Man Spent His Child’s College Savings to Pay For His New Wife’s Law Degree, But His Daughter Replied With Only a Simple Response.
In a maelstrom of family conflict, the Original Poster (OP) risks using his daughter’s college fund to finance his current wife’s law school education, expecting to replenish it before his daughter’s need arises. But when the daughter’s aspirations shift from makeup artistry to a prestigious computer science degree at a private college, this decision spirals into a heartbreaking revelation, culminating in a clash between OP, his ex-wife, and his daughter. In the aftermath of the argument, relationships hang in the balance as a potential custody battle looms.
A Daughter’s Heartbreak
OP’s loving bond with his 14-year-old daughter deteriorates when she sides with her mother during the parents’ divorce. Despite the tension, OP remains dedicated to his daughter, investing time and love.
Meeting the Second Wife
While grappling with the fallout from his divorce, OP meets a vibrant and youthful 20-year-old woman preparing for law school. Their connection deepens, and OP proposes, hoping to start their married life free of financial burden.
A Controversial Decision
Fearing the burden of student loans, OP decides to fund his new wife’s law education. To do this, he uses his daughter’s college fund, promising himself to replenish it over time. This decision was made with his daughter’s beauty school aspirations in mind.
Shattered Dreams
OP’s daughter reveals that she is now on a path to study computer science at a prestigious private university. Her new career plans are a stark contrast to her previous wishes, confounding OP. The unexpected revelation sets the stage for a heart-wrenching confrontation.
The Unveiling
OP reveals to his shocked daughter the depletion of her college fund to finance his current wife’s law school education. Her heartbreak intensifies as she realizes that her dream education is financially out of reach.
Accusations Fly
Facing an enraged ex-wife, OP justifies his actions, explaining the context of his daughter’s initial disinterest in a traditional college path. The escalating disagreement culminates in OP threatening to completely revoke his daughter’s college fund, sparking a further divide between father and daughter.
The Daughter’s Defiance
In response to the heated argument, the daughter renounces her relationship with her father, addressing him by his first name only. The growing tension strains the father-daughter bond to its breaking point.
The Second Wife’s Past
The romance between OP and his new wife began as an affair while OP was still married to his first wife, setting a complex stage for family dynamics. The undercurrents of resentment start to bubble up, threatening to erode relationships further.
Daughter’s Hostility towards the Second Wife
The daughter’s resentment towards the second wife is rooted not only in the circumstances of her parents’ split but also in her perceived replacement. The hostilities include cruel pranks and derogatory comments.
Conditional Forgiveness
While attempting to rectify the situation, OP decides to continue funding his daughter’s college education, contingent upon her acceptance and respect towards his second wife. OP is torn between his obligations toward his daughter and his loyalty to his wife.
The Second Wife’s Interference
Despite her strained relationship with the daughter, the second wife reaches out to the ex-wife, hoping to mend the tension. She proposes to return the remaining funds to the daughter. This gesture enrages the first wife, who says she doesn’t need her charity.
The Strain on the Second Marriage
The second wife, now burdened with guilt and accusations, criticizes OP for his lack of transparency about the college fund. The conflict takes a toll on their marriage, resulting in her decision to temporarily leave their shared home.
Ex-Wife’s Fury
In response to the second wife’s call, OP’s ex-wife expresses her anger and blames OP for their daughter’s heartache, rekindling old wounds. After the escalating series of events, OP’s ex-wife forbids him from seeing or contacting their daughter. She leverages her full custody rights, alienating OP from his daughter’s life.
Self-Reflection and Justification
Despite the mounting chaos, OP remains steadfast in his belief that his intentions were in the right place. He finds himself struggling to understand the extent of the turmoil that his actions have caused. As he navigates the fallout, he clings to the hope of a peaceful resolution.
Unanswered Questions
With the fate of his relationships with his daughter, his ex-wife, and his second wife remaining uncertain, OP posts his story to an online forum to gauge the community’s reaction. Did he make the wrong decisions from the beginning? Is he the bad guy in these events?
Was The Man’s Behavior Appropriate?
The readers in the forum had plenty to say on the matter. Here are some of their responses:
Forum Responds
One reader says, “You took money from a child who has no way to earn that money. Your current wife, an adult, did have a way to pay for the schooling.”
Another Commenter Thinks
Another responder writes, “I think this is less about you spending the college fund and more about the fact that you know so little about your daughter. You didn’t know she was taking AP courses? Or that she’s entering a science fair? Or changed her mind about college?”
A Third View on The Story
A different person states, “You cheated on your wife with someone who is basically a child. Then, you decide to pay for her education over your own daughter’s?”
A Final Perspective on the Matter
Another reader replies, “Don’t think you’re off the hook for using her college fund. You thought she didn’t need it, which was ridiculous, considering she was twelve! You ‘planned’ to replenish it, but it doesn’t seem you did that, did you?”
What Do You Think?
What are your thoughts on their actions?
What would you have done in this situation?
This story is inspired by a thread from an online forum.