Growing up in our family, my older brother could do no wrong. Whatever he wanted, my parents made sure he got it. When he decided to start an online trading business three years ago, my dad was his biggest cheerleader.
My dad even lent him S$15,000 from his retirement savings to help kick things start. I stayed out of it because it was their money. But last month, my brother's business hit a massive wall.
His suppliers cut him off and debts started piling up everywhere. Instead of telling him to scale down or find a regular job, my dad panicked. He called a sudden family meeting at our HDB flat.
That was when my dad turned his attention directly to me. He looked straight at me and said I needed to hand over my wedding fund immediately. I was stunned.
I have been saving up with my boyfriend for nearly four years to book our banquet venue next year. My wedding fund currently sits at S$12,000. My dad said my brother needed the cash urgently to settle his business loans, or else loan sharks might come knocking.
When I tried to refuse, my dad accused me of being unfilial and selfish. He said a wedding is just one day of empty show, whereas my brother's life and livelihood are at stake. My mother just sat there nodding along, whispering that family must always help family during hard times.
My brother did not even look embarrassed. He just sat there waiting for me to cave in like I always do. My boyfriend is furious and told me that if I give our wedding money away, we are calling off the banquet altogether.
But my dad is calling me every single day, threatening to disown me if I do not transfer the money by this weekend. I am completely torn between protecting my future marriage and obeying my own father.
Should I protect my wedding savings and cut ties with my family, or give up my future to save my brother from his own mess
What would you do if your partner hid something this important from you?
