I'm going to try and keep this as brief as possible...
FIL left when DH was 6. In and out of his life. Alcoholic. Still DH remained loyal,always called his stepfather by his first name (not dad). Relationship got steadier as DH got into adulthood and he asked his dad to be his best man.
Since then FIL has had a disastrous failed marriage, lost his license to drink driving. Moved in with his parents. Parents (DH's grandparents) both became ill and FIL was their carer til they died
FIL then sent DH a photo of his great great grandfather who is the spit of DH.
FIL then went awol. Then started sending nasty abusive messages to DH. Sent our children Xmas presents as 'last contact', carried on being nasty. DH totally measured and calm, asked for no more gifts or we'd rturn then. He sent more, we returned them.
Then he started asking for the photo back, threatening to come round for it. DH didn't reply (hasn't replied to 95% of his messages as they are so unpleasant). Fil then apologised for everything, DH said it was ok but he needed to get help. Then he heard nothing.
No contact now for nearly 2 years. Now the emails have started again wanting the photo, totally weird one liner emails, really unhinged sounding.
Would u just give it back? He's genuinely torn.