September 11, 2025 at 4:23 pm

His Ex-Wife Had An Accident And Needed To Go To The Emergency Room, But He Didn’t Want To Take Her

by Matthew Gilligan

man arguing with his wife

Shutterstock/Reddit

These two sound T-O-X-I-C together.

And it’s pretty obvious why they got a divorce…

But back to the story: is this guy a jerk for how he reacted when his wife wanted him to take her to an emergency room?

Read on and see what you think!

AITA for refusing to take my ex-wife to the ER?

“This incident occurred a decade ago, but recently came up in conversation with my oldest son, who was 7 at the time.

While I believed I was justified in the moment, over the years I have come to the conclusion that I am not proud of my actions that day.

My son maintains that I did the right thing.

He went through a tough time.

Six months prior to the incident, my wife and I had agreed to divorce after her extra-marital activities came to light. We agreed on everything except who would keep the house. I told her that unless she took over the mortgage and utilities that I would not be leaving.

Two months prior, when it was evident that I was staying put, she made a play to remove me from the home, and had me served with a 2-week TRO.

Caught off guard, I rented a room with a coworker in the neighborhood and hired a lawyer.

I followed all the rules, went to court, answered all of the judge’s questions, and the TRO was revoked.

It was getting ugly…

After 3 weeks I was back in my house and she was angrier than ever.

I’m including this background only because it explains my combative state of mind during the event.

Two weeks prior, I took my kids out of state to visit family for Christmas and New Years. I asked Amy, my soon-to-be-ex-wife, to shovel the walk and porch stairs while we were away.

She didn’t, and upon our return there was 2 inches of ice on the stairs and sidewalk.

The day after we returned, Amy had arranged to meet up with a CraigsLister to buy a piece of furniture for the house she had rented.

She was going with her friend Lisa, who had also set up a CL purchase of her own.

Doh!

When Lisa pulled into the driveway, Amy hurriedly ran out the door, slipped on the icy porch steps, and landed on a ceramic planter, cutting her hand open.

It wasn’t a life or death situation, but there was blood and she did need stitches. She came back in, freaking out.

I told her to go wrap it up and have Lisa take her to the ER.

Meanwhile, Lisa had come up to the door to see what the commotion was about.

I told Lisa that she needed to take Amy to the ER.

Ummm, no.

Lisa said she wasn’t going to blow off her CL meetup, and that I should take her.

I said that ER visits weren’t part of my role any more. Lisa accused me of acting abusively.

I sarcastically asked her why she would want to leave her friend dependent on her abuser.

Ultimately, Lisa left for her meetup, and I packed up the kids and dropped off Amy at the ER. I let her find her own way home.

If you had asked me the next day, I would have said I acted righteously and that Lisa should have stepped up for her friend.

With the clarity of time, I feel that I should have swallowed my pride and better demonstrated for my kids how a father should act.

AITA?”

Reddit users shared their thoughts.

This person weighed in.

Screenshot 2025 08 08 at 6.14.49 PM His Ex Wife Had An Accident And Needed To Go To The Emergency Room, But He Didnt Want To Take Her

Another individual spoke up.

Screenshot 2025 08 08 at 6.14.56 PM His Ex Wife Had An Accident And Needed To Go To The Emergency Room, But He Didnt Want To Take Her

This Reddit user said he’s NTA.

Screenshot 2025 08 08 at 6.15.03 PM His Ex Wife Had An Accident And Needed To Go To The Emergency Room, But He Didnt Want To Take Her

Another person shared their thoughts.

Screenshot 2025 08 08 at 6.15.15 PM His Ex Wife Had An Accident And Needed To Go To The Emergency Room, But He Didnt Want To Take Her

And this reader chimed in.

Screenshot 2025 08 08 at 6.15.34 PM His Ex Wife Had An Accident And Needed To Go To The Emergency Room, But He Didnt Want To Take Her

It sounds like these two shouldn’t be spending any time together…EVER.

They were right to go their separate ways.

If you enjoyed that story, read this one about a mom who was forced to bring her three kids with her to apply for government benefits, but ended up getting the job of her dreams.