I (25F) lost my mom a few months ago after a long battle with cancer. It’s been a tough time, and I’ve been leaning on my family for support, especially my brother, Mark (35M), who’s been the one I turned to the most.

After my mom passed, we started going through her things, sorting out what to keep and what to donate. I wasn’t expecting to keep everything, but there were a few sentimental items I wanted to preserve, her jewellery, some family photos, and a few of her old books. Mark and I had agreed that we would divide up her things fairly, and I trusted him to help with the process.

A week ago, I found out that Mark had been secretly selling some of my mom’s items without telling me. He sold several pieces of her jewellery to a pawn shop and even let some of her vintage furniture go for ridiculously low prices. I was heartbroken when I found out, especially because he’d promised me that nothing would be sold unless we both agreed on it.

When I confronted him about it, he tried to justify his actions, saying that he was “just trying to get some money for himself” and that he didn’t think I’d care about the items as much as he did. He told me that I was “making a big deal out of nothing” and that I should just let it go. I was furious and hurt beyond belief. He didn’t even ask me if I wanted to keep anything, and he had no right to make decisions about my mom’s belongings without me.

I told him that I didn’t want anything to do with him anymore and cut him out of my life for the time being. He’s been trying to contact me, apologising, and saying he didn’t mean to hurt me, but I just can’t shake the feeling that he took advantage of my grief.

I haven’t told anyone else in the family yet, and I’m worried they’ll think I’m overreacting or that I should have “been the bigger person.” My friends think I did the right thing, but I’m still conflicted.

So, AITA for cutting off my brother after what he did?