'I just found out my coworker is my cousin': Employee uncovers family secret, debates whether or not she should tell the whole family

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Jun 11, 2023 2:00 PM EDT

Talk about office drama! Not everyone necessarily admits it, but we all enjoy a little workplace gossip. This revelation, however, has got to be an all-timer. This Redditor discovered that her coworker Ruby, who thankfully is someone she actually likes, is her cousin. 

 

This thread was posted to Reddit's r/TrueOffMyChest subreddit by u/Bannanna_La, who learned that her aunt had an affair when she was living in another state for work. That affair resulted in a child (Ruby). Ironically, OP later reveals in the comments section below that her uncle also had an affair, and the two ended up divorcing but to her knowledge, no one in the family knows about Ruby. Ruby is aware that her mother was married and, in fact, hadn't seen her since she was five years old. Now, OP is debating whether or not to spill the beans. 

 

Keep scrolling below to see what many folks in the comments suggested OP should do. For more stories like this, here is one about a welder who destroyed her fiancé's engagement ring.

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  • 01
    Shirt - "I just found out my Coworker is my cousin"
    via linkedinsalesnavigator
  • 02
    Font - I just found out my coworker is my cousin and that my Aunt has a secret affair child. I (21F) just found out that my coworker Ruby (18F) is actually my cousin and I'm stunned! The world is small.
    via u/Bannanna_La
  • 03
    Font - My Aunt got divorced from my Uncle some years back but I don't think anyone knows about this at all. I mean I have cousins who don't even know yet and I don't think her husband knew either.
    via u/Bannanna_La
  • 04
    Font - When my Aunt was in another state for work and married, she had a whole entire relationship on the side had a baby and basically left.
    via u/Bannanna_La
  • 05
    Font - What I heard from my friend/coworker and now cousin, she's seen her sometimes and was around for a little while when she was a kid and haven't seen her again since she was 5.
    via u/Bannanna_La
  • 06
    Font - The only way I found out was looking at her home-screen at a Christmas picture and I said hey how do you know that women in the photo that's when she explained. Ruby and her dad actually knew that her mom had another family.
    via u/Bannanna_La
  • 07
    Font - My other cousins and her ex husband don't know about Ruby though! I don't know if I should tell my cousins about this.
    via u/Bannanna_La
  • 08
    Font - Born-Inspector-127. 23 hr. ago 23and me has made this keep quiet bs redundant. Tell your family in a family group chat. Give the family that cares a chance to know the cousin and expose your aunts bs. Technology has made privacy and keeping quiet a dream for the stupid. 952 Reply Share
    via u/Bannanna_La
  • 09
    Font - sorrym1ssjackson. 19 hr. ago Yep. My mom heard stories growing up about a supposed half sister she had out there somewhere. One year she did a 23 and me and found her right away. 250 Reply Share
    via u/Bannanna_La
  • 10
    Font - WoodedSpys 19 hr. ago Do NOT tell your family first, tell her and ask if she wants to be involved and what you know about her mom. You are about to turn her whole life upside down, do what she is comfortable with and do not force other relatives on to her. Wait for her to be ready. 323 Reply Share
    via u/Bannanna_La
  • 11
    Font - LarkScarlett 8 hr. ago Absolutely; this needs to be Ruby's call as to whether you spill the beans on a whole- family scale; or you put her in contact with specific people that you think would be receptive/kind, or whatever. Whatever happens, she needs to feel prepared.
    via u/Bannanna_La
  • 12
    Font - ladyofhousepounce · 20 hr. ago I too found out a coworker was my cousin. My uncle had a baby with a woman before I was born and gave up his rights. My cousin (secret baby's half sister) told me when I was like 18-19 years old. Fast forward to May 2019, I am sitting at my desk and work and my coworker says that he thinks we are related. I ask how and he said that his bio father on his birth certificate is John Smith (my uncle). Cue my brain exploding and everything connecting. He looks lik
    via u/Bannanna_La
  • 13
    Font - laughter_corgis - 22 hr. ago Does Ruby want to meet more family? If so I do a family chat. Also has your Aunt given her medical records. 173 Reply Share
    via u/Bannanna_La
  • 14
    Font - Dresden_Mouse 23 hr. ago . They are already divorced right? Was for cheating? If yes there's little hurt to her image, but that girl deserves to know at least the half siblings, maybe she should simply add them in FB and see how it goes. 92 Reply Share Bannanna_La OP. 17 hr. ago The ironic thing is that my uncle cheated on her, and got another women pregnant. So he left my aunt for his mistress.
    via u/Bannanna_La
  • 15
    Font - Signal_Historian_456. 21 hr. ago Oh, I'd say talk to Ruby if she wants contact with the rest of the family, and if she wants, organise a family BBQ and invite your aunt and cousins too.
    via u/Bannanna_La
  • 16
    Font - mack4242 22 hr. ago Let Ruby take the lead as she is perhaps the most aggrieved party in all this, and it might be good for someone who has had little control to have all the control now. Unless you like the aunt then best to give her a heads up.
    via u/Bannanna_La
  • 17
    Smile - da for Creepy_Structure199 20 hr. ago Workplace gossip just got good
    via u/Bannanna_La
  • 18
    Font - maniacal_red 18 hr. ago If Ruby is up to it I'd say take a photo at work with your new cousin post it with non descript work bff caption and watch your aunt contort herself to bring said photo up next time you see her.
    via u/Bannanna_La

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family drama marriage coworkers cheating confession divorce family reddit thread Reddit cousin
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