New husband demands wife give stepdaughter her family heirloom instead of her own daughter
When someone inherits a family heirloom, they often take on the role of custodian, safeguarding its journey from one generation to the next. However, for one woman, this straightforward concept took an unexpected turn when her new husband suggested a different approach.
Turning to Reddit for advice, the 35-year-old woman shared her predicament, rooted in her family’s tradition of passing down an emerald necklace to the eldest daughter or son on their 14th birthday. Her daughter, Emily, is set to inherit this treasured heirloom on her upcoming 14th birthday in January 2024.
Despite Joey’s knowledge of the family tradition and the woman’s intent to bestow the necklace upon Emily, he made a surprising suggestion during a holiday gift discussion.
Joey proposed that his daughter, Sophia, should be the recipient of the emerald jewelry instead, arguing it would symbolize the woman’s acceptance of Sophia as her daughter. Uncomfortable with this proposition, the woman reiterated that Emily was aware of the family tradition and eagerly anticipated receiving the necklace… However, Joey remained steadfast and refused to reconsider.
In fact, he accused his wife of showing favoritism, labeling her selfish and suggesting she could easily purchase another necklace for Emily from Amazon! Despite Joey’s persistence, the woman stood her ground, affirming that her family heirloom would unequivocally be passed down to Emily, regardless of Joey’s opinion.
Clearly displeased with her unwavering stance, Joey resorted to giving her the silent treatment (except in front of the children).
Joey took it a step further by involving his mother and sister, who echoed his accusations of favoritism and supported his belief that the necklace should be given to Sophia.
Feeling the strain on her marriage, the woman sought opinions on Reddit regarding the justification of her actions. Predictably, internet users overwhelmingly supported her stance!
One user commented: “You’re not showing favoritism by honoring family tradition. Emily is your child, and the necklace rightfully belongs to her. Your stepdaughter isn’t entitled to it. I would have told him that his daughter can get a replica from Amazon if it’s that important to him.”
They further advised: “That said, you should ensure the necklace is stored securely, perhaps in a bank vault, because trust me, as soon as Emily has it, it’s likely to ‘disappear’ or be ‘accidentally’ damaged.”
Another user echoed this sentiment, stating: “It’s crucial to keep the necklace locked away in a secure location where neither your stepdaughter nor your husband can access it. I would sit down with Emily and explain why you’re doing this, emphasizing that while you consider it hers, it’s best to keep it safe.”
