I Took Back the Concert Tickets I Gave My Ex’s Parents After They Destroyed Our Relationship
A young man once tried to help his girlfriend’s struggling family—until he realized they were manipulating their kids for money. When the relationship fell apart, he made one bold move to reclaim what he’d given.
At 18, the OP dated a girl from a deeply sheltered, religious, and tightly controlled family. Her mother managed to get every child—none of whom had genuine mental health issues—diagnosed with disabilities so she could collect their SSI checks and earn $64 an hour as their “caregiver.” OP’s girlfriend later admitted to helping her mother fake dyslexia to qualify. What began as an innocent teenage relationship soon exposed an entire household built on manipulation and financial abuse.
I tried to love their daughter, but her parents were milking their kids for cash—and blamed me when she wanted a real life.
As the relationship deepened, OP tried to support the family—even buying concert tickets for his girlfriend’s mom for Christmas. But when his girlfriend wanted to move in with him, everything turned hostile. Her mother panicked because losing her daughter meant losing thousands in monthly income. She accused OP of sinister motives, blamed his faith, and painted him as a threat. Her father even threatened violence.
“I wasn’t going to force her to pick me over her family. She broke up with me—and I was devastated.”
Months later, OP was preparing to move into a better apartment but was short on the security deposit. Then he remembered the concert tickets he had purchased—tickets still sitting in his Ticketmaster account, untouched. He resold them immediately to make up the $300 he needed, securing his new place. When the concert date arrived, his ex’s family drove three hours only to be denied entry because their “tickets” had been resold.
“My phone blew up with insults… and I just sat there with a sick grin.”
The family called him every name imaginable, furious after being turned away from a sold-out show. But OP felt no regret. After the emotional turmoil, manipulation, and threats he endured, selling the tickets felt like reclaiming something they took from him.
🏠 The Aftermath
OP moved into his new apartment using the money from reselling the tickets.
His ex’s family cut contact except to lash out, but the relationship was already over, and he felt relieved to be free from the chaos.
Their six-hour round trip to a sold-out concert ended in disappointment—while OP moved forward with his life.
Revenge wasn’t the goal—but it sure was satisfying.
OP recognizes the situation was messy and emotional, but after everything the family put him through, he doesn’t feel guilty about taking back a gift they never deserved.
💭 Emotional Reflection
This story is a textbook case of how controlling families can trap their children in dependency—emotionally and financially. OP stepped into a system designed to exploit the kids, and when he encouraged independence, the family lashed out. Their reaction wasn’t about love; it was about losing income.
Selling the tickets didn’t fix the trauma, but it symbolized OP reclaiming power after being scapegoated and disrespected. Sometimes closure comes from small, symbolic acts that remind you of your autonomy.
People may debate whether selling the tickets was petty or justified, but given the manipulation and threats, it’s easy to understand why OP felt no guilt.
Readers had plenty to say about the family and OP’s final move.
Honestly, you dodged a bullet. That family sounded like a walking scam operation.
Selling the tickets wasn’t petty—it was poetic justice after what they put you through.
Your ex deserved better than her parents, and you deserved better than that whole mess.
Most commenters applauded OP for getting out, condemned the family’s exploitation, and saw the ticket resale as fair payback in a deeply unfair situation.
🌱 Final Thoughts
Relationships aren’t just between two people—they often involve entire families, for better or worse. In this case, OP learned that love can’t survive when manipulation and money are pulling the strings.
His final move wasn’t revenge so much as closure—a reminder that sometimes the best thing you can do is walk away and reclaim what’s yours.
What do you think?
Would you have left, or stayed and kept trying to make it work? Share your thoughts below 👇
0 Comments