Feeling torn between people

Alright, here’s the deal. I got married, had a kid, and we finished renovating the attic in our house. Everything was going great at first, but then everything just fell apart. My wife moved out. Now, I’m being forced to make a choice. She says if I want to be with her, I have to cut my parents out completely. Meanwhile, my parents are telling me if I go back to her, don't bother coming home ever again. I am totally torn. There is no way to make them see reason; everyone is digging their heels in. To make matters worse, I’m unemployed right now, and finding work is a massive struggle. I’ve always struggled with low self-esteem and some depressive stuff, too. Just when I felt like I finally found a little bit of peace in life—boom. Now, I’m feeling like giving up on everything entirely. A lot of the blame lies with my parents, but there's plenty on my end, too. My heart pulls me toward my wife and child, but my mother has been through absolute hell since the day I was born just to take care of me. I don't want to hurt anyone, but I'm stuck choosing because nobody involved is acting rationally.

I believe your primary responsibility lies with your child rather than your parents. Moving away doesn't mean you're "abandoning" them; they made the choice to distance themselves. Don't let anyone guilt-trip you. Your parents should be acting in your best interest, just as any parent ought to.

My advice would be to go to your wife and child, because that is where you are needed most. Let your parents know you're available to them, but make it clear they shouldn't interfere in your marriage. Tell your wife that this discussion is closed, and don't force visits if everyone can't find common ground.

Perhaps it might be wise to speak with a professional regarding those thoughts of self-harm... or just about these struggles in general. Please don't carry this weight alone. I'll simply say this: your child needs you. Wishing you the best. 🙂

Kyle Martin3 said:I believe your primary responsibility lies with your child rather than your parents. Moving away doesn't mean you're "abandoning" them; they made the choice to distance themselves. Don't let anyone guilt-trip you. Your parents should be acting in your best interest, just as any parent ought to.

My advice would be to go to your wife and child, because that is where you are needed most. Let your parents know you're available to them, but make it clear they shouldn't interfere in your marriage. Tell your wife that this discussion is closed, and don't force visits if everyone can't find common ground.

Perhaps it might be wise to speak with a professional regarding those thoughts of self-harm... or just about these struggles in general. Please don't carry this weight alone. I'll simply say this: your child needs you. Wishing you the best. 🙂

+1

So, I was talking to some folks who deal with dysfunctional family stuff all the time, and they were saying that even moms in situations like yours often end up reconciling after a while once her son finally settles into his own way of thinking.
Good luck!

I honestly don't see the issue here. Being close to your folks is great, but dude... what’s the ultimate "mission" for any man or woman? It's moving out and building your own family.
What's the whole point of parenting? It's raising kids who are capable and independent—people who can handle whatever life throws at them and eventually start their own lives.

Seriously, I don't get why you're even overthinking this. Your place is with your wife and your kid. Your parents either have to accept it or they "lose" a son. There isn't some middle ground.
The stuff they're demanding from you is borderline pathological. When they start throwing around ultimatums like that? That's rock bottom.

Just tell them straight: your place is with the woman you chose and the child you're raising. They can either be a positive part of your life or they can go jump in a lake. Just because they raised you doesn't mean they get to wreck your life.
Don't try to play nice or sugarcoat it. Stop trying to balance this crap, man up, and just do what needs to be done!

What absolute nonsense!
Of course you’re going to choose your wife and child over everything else... I mean, who do you need more—your helpless kid or your grown woman (who happens to be your mother)? It’s a simple question: whose happiness matters more, your child's or your parents'?
It’s the exact same dilemma as deciding who to save if both your mother and your child are dangling off a cliff edge.
And honestly, if you have even a shred of sanity left, you’re saving the kid—even if it means leaving your mother behind. After all, the child is yours, they have an entire life ahead of them, whereas she’s already lived hers and is being so incredibly toxic that she actually thinks she can blackmail you..

It’s glaringly obvious that this "hellish life" he claims to lead🙄 hasn't been quite hellish enough for him. If it had, he would have actually tried to turn her into a decent human being. If she were actually a good person, she wouldn't be trying to manipulate him just to save her own skin; she'd be focused on making sure her child was happy and healthy... and watching with pride as they grew into a responsible man and father...
(this applies to both parents)

Kyle Martin3 said:I believe your primary responsibility lies with your child rather than your parents. Moving away doesn't mean you're "abandoning" them; they made the choice to distance themselves. Don't let anyone guilt-trip you. Your parents should be acting in your best interest, just as any parent ought to.

My advice would be to go to your wife and child, because that is where you are needed most. Let your parents know you're available to them, but make it clear they shouldn't interfere in your marriage. Tell your wife that this discussion is closed, and don't force visits if everyone can't find common ground.

Perhaps it might be wise to speak with a professional regarding those thoughts of self-harm... or just about these struggles in general. Please don't carry this weight alone. I'll simply say this: your child needs you. Wishing you the best. 🙂

I'm with this guy 100%, from A to Z.👍
Between your parents and your wife and kid, pick the latter if you have to... the kid needs you, and I bet your wife is going through hell too...
And if your parents try to claim you're dead to them, don't sweat it. It's just manipulation to try and keep you under their thumb...
Maybe not right away, but give it a year or two, and they'll probably be calling you begging you to come back...
And whatever your mom did for you growing up, that was her choice and her duty, just like it's your duty now to show up for your own child.👍

You would have chosen a partner if you weren't so terrified of losing that penthouse, but you simply won't. I suppose you have these existential anxieties about being able to provide for a family, and it seems your parents are keeping you under their thumb. If you were mine and were being controlled by your parents—if staying safe mattered more to you than standing by me and our child—I would leave you without a second thought. It all points to the same thing: regardless of your age, you haven't actually grown up. Mentally, you're still just a child.

So, Mom is going to be hurt... well, let her be, she earned it. She isn't thinking about you; if she actually were, she’d be helping you get on your feet. She would want to love your child, her own grandchild, and wish nothing but the best for that little life that is a part of you. She would do everything to make you independent so you could finally break free from her shadow. Instead of giving you wings or offering that penthouse rent-free without meddling in your business, you're essentially cutting your own legs off so you can't escape her, letting her manipulate you with old grievances that she claims are your fault. It's a way of emasculating you and keeping you infantile. It’s selfish, egocentric, and frankly, twisted.

There isn't much to contemplate here; at first glance, it is perfectly clear which decision is wise, which decision the heart would dictate, and what is human versus what is cowardly and selfish on your part. In your case, even considering suicide feels like an act of cowardice and selfishness. You find things so difficult... poor you... it's just easier for you to stay with them. Man, you don't seem to give a single thought to how your wife feels, or to that child, or to how those two will manage alone without a man there to protect and care for them.

silverwolf122 said:I'm with this guy 100%, from A to Z.👍
Between your parents and your wife and kid, pick the latter if you have to... the kid needs you, and I bet your wife is going through hell too...
And if your parents try to claim you're dead to them, don't sweat it. It's just manipulation to try and keep you under their thumb...
Maybe not right away, but give it a year or two, and they'll probably be calling you begging you to come back...
And whatever your mom did for you growing up, that was her choice and her duty, just like it's your duty now to show up for your own child.👍

They really need to shut them down—and they should do it using your exact words. 🙏
👍

Chris Williams said:You would have chosen a partner if you weren't so terrified of losing that penthouse, but you simply won't. I suppose you have these existential anxieties about being able to provide for a family, and it seems your parents are keeping you under their thumb. If you were mine and were being controlled by your parents—if staying safe mattered more to you than standing by me and our child—I would leave you without a second thought. It all points to the same thing: regardless of your age, you haven't actually grown up. Mentally, you're still just a child.

So, Mom is going to be hurt... well, let her be, she earned it. She isn't thinking about you; if she actually were, she’d be helping you get on your feet. She would want to love your child, her own grandchild, and wish nothing but the best for that little life that is a part of you. She would do everything to make you independent so you could finally break free from her shadow. Instead of giving you wings or offering that penthouse rent-free without meddling in your business, you're essentially cutting your own legs off so you can't escape her, letting her manipulate you with old grievances that she claims are your fault. It's a way of emasculating you and keeping you infantile. It’s selfish, egocentric, and frankly, twisted.

There isn't much to contemplate here; at first glance, it is perfectly clear which decision is wise, which decision the heart would dictate, and what is human versus what is cowardly and selfish on your part. In your case, even considering suicide feels like an act of cowardice and selfishness. You find things so difficult... poor you... it's just easier for you to stay with them. Man, you don't seem to give a single thought to how your wife feels, or to that child, or to how those two will manage alone without a man there to protect and care for them.

🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 I couldn't agree more—and honestly, if you look at the big picture here, it’s pretty obvious this guy is failing on all fronts. He’s a total failure as a parent, just as much as he is as a husband (which, by the way, seems to run in the family—he's just following in his parents' footsteps)...
And honestly? I have a sneaking suspicion you might actually be onto something here...

So, what actually happened with the wife moving out? I mean, did your mom drive her away somehow, or was it more about the constant friction and clashes between you two? 🤷

I find myself in complete agreement with the collective wisdom shared by the various members on this forum thus far.
While offering guidance to strangers can be a rather delicate undertaking—especially when one lacks the full context of the situation—it seems to me that the path forward is quite self-evident.
One simply cannot remain perpetually tethered to their mother's side of things indefinitely, particularly when there is already a wife and a child involved in the equation.
It is, I suppose, a fundamental part of the human experience to establish one's independence and step away from the primary family unit to focus on building one's own; and it appears you have already taken those necessary steps.
I won't presume to comment on the intricacies of your marriage—if you and your spouse aren't seeing eye to eye, that is ultimately your decision to make—but I feel quite certain about the needs of your child. They need you, and you absolutely cannot afford to neglect them in favor of your mother. A child is still growing and developing, and they require your guidance, stability, warmth, and every bit of love a parent can provide.

Torn between people
I’ve been struggling with my self-confidence for a long time now
mostly because people just aren't rational

A lot of them will call you out in one way or another, and then you've got those who are just impossible to please

Chris Williams said:You would have chosen a partner if you weren't so terrified of losing that penthouse, but you simply won't. I suppose you have these existential anxieties about being able to provide for a family, and it seems your parents are keeping you under their thumb. If you were mine and were being controlled by your parents—if staying safe mattered more to you than standing by me and our child—I would leave you without a second thought. It all points to the same thing: regardless of your age, you haven't actually grown up. Mentally, you're still just a child.

So, Mom is going to be hurt... well, let her be, she earned it. She isn't thinking about you; if she actually were, she’d be helping you get on your feet. She would want to love your child, her own grandchild, and wish nothing but the best for that little life that is a part of you. She would do everything to make you independent so you could finally break free from her shadow. Instead of giving you wings or offering that penthouse rent-free without meddling in your business, you're essentially cutting your own legs off so you can't escape her, letting her manipulate you with old grievances that she claims are your fault. It's a way of emasculating you and keeping you infantile. It’s selfish, egocentric, and frankly, twisted.

There isn't much to contemplate here; at first glance, it is perfectly clear which decision is wise, which decision the heart would dictate, and what is human versus what is cowardly and selfish on your part. In your case, even considering suicide feels like an act of cowardice and selfishness. You find things so difficult... poor you... it's just easier for you to stay with them. Man, you don't seem to give a single thought to how your wife feels, or to that child, or to how those two will manage alone without a man there to protect and care for them.

Okay, I totally get all that. It just feels like I'm the only one getting screwed over because my wife doesn't care about my side of things. Her old lady told her to her face how much she hated the idea of marriage from the very start. I'm out here fighting battles with my own family, while she won't even lift a finger to help. And yeah, what am I supposed to do for the rest of my life without my parents? But her family is just as against me. See, I can move past my stuff, so I expect her to meet me halfway somehow. Isn't marriage supposed to be about equality?

rowdyharbor15 said:Torn between people
I’ve been struggling with my self-confidence for a long time now
mostly because people just aren't rational

A lot of them will call you out in one way or another, and then you've got those who are just impossible to please

We all have stuff weighing us down. I know there are much bigger problems out there in the world. Everyone tends to view their own issues as the biggest thing going. Honestly, I started this forum as a way to get a little nudge from different perspectives—just a way to clear through the mess of my own head amidst all the confusion.

rowdyharbor15 said:Torn between people
I’ve been struggling with my self-confidence for a long time now
mostly because people just aren't rational

A lot of them will call you out in one way or another, and then you've got those who are just impossible to please

Ratko Mercer, man, stop wasting your breath trying to please every single person around you. At the end of the day, we’re all just living for ourselves and our own happiness, as long as you aren't stepping on anyone else's toes.
Personally, I just don't get those moms out there who won't let their kids go out and actually live their lives.
And I really don't get that whole "sense of duty" toward a parent either, you know, that whole thing where you have to choose between your parents and your own marriage.

Someone tells you straight up that a parent has a responsibility and a duty to their child—that's just how it works before God and man. Now that you're a parent yourself, you've got that exact same obligation.
Obviously, you're gonna help your folks if they need something, but you said you finally found some peace and happiness, right? So go be where that happiness actually is.

If you stay stuck in that old situation, you're just gonna end up hurting yourself, your wife, and your kid.
Your parents will figure out pretty quickly that this is just how life works, and everything will settle down fine.

I find myself in complete agreement with what has been stated here. Please, do not abandon the child.

dustyranger64 said:I honestly don't see the issue here. Being close to your folks is great, but dude... what’s the ultimate "mission" for any man or woman? It's moving out and building your own family.
What's the whole point of parenting? It's raising kids who are capable and independent—people who can handle whatever life throws at them and eventually start their own lives.

Seriously, I don't get why you're even overthinking this. Your place is with your wife and your kid. Your parents either have to accept it or they "lose" a son. There isn't some middle ground.
The stuff they're demanding from you is borderline pathological. When they start throwing around ultimatums like that? That's rock bottom.

Just tell them straight: your place is with the woman you chose and the child you're raising. They can either be a positive part of your life or they can go jump in a lake. Just because they raised you doesn't mean they get to wreck your life.
Don't try to play nice or sugarcoat it. Stop trying to balance this crap, man up, and just do what needs to be done!

🙏🙏

I dealt with something similar with my ex—he just couldn't emotionally detach, and he kept dragging it out until everything finally snapped.
His mother actually told me once, "You just want him all to yourself." Look, a mother is a mother, but a wife is a wife—there's supposed to be a distinction there.
Besides, where does it say a wife and her mother-in-law actually have to get along? It's honestly a shame your mother isn't the only one in a relationship, because you have a right to your own life too.
You don't really have a long-term future with your parents; your future is with your wife and children—assuming that's what you want. And I guess the same logic should apply to her parents. It really comes down to how much they interfere in your marriage. Whether or not they "love" you isn't the point; what matters is how she treats you.
Personally, I would never let my parents disrespect or belittle my partner. It has to be mutual. If it isn't, then things are off from the very start.
Ask yourself if you'll actually be happy if you stay stuck living under their thumb. And honestly, the fact that you're unemployed shouldn't change the principle of the matter. I don't want to sound harsh, but you might need to move past the parental attachment. Blackmail isn't love. And hey, if the marriage fails even after you make this choice, at least you'll know you tried and that the issue lies elsewhere.
The best move is to create some distance and set clear boundaries on what is and isn't acceptable. Others have to respect those lines and adjust. Good luck.

crimsoncanyon2 said:They really need to shut them down—and they should do it using your exact words. 🙏
👍

🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 I couldn't agree more—and honestly, if you look at the big picture here, it’s pretty obvious this guy is failing on all fronts. He’s a total failure as a parent, just as much as he is as a husband (which, by the way, seems to run in the family—he's just following in his parents' footsteps)...
And honestly? I have a sneaking suspicion you might actually be onto something here...

I hate to say this if it rubs you the wrong way, but it might be better for you to just stay quiet and stop weighing in on this thread. Can't you see the guy is being torn apart? He's caught between his parents and a wife who is threatening him with the exact same ultimatum
It’s not surprising that it hurts to think a child might lose their father, but I am surprised you’ve jumped to the conclusion that he’s a bad father just because he’s trapped between two fires. As for what kind of husband he is—well, we aren't in a position to judge, nor is it really our place since we aren't his wife, his child, or his family. I don't quite get your criticism here, especially since he clearly stated he doesn't want to lose his wife—and didn't you notice she was throwing the same threats at him that his parents are?

rustygardener36—it's incredibly sad, and I truly feel for you being in this spot. The child is the most vulnerable person in this whole mess, and you're the father. Kids struggle without a dad, and you'd likely struggle without your kid. You need to sit down and ask yourself what your core values actually are. I can see how devastating the thought of life without your parents or your wife is, but both sides have put you in an impossible position by demanding you abandon the people you love
Have you tried explaining to your parents and your wife the actual toll their demands are taking on you? Sometimes things are staring us right in the face, but we can't see them through the fog of being hurt, insulted, or just plain overwhelmed

Chris Williams said:You would have chosen a partner if you weren't so terrified of losing that penthouse, but you simply won't. I suppose you have these existential anxieties about being able to provide for a family, and it seems your parents are keeping you under their thumb. If you were mine and were being controlled by your parents—if staying safe mattered more to you than standing by me and our child—I would leave you without a second thought. It all points to the same thing: regardless of your age, you haven't actually grown up. Mentally, you're still just a child.

So, Mom is going to be hurt... well, let her be, she earned it. She isn't thinking about you; if she actually were, she’d be helping you get on your feet. She would want to love your child, her own grandchild, and wish nothing but the best for that little life that is a part of you. She would do everything to make you independent so you could finally break free from her shadow. Instead of giving you wings or offering that penthouse rent-free without meddling in your business, you're essentially cutting your own legs off so you can't escape her, letting her manipulate you with old grievances that she claims are your fault. It's a way of emasculating you and keeping you infantile. It’s selfish, egocentric, and frankly, twisted.

There isn't much to contemplate here; at first glance, it is perfectly clear which decision is wise, which decision the heart would dictate, and what is human versus what is cowardly and selfish on your part. In your case, even considering suicide feels like an act of cowardice and selfishness. You find things so difficult... poor you... it's just easier for you to stay with them. Man, you don't seem to give a single thought to how your wife feels, or to that child, or to how those two will manage alone without a man there to protect and care for them.

Child or man—it doesn't really matter. The crux of this story is that both the parents and the wife are forcing him to choose and demand he cut people out of his life.

she's manipulating him with old wounds she claims are his fault, stripping him of his agency and treating him like a child. It's selfish, egocentric, and twisted....

I don't disagree with that, but the wife isn't exactly providing much support either (rustygardener36, I'm not saying she's useless—I realize she's probably confused, depressed, and stressed, so it's hard for her to act any differently—but when I say "not much support," I mean she's making the same mistake as the parents by demanding he renounce the people he cares about) if she's pushing for the same thing they are.
And you aren't exactly helping him find his backbone by calling him a weakling or a coward, either. Did it ever cross your mind that this guy is actually trying to fix things—for himself, for his kid, for his marriage, and for his parents?

There isn't much to debate here—at first glance, it’s pretty obvious what the smart move is versus what the heart wants. It’s clear what’s decent and what’s just being selfish and cowardly on your part. Honestly, even considering suicide in your situation feels like a cowardly, selfish way out. You’re just focused on how hard it is for *you*... poor you... how much better life is when they're around... Man, you really don't seem to give a damn about your wife, or that child, or how those two are supposed to manage without a man there to protect them and provide for them.

Maybe he wouldn't be thinking about taking his own life if his wife and parents hadn't backed him into such a merciless corner in the first place.

Chris Williams said:You would have chosen a partner if you weren't so terrified of losing that penthouse, but you simply won't. I suppose you have these existential anxieties about being able to provide for a family, and it seems your parents are keeping you under their thumb. If you were mine and were being controlled by your parents—if staying safe mattered more to you than standing by me and our child—I would leave you without a second thought. It all points to the same thing: regardless of your age, you haven't actually grown up. Mentally, you're still just a child.

So, Mom is going to be hurt... well, let her be, she earned it. She isn't thinking about you; if she actually were, she’d be helping you get on your feet. She would want to love your child, her own grandchild, and wish nothing but the best for that little life that is a part of you. She would do everything to make you independent so you could finally break free from her shadow. Instead of giving you wings or offering that penthouse rent-free without meddling in your business, you're essentially cutting your own legs off so you can't escape her, letting her manipulate you with old grievances that she claims are your fault. It's a way of emasculating you and keeping you infantile. It’s selfish, egocentric, and frankly, twisted.

There isn't much to contemplate here; at first glance, it is perfectly clear which decision is wise, which decision the heart would dictate, and what is human versus what is cowardly and selfish on your part. In your case, even considering suicide feels like an act of cowardice and selfishness. You find things so difficult... poor you... it's just easier for you to stay with them. Man, you don't seem to give a single thought to how your wife feels, or to that child, or to how those two will manage alone without a man there to protect and care for them.

I agree..

Let them move out of that attic and try living on a single paycheck... just the three of them...
It is vital to have principles, because once you have those, you actually have some dignity.

Wake up... life isn't just about having a backbone; it's about paying the bills, feeding a child, and so on...

Furthermore, if his wife is just as demanding and controlling as his parents, then he doesn't really have a choice at all, because neither path leads to a good outcome..

I’ve finally made up my mind. I’m leaving my wife and moving in with my dietitian. Honestly, I’ll probably lose my entire inheritance in the process—and please don't try to tell me otherwise, because I know my own situation better than anyone. It’s a huge gamble. What if things go south with her? What if we end up splitting up down the road? Who knows. I could end up with absolutely nothing. But honestly, at 27 years old, the thought of living back in my parents' basement when I'm older feels way more terrifying than whatever uncertain future lies ahead. I even asked her parents if they'd let me stay with them just until I could land a job in Chicago. They said no. I’ve been hunting for work like a madman for two months now, looking everywhere from Chicago to Indianapolis. I’ve sent emails to everyone from local CEOs to big-shot recruiters just begging for any basic job, but nothing. The reality is hitting hard: if I don't find something soon, my marriage might be over. It’s impossible to sustain this while being unemployed, and I can't let my kid get caught in the middle of all this stress. We’ve actually been living apart for seven months now. I haven't been seeing my child because I don't want to force myself into their family's house. To be honest, I'm just exhausted. People always say that sunshine follows the rain, but lately, it feels like I'm stuck in a permanent thunderstorm. I don't mean to sound like I'm just complaining—I know everyone has their own battles to fight. But this is my space, and this is where I’m at. Thanks again to everyone for the comments.

Ryan Mendoza said:I hate to say this if it rubs you the wrong way, but it might be better for you to just stay quiet and stop weighing in on this thread. Can't you see the guy is being torn apart? He's caught between his parents and a wife who is threatening him with the exact same ultimatum
It’s not surprising that it hurts to think a child might lose their father, but I am surprised you’ve jumped to the conclusion that he’s a bad father just because he’s trapped between two fires. As for what kind of husband he is—well, we aren't in a position to judge, nor is it really our place since we aren't his wife, his child, or his family. I don't quite get your criticism here, especially since he clearly stated he doesn't want to lose his wife—and didn't you notice she was throwing the same threats at him that his parents are?

rustygardener36—it's incredibly sad, and I truly feel for you being in this spot. The child is the most vulnerable person in this whole mess, and you're the father. Kids struggle without a dad, and you'd likely struggle without your kid. You need to sit down and ask yourself what your core values actually are. I can see how devastating the thought of life without your parents or your wife is, but both sides have put you in an impossible position by demanding you abandon the people you love
Have you tried explaining to your parents and your wife the actual toll their demands are taking on you? Sometimes things are staring us right in the face, but we can't see them through the fog of being hurt, insulted, or just plain overwhelmed

Child or man—it doesn't really matter. The crux of this story is that both the parents and the wife are forcing him to choose and demand he cut people out of his life.

she's manipulating him with old wounds she claims are his fault, stripping him of his agency and treating him like a child. It's selfish, egocentric, and twisted....

I don't disagree with that, but the wife isn't exactly providing much support either (rustygardener36, I'm not saying she's useless—I realize she's probably confused, depressed, and stressed, so it's hard for her to act any differently—but when I say "not much support," I mean she's making the same mistake as the parents by demanding he renounce the people he cares about) if she's pushing for the same thing they are.
And you aren't exactly helping him find his backbone by calling him a weakling or a coward, either. Did it ever cross your mind that this guy is actually trying to fix things—for himself, for his kid, for his marriage, and for his parents?

There isn't much to debate here—at first glance, it’s pretty obvious what the smart move is versus what the heart wants. It’s clear what’s decent and what’s just being selfish and cowardly on your part. Honestly, even considering suicide in your situation feels like a cowardly, selfish way out. You’re just focused on how hard it is for *you*... poor you... how much better life is when they're around... Man, you really don't seem to give a damn about your wife, or that child, or how those two are supposed to manage without a man there to protect them and provide for them.

Maybe he wouldn't be thinking about taking his own life if his wife and parents hadn't backed him into such a merciless corner in the first place.

Thanks for understanding. Honestly, my people can be way too complicated. You try to keep things simple, and suddenly you're sucked into everyone else's drama whether you like it or not.