My Father Bragged about Expensive Gifts He ‘Bought for Me’ but Doesn’t Even Pay Child Support – He Learned a Harsh Lesson

When Lexie’s mom surprises her with an expensive and meaningful graduation present, she is truly over the moon. Like any teenager, she takes to social media to talk about her gift and how grateful she is. But soon, Lexie’s absent father tries to claim that he bought her the elaborate gift. Soon, his lie begins to unravel punlicly…

My father was a ghost long before I even understood what it meant. He walked out on us when I was five, and I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve heard from him since. No birthdays, no calls, and not a dime of child support.

Nice, right?

A smiling little girl | Source: Midjourney

A smiling little girl | Source: Midjourney

But my mom? She’s been my everything. And it’s been the two of us against the world, and somehow, she has always made it work. And honestly, this woman has sacrificed so much to give me a shot at everything I’ve ever wanted to pursue. Out of all the things that I’ve wanted to try my hand at, music was my absolute love.

Music had always been my escape. Especially the piano. My mom had enrolled me in lessons when I was little, and from then on, I was just hooked. My dream was to compose my own music, but for me to do that I needed a professional-grade digital piano.

A little girl playing the piano | Source: Midjourney

A little girl playing the piano | Source: Midjourney

The problem?

Those things are expensive. Like proper, expensive.

And while mom and I weren’t living in poverty, we weren’t exactly rolling in cash, either. Being a single mom and a nurse, my mother went out of her way to ensure that I could keep playing. Recently she had started working extra shifts wherever possible, cutting corners where she could, just so that I could keep playing.

More than that, even though she came home exhausted, she never complained about the long hours or the money. My mom simply believed in me.

A smiling nurse | Source: Midjourney

A smiling nurse | Source: Midjourney

“Lexie,” she would say. “You’re just seventeen. And to have found something that you’re so passionate about at your age is amazing. Not to mention that you have real talent here, it’s not just a whim. You have a dream and you can get to it. I’ll do everything I can to help you achieve it.”

Fast forward to graduation.

A smiling teenage girl | Source: Midjourney

A smiling teenage girl | Source: Midjourney

I wasn’t expecting anything other than a cake, which was our tradition at the end of every school year. I knew how hard my mom worked just to keep everything going, and there was no way I’d want anything else from her.

“I’m serious, Mom,” I said one night over dinner. “I don’t want anything for graduation. I promise you, I understand the situation and I’m more than grateful for your support.”

“Oh, darling,” she said, giving me a spoonful of mashed potatoes. “I’m your mother, it’s my job.”

A bowl of mashed potatoes | Source: Midjourney

A bowl of mashed potatoes | Source: Midjourney

“I know, but I want you to know that I don’t expect anything,” I said.

We went to my graduation ceremony, and my mother bawled her eyes out when it was my turn to walk the stage.

“My darling girl,” my mother said after the ceremony as she enveloped me in a tight hug. “I am so proud of you!”

A teenager in her graduation gown and flowers | Source: Midjourney

A teenager in her graduation gown and flowers | Source: Midjourney

The real surprise came when I walked into our home that afternoon. There it was, my dream piano.

A high-end digital piano, complete with every feature that I needed to start composing. I couldn’t believe it. I actually cried.

It wasn’t about the piano itself, it was about how much my mother sacrificed for my dreams.

Naturally, I posted about it on social media because I was over the moon. I tagged my mom because she was the one who dreamed and inspired me. I wrote a long heartfelt caption about how she was truly the best mom in the world.

A keyboard with a pink bow | Source: Midjourney

A keyboard with a pink bow | Source: Midjourney

My post got tons of likes and comments, and honestly, I was just happy to share this moment with my mother. She deserved all the credit.

“Mom, I don’t know what to say,” I told her that evening as we sat outside on the porch together.

“Baby girl, I told you. I’m your mother, this is my job,” she said.

A mother and daughter duo sitting on a porch | Source: Midjourney

A mother and daughter duo sitting on a porch | Source: Midjourney

Then, a few days later, something weird happened.

I got a text from one of my dad’s old friends. He was someone I hadn’t heard from in years. He congratulated me on graduating and then casually mentioned how generous my dad was for buying me such an amazing gift.

My stomach dropped immediately.

“What?” I muttered.

A teenager holding her phone | Source: Midjourney

A teenager holding her phone | Source: Midjourney

At first, I thought that he must have been confused. But then I saw the post that made it all make sense.

My dad, the same man who hadn’t shown up for my graduation or acknowledged my existence in years, had re-posted my story on socials.

Onto his own page!

And of course, he captioned it like it was his moment. Like he had bought me the piano and had been the supportive dad all along.

A phone opened to social media | Source: Midjourney

A phone opened to social media | Source: Midjourney

So proud of little girl! I’ve always believed in your dreams. This is just the beginning!

I was shocked. The actual nerve of this man was insane.

I just stared at the screen in shock. This was a guy who hadn’t paid a cent in child support, who hadn’t called to check in. Even when I was twelve and I fell off a tree and had broken my arm? My mother had told him, but he didn’t bother to see me at the hospital or after.

“I just want him to sign my cast,” I remember telling my mother.

“I know, Lex,” my mother said, rubbing my arm. “But he doesn’t seem to care.”

A little girl with her arm in a cast | Source: Midjourney

A little girl with her arm in a cast | Source: Midjourney

So this? This was absurd.

“This man needs to pay child support,” I muttered.

But I didn’t know how to go about it. I didn’t want to embarrass him on socials because I couldn’t risk rocking the boat before those payments were settled.

Still, I was fuming inside, waiting for the day his lies would catch up to him.

A shocked girl | Source: Midjourney

A shocked girl | Source: Midjourney

Turns out, karma was already in motion.

About two weeks later, my mom and I went to a community event. It was one of those things where everyone in town shows up because it was a charity event to raise funds for the community theater.

At one point, we were chatting with a group of people, when a random guy came forward to talk to us. He started talking to my mom like they were old friends, and then he turned to me.

A crowd of people | Source: Midjourney

A crowd of people | Source: Midjourney

“Lexie!” he said excitedly. “I’m Ralph, I work with your dad! That’s how I recognized you, he’s been posting photos of you recently. He’s very proud. And that piano he got you for graduation? Wow! That was a real show of support, huh? You’re a lucky young lady.”

I felt my mom tense next to me. She didn’t even blink.

“Oh, you must be terribly mistaken, Ralph. My ex-husband hasn’t paid child support in years. He had nothing to do with the piano or any part of his daughter’s life, really.”

A smiling man | Source: Midjourney

A smiling man | Source: Midjourney

“Yeah, we’re looking at outstanding child support for about what, Mom? Thirteen years now?” I said.

The man’s face went from smug to confused.

“I’m sorry… what?” he said.

My mom didn’t let up though.

“The piano was a gift from me. I’ve been working extra hours to make sure that my daughter has everything she needs for her music career. Her father didn’t contribute at all.”

A frowning woman | Source: Midjourney

A frowning woman | Source: Midjourney

Poor Ralph just stood there, speechless.

It turns out that this man wasn’t just my dad’s coworker. He was my dad’s boss.

My dad had been spinning this tale for months, talking about how he was this amazing, supportive father who did everything for his daughter.

Well, not anymore.

A smiling man sitting in his office | Source: Midjourney

A smiling man sitting in his office | Source: Midjourney

The look on Ralph’s face told me everything that I needed to know: my father was done for. His lies had caught up with him.

Not long after, he was let go because Ralph said that he couldn’t trust him at all. He was also hit with years’ worth of payments he’d been dodging, and there was no escaping it.

The courts were involved now, and he had no choice but to pay up.

A close up of an angry man | Source: Midjourney

A close up of an angry man | Source: Midjourney

As for me?

I’ve been spending every spare minute on that piano, composing music that I know will make my mom proud. After all, she’s the one who’s always been there, the one who truly believed in me from day one. And soon, I’ll be going off to college to study music, too.

And my dad?

Well, he learned that pretending to be a parent is a lot harder than actually being one.

A teenager playing on a keyboard | Source: Midjourney

A teenager playing on a keyboard | Source: Midjourney

What would you have done?

If you enjoyed this story, here’s another one for you |

My Father Skipped My Graduation to Take His Stepson to the Zoo – I Taught Him a Good Lesson

When Michael’s father misses his graduation to take his stepson, Tommy, to the zoo, Michael wants to teach him a lesson. After years of being sidelined, Michael finally retaliates. He plans a graduation dinner with the intention to expose his father, but then, things take a turn…

As I watched my classmates hug their families on graduation day, the absence of my father, Henry, cast a long shadow on what should have been one of the happiest days of my life.

A graduation cap and degree | Source: Pexels

A graduation cap and degree | Source: Pexels

Ever since my parents’ divorce when I was ten, Dad had built a new life with Sandra and her young son, Tommy.

It was good—I wanted my father to be happy. He deserved it. Because as much as he and Mom tried, they just weren’t compatible anymore. I needed them to be apart so that they could co-exist for me.

A divorce agreement | Source: Pexels

A divorce agreement | Source: Pexels

But then, when Dad and Sandra got together, he entered a new chapter—one that seemed to include everyone but me.

Initially, things weren’t so bad, but as my father grew closer to Tommy, he began to play a bigger role in his life. He consistently missed the milestones that marked my childhood journey—my science fair victories, my soccer finals, even several birthdays.

A father carrying his son | Source: Pexels

A father carrying his son | Source: Pexels

Each absence was attributed to something involving Tommy—a school play, a baseball game, or just a day out—leaving me to celebrate or commiserate without him.

I met with my father a week before the graduation—we were having lunch at a diner, something that he still tried to keep going, even when his life got busy.

A tray of burger and fries | Source: Pexels

A tray of burger and fries | Source: Pexels

“I’ll be at your graduation, Michael,” my father said. “I’ll wear a suit and tie and be there, in the front row with your mom. This is a big moment in your life and I love you. Of course, I’ll be there.”

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

10 Sweet Stories of People Who Deserve a «Parent of the Year» Award

It’s heartwarming to hear about people who have amazing parents who support them with love and laughter, even as they grow older. Their stories can really touch your heart and make you appreciate your own loved ones even more.

  • Mom noticed Dad had red lipstick on his collar, but she didn’t confront him about it. A few days later, I discovered the foundation on his hand, which infuriated me. I confronted my dad, causing a big scene. He confessed that he was taking makeup classes, which only made my mom angrier.
    However, my dad proved he wasn’t cheating; he had been practicing makeup on himself. He demonstrated his skills, showing how well he could do it. He explained that with two daughters, one grown and one young, and another on the way, he wanted to be a good dad who could do anything for them.
  • At the age of 17, I suddenly realized that I didn’t fit the conventional standards of beauty among my peers. I faced ridicule for being red-haired, petite, and freckled. To hide my insecurities, I started covering my freckles with foundation, dyed my hair dark, and wore ill-fitting clothes. My dad noticed this change and gently probed to understand the reason behind it.
    Eventually, I broke down, cried, and poured out my heart to him. In response, he simply said, «So what if you’re petite, with short legs, and red-haired? These are just features! Look at how cute you are! Embrace who you are.» His words struck a chord within me, and I finally began to accept and love myself for who I am.
  • I stumbled upon a mysterious note tucked inside Dad’s wallet one day. Intrigued, I decided to investigate further. Days later, while rummaging through Dad’s briefcase, I discovered a hidden compartment containing another note and a small trinket. Confused and curious, I confronted Dad, demanding an explanation for these clandestine discoveries.
    To my surprise, Dad confessed that he had been leaving secret love notes and tokens of affection around the house for Mom as a romantic gesture. Initially taken aback, I couldn’t help but feel touched by Dad’s thoughtfulness and creativity. Witnessing this sweet gesture between my parents sparked a newfound appreciation for the depth of their love, showing me the power of small surprises in keeping the spark alive in a relationship.
  • Father returned from work, his expression serious as he approached my mom and me. He began, «Do you know who I just saw?!» We waited in anticipation as he continued, «I was walking in the dark, with only one lantern shining, when suddenly, a huge hare jumped out!» Mom and I exchanged surprised glances, only for Dad to pull out a large chocolate bar, saying, «So this bunny asked me to give you a chocolate bar!» Despite being 24 years old, I still fall for this joke about the bunny, as if I were still 6!
  • After finishing school, I accompanied my mother to enroll in university. I passed the exams and was accepted, with my mother’s help in securing a dorm room. Late in the evening, my mom left, leaving me with all the money except for enough for her ticket back home. Excited to start this new chapter of independence, I eagerly joined new friends for a night of celebration.
    What I didn’t know was that my mother missed the last bus and spent the entire night at the station, with only enough money for a ticket and a simple meal of tea and cookies. It wasn’t until 7 years later that I learned about her sacrifice, and I cried uncontrollably upon realizing her selflessness.
  • During a family camping trip, I mentioned how much I’d love to try fishing. Despite not being huge fans of fishing themselves, my parents set up all the gear and patiently showed me how to cast a line. Throughout the day, I struggled to catch anything, but they kept cheering me on with big smiles.
    Finally, I caught my first fish—a tiny trout—and their excitement was contagious. It wasn’t until much later that I realized they had given up their fun to make sure I had a chance to try fishing. Their selfless gesture showed me just how much they cared, leaving a lasting impression on my heart.
  • A week before my wedding, I discovered that my fiancé was cheating on me. Heartbroken, I turned to my mother for advice. While she sympathized with me, she urged me not to cancel the wedding. She reasoned that since everything was paid for, and I’d feel ashamed in front of relatives, it was best to go through with it for now, and later I could seek revenge and find peace. Reluctantly, I agreed.
    However, my wedding day turned out to be the worst day of my life. Just before the ceremony, my dad noticed my distress and pulled me aside for a chat. I broke down and confessed everything to him. Instead of scolding me, he hugged me tightly and said, «Your happiness is what matters most. We’ll handle this together.» With his support, I confronted my cheating fiancé, expressed my true feelings, and walked away with my dignity intact. As we left, my dad proudly said, «That’s my girl!» and added a few words of affection.
  • I remember my dad always getting really excited about very cheap, mundane foods like plain puffed rice cereal, bologna sandwiches, and unflavored steel-cut oats. He would get us all amped up about it, and we would want to eat it instead of the more expensive stuff we really wanted because of how much he talked it up. Now that I am older (and as a father myself), I don’t think he actually loved all these things that much. Instead, my parents just didn’t have the money to buy all that expensive food to feed three growing boys. © Rebelsoul3480 / Reddit
  • A friend’s 14-year-old daughter boldly requested money for a tattoo—right on her face. While her mom resorted to calming herbal drinks, the father and daughter engaged in a serious discussion about the matter. Eventually, they agreed to visit a tattoo artist over the weekend. «I’ll pay double,» declared the father, «but first, you’ll feel the needle without any ink.»
    During the appointment, the father discreetly instructed the artist to make the process as painful as possible. As the heart design began to take shape on her cheek, the daughter howled in agony—it hurt a lot. Despite the pain, they returned home that evening, all satisfied. It seems the father’s approach maintained a positive relationship with his daughter; after all, a stubborn refusal might have only led to more defiance.
  • I went to visit my parents, feeling tired and overwhelmed with problems from all sides—work, friends, and personal issues. My mom and dad immediately sensed my mood and set out to cheer me up. They made my favorite comfort foods: cutlets with mashed potatoes and cake with tea.
    Then, my father surprised me by borrowing a sled from a neighbor and taking me for a ride. For a couple of hours, all my worries melted away, and I felt like a child again—carefree and joyful. In those precious moments, I realized that no matter how old I am, I will always be my dad’s little daughter in his eyes.

We recommend reading a story of a woman who tried to warn her sister about her new boyfriend, but unfortunately, her sister didn’t take her advice. Now, she’s going through a tough divorce.

Preview photo credit jcomp / Freepik

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