I’m a university French professor, and I have two stepchildren, aged 12 and 14. Their mother recently asked me to tutor them at home after my workday. I told her, “I’m not a free teacher—my job is already exhausting.” She snapped back with, “What kind of stepmom are you?” My husband remained silent.
The following day, I walked into our room and was stunned to find a note that said, “You’re not a free teacher, and this isn’t a free house.” When I confronted my husband, he claimed that if I wanted to be paid for teaching his kids, then I should start paying rent since I live in his home. I refused and told him, “You own the house—it’s not like I’m a tenant.” He just smirked.
About a month later, I found out he had secretly dipped into my savings to hire private tutors for his children. When I confronted him, he admitted it and justified it by saying, “If you won’t help them, someone has to.” I felt deeply betrayed and manipulated, so I packed up and moved in with a friend. Now I keep asking myself—did I do the right thing, or was I wrong for not just helping from the start?