My mother secretly mortgaged my house to pay off my sister’s debts

Throughout my childhood, my environment was riddled with gambling, drinking, and various forms of lending, with few people holding regular jobs. As a child in this setting, I learned the ins and outs of gambling and underground financial activities. Recognizing this was no place for a student, I moved to Ho Chi Minh City for university against my parents’ wishes.

My parents, small business owners at the local market, and my younger siblings, who frequently gambled, faced constant financial trouble, forcing us to sell our home and evade creditors. Meanwhile, after university, I entered the business world and, through hard work and some luck, purchased several land plots in my hometown. But crisis struck repeatedly, and I found myself financially supporting my family, negotiating with creditors, and eventually buying a modest house for my parents in the countryside. I also provided them with a monthly allowance of VND10 million (US$399).

Despite past hardships, my parents demanded home renovations and additional rooms for my two siblings, which I resisted due to financial prudence.

Discussing my sister, she’s over 30 and has grown accustomed to a luxurious lifestyle. She has been unable to find stable work, only accumulating financial liabilities. Despite this, my mother persistently sought financial support for my sister’s unsuccessful business attempts, even though I highlighted the poor timing for business ventures. This behavior has deepened my disappointment with my parents.

The situation escalated when my sister incurred massive debts with loan sharks, leading to violent repercussions. Unbeknownst to me, my mother mortgaged the land plots I had purchased, aiming to cover my sister’s debts despite facing monthly interest payments close to VND30 million. This occurred because I could not handle the property titles during the pandemic, leading me to have the land registered in my mother’s name.

This betrayal came to light when I needed the titles for a business loan. My mother tearfully confessed, leaving me overwhelmed. Currently, my sister is working overseas and sends money to handle the interest payments, while my mother has requested that I increase her monthly allowance from VND10 million to VND15 million, citing her medical expenses.

Over the years, the total amount I’ve lent to my parents and paid on their behalf amounts to VND2-3 billion. So currently, I am gathering funds to recover the land titles and considering cutting ties with my family.

Am I failing in my duties as a child?