Throughout our lives, the deceptions and betrayals we encounter help shape us, making us stronger and wiser, even if it doesn’t feel that way at first. In this article, we share stories of people who faced shocks from close ones or unexpected situations. Instead of letting it stop them, they rose above and shared their stories online.
Story 1
We rent our flat at a low price because the 80-year-old woman next door is quite troublesome. She starts making loud noises at 4 a.m. to upset the neighbors. A young man came to rent our flat. We told him about her, and he just smiled.
After a year, we were surprised he was still living there—no one had lasted more than eight weeks before. Then, the elderly woman passed away. They put her house up for sale right away, so we decided to take a look inside.
We were horrified to find a photo on her nightstand of herself hugging the man who was renting our flat. After investigating, we found out he was her grandson, and she had deliberately chased all our renters away so he could live cheaply. He disappeared a few days after her death, and we couldn’t do anything about it.
Story 2
My best friend became very sick, and several others and I dropped everything to take care of him. I even left my dream job to help with his recovery.
Once he got better, he threw us all under the bus. He acted like we existed solely to support him and expected us to follow his every whim. Eventually, he ghosted the whole group. © Unknown author / Reddit
Story 3
I took my boyfriend to a friend’s wedding. He started cheating on me with a girl from the wedding who sat at our table. I didn’t find out for a few months. It turned out I was paying for his train tickets to visit her. © R**hampolicy / Reddit
Story 4
I had a very good friend of seven years tell me she needed help paying her rent because she lost her job. I lent her a fair amount of money, only to find out a month or two later that she was partying on yachts in Spain. We live in the US. A friend showed me her Instagram posts when I told him about the situation. © FrenchBowler / Reddit
Story 5
I told one of my friends I had a crush on someone at school. She gave my number to her friends, who pretended to be my crush and sent me love messages, laughing behind my back. © savageexplosive / Reddit
Story 6
A new hire was brought into a former job. My close friend, who was also my supervisor, and I were told she wasn’t replacing us but would help manage the heavy workload. We were instructed to train her, which we did gradually.
Then my friend’s pay and responsibilities were cut, and sometimes my pay was withheld entirely. We realized she was replacing us, and we both left. © hunter15991 / Reddit
Story 7
In 7th grade, I had two “friends.” Once, while walking toward them in the library, I saw one nod at the other and point at me. Then the other one looked at me and rolled his eyes.
I was far enough away that they likely thought I couldn’t see them. I ended the “friendship” shortly afterward. © Unknown author / Reddit
Story 8
I keep trying to be nice to my roommate’s teenage daughter. She’s awkward and seems lonely because her parents work late. But every time I reach out to her, she lies about me.
This has happened about five times in three years. I’m astonished by her betrayal. She acts nice and innocent, but my friend Sanford says, “You’re the idiot for falling for it.” He’s right. © moonkittiecat / Reddit
Story 9
When I was 17, my dad died, and my stepmom put everything I owned in trash bags on the curb, changed the locks, and kept every picture I had of my dad and me. © faileybee / Reddit
Story 10
My teacher told me I might need to go to another school because my grades were so bad. I had three grades below the required level, while you’re only allowed one. I worked hard and got my average up to 8.0. The teacher was still not satisfied.
The “popular girl” had six grades below requirements. She retook a critical test three times and failed all three. The teacher told her not to worry and that everything would be fine. © mike-wkp / Reddit
Story 11
My best friend, or ex-best friend, started dating a guy I was talking to. She left me out and spoke badly about me. The guy was also a close friend of mine. I had feelings for both of them, but I was talking to the guy first.
They blamed me for their relationship issues. I struggled to get over it. When I finally moved on, she ruined my new relationship by telling the girl I started talking to that I was a cheater. © fitzgeraldresumes / Reddit
Story 12
Some kids at school liked how I played basketball and praised me. But soon afterward, they told me I couldn’t play with them anymore. I guess I was just too good for them. © Unknown author / Reddit
Story 13
I was lied to and cheated on for six months. When I confronted her about my suspicions, she gaslighted me and said I was overreacting. My heart and trust were broken for years. © Negation_ / Reddit
Story 14
My girlfriend told me she’d never replace me with one of our mutual friends. I believed her because she seemed sincere, even though I noticed she was losing interest in me.
She broke up with me, saying she no longer felt the same way about me. My friend who worked with her said he couldn’t believe how nonchalantly she acted the same day she dumped me. © bartekbf10 / Reddit
