Dad Discarded Mom for Someone Younger—I Took Revenge

Family relationships can be complex, but when feelings of abandonment and pride come into play, things can get really explosive. How far would you be willing to go to make a loved one see how much they’ve hurt you?

One reader wrote to share her story, a mix of pain, revenge and unexpected consequences. Her father decided to start a new life with a much younger woman, leaving behind everything that had once been important to him. But she had something to say about it... And she did it in a way no one saw coming.

Hi, Bright Side.

I’m Emily, I’m 27, and I need to get this off my chest. Maybe someone out there can tell me if what I did was unforgivable—or if my pain somehow justifies it. Because right now, all I feel is a mix of bitterness, guilt... And a strange sense of satisfaction I can’t fully explain.

My parents divorced when I was 22. It wasn’t a battle, just quiet heartbreak. My mom, Diane, cried in the kitchen when she thought no one could hear. My dad, Richard, moved out and into a shiny new life. A condo downtown. A BMW. And then... Melissa.

She was 24.

At first, I tried to be neutral. “If she makes him happy...” That kind of thing. But Dad didn’t just fall in love—he paraded her.

Every family gathering, she was there. Clingy. Loud. Calling him “Ricky” in front of my grandma. Laughing way too hard at his dad jokes.

And the way he looked at her, like she was this golden trophy he had earned. Like she made him young again. Like we were nothing but relics of his past.

It stung. Every. Single. Time.

When my mom had surgery last year, he didn’t even visit the hospital. “I’ll send something,” he texted. But for Melissa’s birthday, he rented a rooftop bar and flew in a private chef.

That was when something snapped in me.

I found out about the party through my cousin. I wasn’t invited, of course. But I went. And I didn’t go alone. I decided to get even, to show him how ridiculous his behavior was, how bad he looked with someone so young by his side.

I walked in with Charles—a 59-year-old lawyer I’d met at a legal conference. Distinguished. Confident. A known figure in the city... And one of Dad’s former colleagues. He was just my friend, clearly, but he agreed to accompany me to the event.

The second we entered, my father’s eyes widened like he’d seen a ghost. Melissa blinked rapidly, her smile faltering. And then Charles shook dad’s hand with a sly grin and said, “Well, well, Richard... Never thought I’d see your daughter on my arm.”

The silence was deafening. And I—God, I hate how good it felt—I leaned in and said, “Better grab those heart pills, Dad.”

And I walked out.

For one shining moment, I felt powerful. Like I’d taken something back that had been stolen from me.

But that moment didn’t last.

My phone didn’t ring. No angry texts. Just... silence.

And it’s stayed that way. My dad stopped coming to family events. He blocked me on everything. Melissa moved to Florida. My grandma told me he’s “heartbroken and ashamed.” My mom won’t even look me in the eyes when his name comes up.

Now, every time I look at the picture I took with Charles that night, I don’t see revenge. I see a scared little girl who just wanted her dad back. Who hated being replaced. Who wanted him to feel what she had felt—abandoned, invisible, small.

So now I’m left with this question: Did I go too far? Did I fight cruelty with more cruelty? Or was it justice—just wrapped in pain?

I don’t know, Bright Side. I don’t know if I should feel proud or ashamed. All I know is, I miss my dad. And I wish he hadn’t made me feel like I had to become someone else just to get his attention.

—Emily, New York

Thank you so much, Emily, for sharing your story with us.

We know it is not easy to talk about such personal issues, and we deeply appreciate your courage in doing so. Family relationships can hurt like few other things in life. There is no one “right” way to react when we feel left out or replaced.

But we also know that carrying anger or silence can leave wounds that are difficult to heal. That’s why we want to share with you some tips that may help you through this difficult time. They are not magic solutions, but they are small ideas that could open a door to reconciliation, understanding or, at least, a little inner peace.

Advice for Emily (and anyone in a similar situation):

• Allow yourself to feel what you feel, without guilt. Pain, anger and sadness are valid emotions. Don’t beat yourself up for reacting the way you did. It was your way of saying, “This hurts me.”
• It’s not about justifying what your dad did, but it’s about understanding. Maybe he also felt fear, insecurity or a need to feel young again. Understanding is not the same as approving.
• Talk to someone you trust or seek emotional support. A therapist, close friend or even a support group can help you sort through your feelings and decide how to move forward.
• Consider sending a message without expectations. Something brief and honest, such as, “I just want you to know that I miss you, and that even though what happened hurt, I’m open to talking when you are ready,” can be the start of something different.
• Accept that the end may not be the way you imagined it would be. Sometimes making amends doesn’t happen the way we hope, but knowing that we did what we could, can bring a lot of peace.

Remember, Emily, no family is perfect. But in trying, in forgiveness and in honest dialogue, sometimes you find something that is worth much more than being right: the possibility of healing.

Sometimes family wounds don’t bleed, but they hurt for years. Emily wanted to do justice in her own way, but ended up more alone than she imagined. What do you think? Did she go too far or just act from a place of grief? What would you have done in her place? Tell us in the comments.

And if you want to read more stories about family dramas, don’t miss this article about another father whose actions generated an uncontrolled conflict in the family.