And I don't know what to do about it.

About two weeks ago I found a document in my house that I wasn't supposed to find and it led me to emailing a man who I had no prior knowledge of but who was potentially my older step-brother. He responded and confirmed that he was my step-brother and that he has a younger brother, but both are in their late 30's while I'm only just turning 20.

I also learned that my father had physically abused my step-brother when he was a child. It seems my father had an affair with my step-brothers' mother, got a divorce, and then ran off to Florida with my mother, never to speak of or speak to my step-mother and her sons ever again. Sadly, my father passed away in 2003 and probably had never gotten in contact with them since he had left them. It's as if he wanted to forget the whole thing ever happened and wanted to start anew.

And now I don't have a clue as to what to do. I haven't told my mother that I've found out about all this. I don't know if I should stay in contact with my step-brothers because this is a startling revelation for me. I didn't know my father to be an abusive person nor someone who would do something like this. My whole view on him has been completely shattered and I don't know if I should refuse to believe it or accept it.

Its possible that you just emailed some random guy and he's messing with you. I wouldn't keep contact with them its probably impossible to confirm for sure who they are or if what they say is true.

Run some checks on it, confirm your father's name, backgrounds and ask your mother some stuff that could link you to their city and all.

You should also speak to somebody who's close to you IRL and have them see if they can help you.