I (45M) am a father of 3 but I also take care of my niece (17F) after her father passed away.

My wife (45F) and I have always treated her like family and we give her things equal to the others so that she doesn’t feel left out.

I honestly really care about her but financially I can’t support her all my life. When my eldest got married and moved away I had more money to spare so I was able to get her more things.

My daughter is now going away to university overseas so my niece was excited and came to my wife and I about universities she liked.

I told her it was great she was thinking of university and I said it would be good for to apply for scholarships now so it would be easier later. She laughed and asked why when her tuition would be paid for.

I told her that no I wouldn’t, I only had money to pay for my kids but I would help her out with basic necessities.

She was silent after that then went to her room. Apparently, she spoke to my father because he called me in a rage and said I was being cruel to her especially since my brother was always close to me when he was alive. I told him I just didn’t have that type of money saved and he said if I had cared for her I would’ve started saving as soon as I took her in.

My brother died very young so he didn’t have much saved and my niece’s mother’s side isn’t offering anything. I admit I could’ve told her earlier that I wouldn’t pay for her tuition but I didn’t.