive.

We did extensive research and decided that the price for a surrogate was just too high for us. Once again, I was crushed. I was in an inconsolable state, so I called my sister. I told her what happened, and she came up with a brilliant idea. She offered to be the surrogate for us.

We started the treatment immediately. There were a few failed attempts, but within a year, my sister was pregnant, and she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. That was when things started to get weird.

My husband insisted on having her move in with us. He said it would be better for the baby and give us more free time. She could do all the babysitting and I could return to work like I wanted to.

A few days ago, my husband got sick. I rushed my daughter to the doctor, thinking it might be contagious. After some tests, the doctor informed me that I wasn’t my daughter’s biological mother. I was furious, thinking the IVF clinic’s birth had been messed up.

Turns out, all of my assumptions were wrong. When I told my husband about it, he admitted that he had been having an affair with my sister since we started the journey. They have both betrayed me in the worst possible way.

I was furious and immediately told him to leave. But now I’m stuck in a difficult position. I love my daughter. I raised her like she was my own. And I have no idea what will happen to her if I file for a divorce.

Thank you for reaching out to us. We understand how painful and confusing a situation like this can be. So, we’ve put together a few tips that might help you get through this devastating time.

Go through the paperwork.

The first thing to consider is whether you and your husband signed a surrogacy agreement with your sister. If you did, look at the terms of the contract and see what you are legally entitled to. If she signed the child over to the two of you, then she can’t claim parental rights.

Get in touch with a lawyer.

The next thing to look into is getting a lawyer. This is a crucial step if you want to remain the child’s legal guardian. They can help you get a better understanding of the situation and give you a detailed explanation of what you can do to keep custody. It’s important to know your rights in a case like this, especially if no agreement was drawn up.

It will be a lengthy battle.

Taking legal action against a family member or a loved one is never easy. There are a lot of emotions involved, and court proceedings take time. Ask your lawyer about what could go wrong, how many appeals can be filed, and what the general time frame is for a case like this. And it’s also important to find out what will happen with the child while the court is making a decision.

You are not alone.

Situations like these aren’t as uncommon as you might think. And because of that, there are support groups for people who have been in similar situations. Joining one of these groups can help in many ways. Some of the people there can tell you what they experienced, and they can give you an insight into what you can expect.

Situations like these are never easy to deal with. But with the right advice, anything can be overcome. If you’d like to read another tragic story that led to a divorce, read it here.