Ex-Fiancé Demands The Family Heirloom Ring Back, Is She Being Entitled For Refusing?

When an ex-fiancé wants his engagement ring back after a breakup, the situation can get messy, especially when a woman continues to wear the ring.

One Redditor did just that, using the ring to avoid attention and wearing it to an engagement party where her ex and his girlfriend were present. The family thought it was strange, with his sister revealing that the ex had told them the ring was “lost.”

Her ex then demanded the ring back, but the Redditor refuses to return it, explaining that he had the chance to take it back years ago when they broke up. Is she being unreasonable, or is she within her rights to keep the ring? Keep reading to see how this story unfolds.

After her breakup, a woman continued wearing her engagement ring, leading to tension when her ex demanded it back

The original poster (OP) has continued to wear the engagement ring from her ex-fiance, which raises a number of questions surrounding closure, ownership, and respect for new relationships.

From OP’s perspective, the ring is a piece of her past that still holds sentimental value, and she might not see it as a symbol of attachment to her ex but rather a memory of a different time.

In certain circumstances, wearing an item with personal significance, especially when it’s tied to a past relationship, can be a way of holding onto something familiar or comforting. It seems that OP’s actions were not driven by malice or a desire to provoke; rather, she used the ring as a shield, perhaps to avoid unwanted attention.

It’s also notable that OP had worn the ring before without her ex objecting, which could suggest that she thought the item no longer held emotional significance for him.

However, the emotions and expectations of those around OP, particularly her ex and his girlfriend, seem to have complicated things. Her ex’s reaction, and the subsequent discomfort of his family, indicate that there is still some unresolved tension surrounding their breakup.

The fact that OP’s ex told his family the ring was lost adds another layer of complexity. If he had wanted it back, why didn’t he ask for it earlier? It seems there is some lingering bitterness or confusion around the breakup, which may explain why the ex now feels entitled to the ring.

As relationship expert Dr. Jennifer Finney, a counselor specializing in breakups and healing, explains, “The remnants of a past relationship, especially symbols like engagement rings, can carry emotional weight for both parties involved. When one person moves on, they may see those physical symbols as unnecessary reminders of the past, while the other may not be ready to part with them.”

This captures the emotional divide between OP and her ex. While OP may feel justified in keeping the ring, her ex sees it as a relic of an old relationship that might interfere with his new one. His girlfriend’s discomfort also speaks to the tensions between honoring past commitments and respecting new boundaries in a relationship.

Ultimately, this situation isn’t just about the ring itself. It’s about the unresolved emotional issues tied to the breakup and the boundaries that each person must navigate in the aftermath.

OP’s decision to keep the ring could be seen as a form of emotional independence, but to her ex, it may feel like an unnecessary attachment that hampers his ability to fully move on.

Is OP justified in wearing the ring, or should she have considered how it might affect her ex and his new partner? What are the emotional consequences of holding on to items from past relationships, and how can people navigate these situations with empathy and understanding?

Here’s how people reacted to the post:

This group criticized the OP for wearing the engagement ring at an event with her ex’s family

These commenters agreed that the OP should return the ring

This group pointed out the OP’s inconsistency in refusing to return the ring

Do you think OP should have given the ring back sooner, or is she right to hold on to it? How would you have handled this situation? Share your thoughts below!