I Slept with My Husband’s Brother Because He Was ‘Just a Teacher.’ AITA?
This story is a full-blown emotional car crash. We’ve got a wife who was unhappy with her husband’s “low-earning” teaching career, made him sleep on the couch, and eventually cheated on him with his own brother. Oof. And not just any brother—his rich, successful, condo-living brother who seemed to have everything she felt her husband lacked.
The affair led to a brutal divorce where she lost everything. House? Gone. Job? Gone. Reputation? Trashed. Her ex ended up with the house—and now, in a jaw-dropping twist, his brother bought that same house and invited him to live there rent-free as a form of apology. The two are rebuilding their relationship while she spirals into isolation and regret, living in a tiny apartment, eating ramen, and watching their lives get better without her.
She’s wondering now: Am I the worst person alive? Or did I just want more than what I had?
Why Choosing Money Over Loyalty Destroyed Her—and the Real Cost of Marrying for Status
Alright, let’s break this one down. Because it’s not just about cheating. It’s about ambition, emotional neglect, societal pressure, betrayal—and how chasing status over love can leave you with nothing.
🎓 “Just a Teacher” – Why We Devalue One of the Most Important Jobs
Let’s start here. Teaching is one of the most emotionally demanding, underpaid, and underappreciated professions out there. But in a world obsessed with wealth and status, people still treat teachers like they’re less-than—despite molding the next generation.
In the U.S., the average public school teacher salary hovers around $61,000, but in some areas it’s as low as $40k. Meanwhile, tech bros, consultants, and finance guys often make six figures by 30. So yeah, there’s a prestige gap—and sadly, some people, like OP (original poster), internalize that status difference to the point where they start feeling embarrassed by their spouse’s job.
But here’s the truth: financial success doesn’t always equal personal worth. And the fact that OP made her husband sleep on the couch for not making enough money says more about her values than his paycheck ever could.
💰 When You Marry for Ambition, You’re Always Chasing
Let’s be real—OP wasn’t looking for love at this point. She was looking for a lifestyle. Enter the rich brother: flashy, successful, and everything her husband wasn’t. But here’s what often happens in relationships based on ambition:
- You get the thrill at first.
- Then the reality sets in.
- Then guilt. Shame. Regret.
It’s why so many affairs implode after the high wears off. A 2022 study from Psychology Today showed that only 4% of relationships that start from infidelity last longer than a year. Most of them end in disaster—like this one.
So yeah, she thought she was upgrading. But all she did was trade a loyal husband for a temporary thrill—and burned every bridge in the process.
🧑⚖️ Divorce and Adultery: Why Cheaters Often Lose Everything
OP seemed surprised she didn’t get the house, even though she paid “most of the mortgage.” But when infidelity enters a divorce case, the courts look at fault. And if there’s proof of cheating? Especially with a family member?
Yikes.
Many states in the U.S. have “marital misconduct” clauses where adultery can significantly impact asset division, alimony, and even custody if kids are involved. In her case, the judge saw her betrayal and rewarded the more stable, loyal partner: her husband.
And she didn’t just lose the house. She lost her job. Her friends. Her family’s respect. The consequences weren’t just financial—they were social.
🧠 The Rich Brother’s Redemption Arc: Guilt, Therapy, and Rebuilding Trust
This part hits hard. The brother—the guy who helped blow up his sibling’s marriage—realized just how badly he messed up. And instead of doubling down or disappearing, he did something rare:
- He cut ties with OP.
- He went to therapy.
- And he bought back the house and let his brother move in.
That’s huge. It’s also a testament to how guilt and remorse can push people to seek redemption. He’s trying to fix what he broke—not for OP, but for his brother. Because family betrayal cuts deeper than almost anything.
And now, these two men—once torn apart by a woman’s choices—are healing. Together. While she watches from the sidelines.
🥄 Eating Ramen Alone: The Loneliness of Regret
Fast forward to today. OP’s sitting in a studio apartment, unemployed, scrolling social media, watching her ex build a life without her. He’s dating a new woman. Going back to school. Smiling in photos. His brother is flipping burgers at their backyard BBQ. They’ve rebuilt their bond.
And OP? She’s stuck in a cycle of shame, guilt, and isolation.
This is the thing no one talks about with cheating. The long-term loneliness. Not just losing the partner—but the family, the friends, the reputation. The ripple effect is brutal. And you can’t sue your way out of it, even if you try. (Yes, the lawsuit idea was wild.)
🙏 Can She Ever Redeem Herself?
Let’s be honest. Sleeping with your husband’s brother is one of the top-tier betrayals. It’s not just cheating—it’s shattering trust between two people who grew up together.
But does that mean she’s the “worst person alive”? Maybe not. Just a deeply flawed one who made selfish choices. Can she earn forgiveness? Maybe. But not through grand gestures or desperate apologies. Only through actual change.
- Owning her actions.
- Getting therapy.
- Rebuilding herself.
- And never expecting anyone else to fix it for her.
Forgiveness isn’t guaranteed. And she may never get it. But she can stop making it worse.
Verdict: AITA?
Yeah. You are. 100% the asshole.
Not for being unhappy. Not even for being ambitious. But for the way you handled it. You belittled a man who dedicated his life to shaping young minds. You punished him for following his passion. Then you blew up your marriage with his brother. And when it all fell apart, you tried to sue him for the consequences of your own decisions.
But here’s the twist: you’re not irredeemable. You’re just not there yet. You can grow. You can heal. But first, you gotta stop blaming everyone else.