AITA for being hurtful towards my children after I found out they had been contacting my “affair child”?

Family relationships are complicated enough without throwing betrayal, rejection, and unexpected wealth into the mix. But when they do? You get a story like this one. Our protagonist—a father who admittedly made a colossal mistake—found himself in an impossible situation, balancing the needs of his wife, his “legitimate” children, and his daughter, Daisy, born from an affair. Years of estrangement led to a painful reunion, but now, with Daisy married into extreme wealth, things have taken a dramatic and, frankly, embarrassing turn.

The tension reached its peak when Daisy texted him, asking him to tell his other children to stop contacting her—along with some very pointed cash emojis. What happened next? A confrontation, an explosion of emotions, and the internet picking apart the family dynamics with all the finesse of a courtroom drama.

‘AITA for being hurtful towards my children after I found out they had been contacting my “affair child”?’

Letting family wounds fester and then trying to mend them with dollar signs? That rarely ends well. In situations like this, it’s important to understand the underlying psychology behind sudden shifts in family relationships when money is involved.

Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a clinical psychologist and expert on toxic relationships, notes that financial disparities often exacerbate existing tensions within families. “When one family member experiences sudden wealth, it can create a dynamic where those who once ignored or mistreated them may attempt to reestablish ties—not out of genuine affection, but due to perceived financial gain.”

In this case, Daisy grew up feeling rejected by her father’s “legitimate” family. The mother and siblings never accepted her, and she likely felt like an unwanted guest in her own home. The years of emotional neglect created a deep divide that money cannot simply erase. So when the siblings suddenly reached out, she had every reason to be suspicious.

From a broader perspective, this story highlights a common issue in blended families—particularly when a child from an affair is involved. The emotional wounds of infidelity can last for generations, and when parents fail to address these issues openly, they create a cycle of pain and exclusion that eventually leads to resentment.

But what’s the solution? Experts suggest open and honest communication early on. Family therapy could have helped bridge the gap before it widened beyond repair. Additionally, clear boundaries should have been set when Daisy moved in—rather than allowing an unspoken but deeply felt divide to persist.

Here’s how people reacted to the post:

Here are some hot takes from the Reddit community—brutally honest, as always:

Some users pointed out that the father’s “legitimate” family only seemed to acknowledge Daisy when money entered the equation. Others questioned how a household could be run in such a way that Daisy was actively ignored for years. And then there were those who called out the wife and kids for what they perceived as hypocrisy.

At the end of the day, this isn’t just a story about money—it’s about long-standing wounds that were never properly addressed. Daisy’s rejection of her siblings may be harsh, but considering the past, it’s understandable. The real question here is: can family bonds ever be truly repaired after such deep fractures? What do you think? Can relationships like these be salvaged, or is Daisy right to close the door? Let us know in the comments!