My Brother’s Behavior Toward My Girlfriend at a Wedding Went Too Far

My mom was babbling about how perfect everything was, how Samuel had finally found a good Christian woman who understood him, and how they were all so happy until last week. Last Thursday, Rachel’s coworker called the police after Rachel missed 3 days of work.

When officers did a welfare check, they found Rachel with severe injuries. She had two broken ribs, a fractured wrist, and bruises all over her body.

But here’s the part that really got me: when the police investigated, they discovered that my dad had been helping Samuel cover up the abuse for months. Rachel finally broke down and told the police everything.

Samuel had started hitting her just two months into their marriage. Every time she threatened to leave or tell someone, my dad would step in using his connections in the real estate business to pressure Rachel’s family about their mortgage or threatening to get her fired from her job at one of his friends’ companies.

He even convinced Rachel’s parents that she was mentally unstable and making up stories about Samuel, using the same tactics they used against Victoria. The final incident happened because Rachel got a promotion at work that would have given her financial independence.

Samuel completely lost it and beat her so badly she couldn’t go to work.

“To put some ice on it and remember her wedding vows.”

When she called my dad for help, he told her. That’s when her coworker got involved and called the police.

Both Samuel and my dad were arrested; Samuel for domestic violence and my dad for witness intimidation and conspiracy.

Mom wanted me to come back and help deal with everything.

“That family needs to stick together in times of crisis that Samuel and dad needed my support and that Rachel was obviously exaggerating things just like Victoria had.”

She kept saying. I lost it.

I told her exactly how I felt about her enabling Samuel’s behavior for his entire life. I reminded her of what they did to Victoria, how they chose to support Samuel even after watching him assault her at Holly’s wedding.

I asked her if she ever once considered that if they had gotten Samuel help when he was younger or held him accountable for his actions, maybe Rachel wouldn’t be in the hospital right now. Mom broke down completely, saying she realizes now that they should have done something sooner.

She admitted that she and Dad had always known Samuel had problems, but they thought they were protecting him by covering everything up. Too little, too late.

I hung up and blocked her new number.

Holly called me later to fill in some details she had heard from family. Apparently, Rachel’s parents are devastated and feel horrible about not believing her sooner.

They’re fully supporting her pressing charges against both Samuel and my dad. The police are also investigating other potential victims, as several of Samuel’s ex-girlfriends have come forward with similar stories of abuse and stalking.

Victoria suggested we reach out to Rachel through Holly to offer support if she needs it, which we probably will. Victoria pointed out that she was lucky to have support when she dealt with Samuel and Rachel might need someone who understands what she’s going through.

Some people might think I’m being cold toward my parents, but I’ve learned that enabling toxic behavior only leads to more victims. My family had countless chances to change and chose not to.

Now they can deal with the consequences of their choices without my help. My job is to protect my own family now: my wife, our unborn daughter, and the peaceful life we’ve built far away from their toxicity.

Update 4: A lot of people have been messaging me asking for an update about the situation with Samuel, my dad, and Rachel. So here’s what’s happened in the last 6 months.

First, the good news from my side: Victoria and I welcomed our daughter Emma 3 months ago. She’s perfectly healthy and absolutely beautiful.

Being parents has been amazing, and it’s made us even more certain that cutting contact with my toxic family was the right choice. Holly and her husband came to visit last month to meet Emma, and watching them with her just reinforced what real family love looks like.

Now for the updates about Samuel and my dad’s case. Holly has been keeping us informed since she’s still in contact with extended family.

Samuel took a plea deal last month. He’s getting eight years in prison for aggravated domestic violence, with the possibility of parole after 5 years.