A traditional couple who always prioritized their younger son over their older daughter faced a harsh dose of karma when the boy grew up to be a constant source of trouble for them.
John and Mary were deeply traditional. It was something everyone on their street knew well. They lived by different rules and held beliefs that set them apart from their neighbors.
One of their core beliefs was that a male child was more important than a female child. They had two children: a son, Junior, and a daughter, Lydia.
Lydia could only catch a break when she went to stay with her grandfather. | Photo: Shutterstock
Junior was the younger of the two, yet he always received his parents’ full attention and sympathy simply because he was a boy. Lydia, on the other hand, was mostly overlooked—except when there were household chores to be done. They barely acknowledged her, and if she ever brought up an issue that needed solving, they would quickly silence her.
“Mom, my last decent pair of pants just tore,” she mentioned to her mother one day. “Could I get some money to buy a replacement?”
“No, you cannot,” her mother replied. “Your brother just got a brand-new PlayStation console, and it wasn’t cheap. You’ll have to make do with what you have for now.”
Lydia was mostly ignored by her parents until it was time to get the house chores done | Source: Pexels
Later that day, her mother convinced her to cut off her pants at the knees with scissors, so no one would notice they had torn.
Lydia lived her life in this way; as her brother grew older, her parents devoted more time and resources to him. Meanwhile, she was still treated like the household servant—a role Junior quickly adopted.
He would boss her around, and instead of correcting his behavior, her parents would support him, even going as far as punishing her before him to calm his frustration after they had a disagreement.
Lydia’s brother got the most attention and resources from her parents | Source : Pexels
Their arguments grew so heated one day that her brother blurted out his deepest wish—to be an only child.
“I hate you, Lydia! Life would have been so much better if I were the only kid Mom and Dad had to look after,” he snapped.
“I wish that were true too! Then you’d have to clean up after yourself or make them do it for you!” Lydia shot back.
Her sharp replies always infuriated her brother, fueling his resentment even more. The only time Lydia ever got a break from the chaos was during the summer when she stayed with her grandfather.
Junior usually went to well-funded music camp, a contrast to the funding Lydia usually received. | Source: Pexels
Junior often attended an expensive music camp, but when it came to Lydia, her parents refused to spend the same amount on her. Instead, they sent her to live with her grandfather, who adored her.
Like Lydia, her grandfather had been neglected by his own parents, who only reached out when they needed something. One summer, after the camp ended, her parents forgot to pick her up from her grandfather’s house. It left her feeling upset, but her grandfather brightened her spirits by taking her on a shopping trip.
She felt pure joy, knowing that all her clothes were now too worn out to keep using. This realization pushed her to make a decision—she wanted to stay with her grandfather permanently. Without hesitation, she called her parents to inform them.
“Dad, Mom, I just wanted to let you know that I’d rather stay with Grandpa a little longer,” she said over the phone.
Lydia told her parents she preferred to stay with her grandfather | Source: Pexels
Lydia’s parents seemed enthused about the whole idea | Source: Pexels
Things stayed that way for years, even after Lydia left for college. But when she finally graduated and returned to the city, she found herself stranded—without a job or a place to live.
Hoping for some support, she called her parents to ask if she could move back into her old room. However, they immediately shut down the idea, explaining that her room had been converted into Junior’s music studio.
“Your brother is going to be a star, Lydia, we just know it. That’s why we’re all making sacrifices for him,” they told her.
Lydia went to college and she graduated | Source: Pexels
A few months after Lydia graduated, her grandfather passed away, but her parents didn’t attend the funeral. For days, she stayed at his house, mourning his loss and reflecting on his kindness.
One afternoon, there was a knock at the door. When Lydia answered, a notary introduced himself as her grandfather’s lawyer. He explained that her grandpa had left her a substantial inheritance.
Apparently, he had been saving for years, and upon his passing, everything was to go to Lydia. She was wealthy now. The news quickly reached her parents, and they contacted her not long after.
“Hey, Lydia, how’ve you been?” her father asked. Her mother, on the other hand, skipped the small talk completely.
Lydia became rich after her grandfather willed all his inheritance to her | Source: Pexels
“Lydia, we heard about your inheritance,” her mother said. “Your brother is heading to college, and he needs a new apartment. Be a good big sister and send him some money as a gift.”
“That’s why you called?” Lydia asked, her voice flat.
“Well, of course. What else would we call for? You’re obviously doing just fine,” her mother replied dismissively.
In the end, Lydia refused. She cut all ties with her family and moved forward with her life, leaving them behind for good.
Lydia received a call from her parents several years later | Source: Pexels
Years later, Lydia received a call from her parents. They wanted to apologize for their past behavior, but Lydia could sense there was more to the story.
“Why are you really calling?” she asked, her voice steady.
“Your brother stole a large sum of money from the family safe and disappeared,” her mother sobbed. “We’re broke and need your help!”
Lydia felt a surge of anger, but in the end, she chose to forgive them. She sent them some money but made it clear that she would not be there for them again. She wanted them to understand that while they were forgiven, their past actions would never be forgotten.
Junior had stolen a huge amount of money from the family safe and had disappeared | Source: Pexels
Lessons from This Story
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Never Play Favorites with Your Children – Favoritism can have lasting consequences. John and Mary prioritized their son while neglecting their daughter, which led to their son becoming entitled and selfish. In the end, their favoritism only brought them pain and regret.
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Forgiveness is Difficult but Powerful – Lydia had every reason to turn her back on her parents after years of neglect. Instead, she chose to take the high road by forgiving them and ensuring they had the means to survive. Forgiveness not only gave her peace of mind but also helped her parents realize the unfairness of their actions.
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Kindness and Generosity Leave a Lasting Impact – Holding onto resentment can be easy, but choosing compassion makes a difference. Lydia’s actions serve as a reminder that even in the face of injustice, kindness can lead to healing and transformation.
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