You would think by now that people would have learned that reading people’s private thoughts in front of others is an awful thing to do.

This couple thought it would be amusing, but the brother who wrote the journal decided to get revenge, instead.

Their “joke” quickly became not so funny to everyone – including the people who started it.

Check out the details and pick a side!

AITAH for reading a hurtful journal entry about my sister-in-law after my brother and his wife read my private journals?

Growing up, I (32M) used to journal.

To my knowledge, no one knew about it or read the heartfelt thoughts I recorded, and if they did, they never disclosed that my privacy had been breached.

Journaling became a source of comfort, so I continued well into my teenage years.

As a male, I felt a bit self-conscious about it, so I used to hide this fact.

This is where things get bumpy…

My parents are moving, and since they’ve had this house since my childhood, there’s a lot of packing, organizing, and decluttering to do.

As they’re older, they need some help, so my brother (39M) and I came over to assist.

While helping them, I found my brother and his wife (38F) huddled together, snickering as they read through a journal.

He sensed what was about to come.

It was just a regular composition book, but instinctively I knew it was one of my “special” journals by their stupid giggles.

So I asked, ‘isn’t that mine?’ As I walked over.

I didn’t know exactly what they were reading, but I knew it was obviously personal and none of their business.

I told my brother to give it back, and when I reached for it, he told me to chill and snatched it back.

We ended up wrestling over the book, causing enough commotion for my parents to come and see/ask what was going on.

They were being mean to him…

He says something like, “You guys HAVE to hear this,” and starts reading the entry out loud.

His wife is outright laughing, and he’s struggling to read full sentences without breaking into laughter.

The memory of what they’re reading comes flooding back, and I feel a wave of huge embarrassment.

I was fifteen at the time, and my twenty two year old brother had just started dating a girl (his now wife) who I thought was hot and way out of his league.

He wanted to take his revenge!

That journal, without exaggeration, is nearly two decades old and yet they were getting a real kick out of themselves, exchanging comments to my detriment & wanting to take pictures of the page.

My annoyance turned to irritation.

Yes, she was attractive, but within two years of their relationship, I realized she was ugly inside.

I still feel the same way today.

He had an honest opinion of her.

I vividly remember writing something harsh about her in one of my journals when I was 18.

It stands out because it happened right after my grandmother passed away, and her behavior during our time of mourning felt selfish and insensitive.

She’s still that kind of person.

So, I retrieved the journal that contained that particular passage & read it aloud, too.

I’ll admit what I wrote was mean and about how negatively I perceived her character.

He spoke facts!

I told them everything written was my most up to date view of her, as nothing has changed about them.

I truly find them insufferable and unpleasant people.

Things went quiet, and then my brother acted like he wanted to fight me.

They eventually left.

Now, days later, my brother is blaming me for triggering her depression, which I didn’t even know she struggled with.

He says she’s been questioning her character, and my words are really getting to her.

He knew how to snap back!

I reminded him of the passage I wrote when I was 15, the one they read aloud and found so amusing, and suggested he refer back to that if he wants to cheer her up.

He’s telling anyone who will listen that I unnecessarily hurt his wife’s feelings and that I’m an AH. AITA?

Who would have thought secret diaries could cause so much trouble?

You know, except everyone.

Let’s find out what folks on Reddit think about this one!

This user knows this man was right in his teenage years.

This person got satisfied with the revenge!

That’s right! This person knows the reality of the SIL.

This user knows the girl brought it upon herself.

This person knows they got what they deserved.

The hatred for this brother and his wife is mutual.

Leave people’s journals and diaries alone, people.

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