My 18-year-old daughter, Serena, had fallen in love with a 60-year-old man. She was planning to marry him, despite my protests. She was convinced she was madly in love with him. But when I dug deeper, I uncovered a chilling truth that changed everything.
The sun was starting to set as I sifted through the usual pile of mail. The doorbell rang, and I knew it was Serena coming home early from her part-time job. Her presence always filled the house with energy, like a burst of sunshine. She walked in, the smell of vanilla lingering with her.
“Hey, Dad! You won’t believe what happened with my roommate, Jessica…” she began, but she stopped when she noticed something was off. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah, everything’s fine,” I said, trying to sound calm, though I could feel my heart pounding. “Come in, honey.”
“So, you were saying?” I prompted.
Serena looked at me with excitement in her eyes. “I met someone, Dad. His name’s Edison. He’s amazing—so caring, so kind. We want to get married.” She paused, her eyes searching mine for a reaction. “But… he’s sixty.”
The word “sixty” hit me like a slap in the face. My 18-year-old daughter, with a man nearly three times her age? It didn’t make sense. “Sixty, Serena? Are you sure about this?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. “Don’t you see the problem?”
She shook her head, her face filled with determination. “Age doesn’t matter when you love someone, Dad. Edison makes me feel seen, cared for. Please, just meet him. I’m sure you’ll like him.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, but I loved my daughter, and I couldn’t say no. “Okay, fine. I’ll meet him.”
The next night, I went to Edison’s house to meet him. I was already on edge, but I tried to stay calm. When I needed a moment to myself, I stepped out onto the balcony. That’s when I overheard a conversation that made my stomach drop.
“Annie, come on. I’m your brother. This is just a little fun,” Edison’s voice was smooth, almost too smooth. “A harmless way to make some extra cash.”
“This is reckless, Edison,” a woman’s voice replied, sharp and disapproving. “You’re toying with that girl’s emotions for your own gain.”
My heart stopped. Was Edison playing my daughter for money? I couldn’t believe it.
“What are you talking about?” Edison snapped.
“The bet, Edison. You think marrying a naïve girl will clear your debts?” the woman—Annie, I guessed—chided him.
My blood ran cold. Edison was using my daughter as part of a bet to solve his financial problems. Furious, I rushed inside and found Serena. “Serena, listen to me. It’s all a game to him. You’re just a way for him to make money.”
“Dad, what are you talking about?” Serena was clearly confused at first, but her face quickly shifted to shock as I explained.
“He’s lying to you, Serena! He doesn’t love you—he’s using you!”
But Serena wasn’t listening. “You’re just jealous! You never liked Edison! You don’t even know him!” Her voice shook with anger. “You were never around when Mom passed. You were always working. I didn’t need nannies or expensive schools, Dad. I needed you.”
Her words hurt more than I expected, but I couldn’t let it distract me. I had to protect her from Edison’s lies.
At that moment, Edison entered the room. My anger reached a boiling point. I couldn’t hold back any longer. I stormed up to him and punched him in the face. “Stay away from my daughter, you creep!”
But Serena wasn’t having it. “Stop, Dad! It’s my life, not yours!” she yelled, shoving me away.
Heartbroken and defeated, I left. I had to find another way to show Serena the truth. I called up a friend of mine who was a private investigator. A few days later, he gave me a detailed report on Edison’s past—his failed business ventures, his gambling addiction, and the wreckage he’d caused.
One name stood out—Duke R., Edison’s former business partner, left in the dust because of Edison’s reckless actions. The report mentioned that Duke frequented a diner called Le Beans Café, just outside of town. I knew what I had to do next.
I met Duke at the café. He was worn down, but he was eager to help. He agreed to tell me everything about Edison’s gambling issues in the hope that it would save my daughter from him.
Armed with this information, I knew it was time for action. I went to Edison’s favorite casino, posing as a wealthy man named Parker from Texas. I walked up to his table and sat down with confidence. “Feeling lucky tonight, Edison?” I asked.
Edison welcomed me, but I could tell he was nervous. I played my cards right and won with a royal flush, making sure to keep my cool. Edison tried to brush it off, but I could see his discomfort. I leaned in and smiled slowly. “Surprised to see me?”
Edison’s face drained of color. “Billy? What is this about?” he stammered.
“This is about Serena,” I said, my tone cold and firm. “Leave her alone, and we’re square. Or, you can settle your debts right here, right now, in cash.”
He hesitated but finally agreed. “Fine, I’ll stay away from her.”
I left the casino, feeling like I’d won, but something still didn’t sit right with me. Edison had given in too easily. I was worried that this wasn’t over.
The next morning, I tried to reach Serena, but she wouldn’t answer my calls. Desperation led me to call her friend, Sarah. When she told me about Serena’s engagement party with Edison, my heart sank.
“Engagement party?” I asked, shocked. “With Edison?”
“Yeah, didn’t she tell you? It’s at The Grand Springs, starting at eight,” Sarah replied cheerfully.
I rushed to The Grand Springs, my heart racing with anger. There, Serena looked radiant, her eyes full of happiness as she stood by Edison, who was charming the guests. My blood boiled. I couldn’t let this continue.
I pulled Edison aside, away from the party. “We need to talk,” I said, my voice low and menacing.
“During the party?” Edison smirked, clearly unfazed. I wasn’t going to let him win. I dragged him to a quiet bathroom.
“You think you can just take my daughter’s life?” I hissed, pressing him against the wall.
“She loves me,” Edison sneered. “And your dirty little secrets? I could destroy you with them.”
I gritted my teeth. “But you won’t get her. Not on my watch.”
He leaned in, his voice a whisper of menace. “Two minutes, Thompson. Then I call security. You think you can stop this? She loves me. She wants me. If you lay a finger on me, I’ll make sure she never speaks to you again. Is that what you want?”
He was right. Serena was already against me. I couldn’t afford to lose her forever.
Defeated, I stepped outside, feeling the weight of my failure. The bright city lights seemed to mock me. I sat down on a bench, burying my face in my hands.
Then, I heard a cough. I looked up and saw a woman standing there. She was tall with gray hair and a gentle presence. “You’re Mr. Thompson, right?” she asked softly.
“Annie? Edison’s sister?” I was surprised to recognize her.
She nodded with a small smile. “Yes, we’ve met before. You were at Edison’s when you tried to warn Serena.”
I quickly told her everything—how Edison was tricking Serena. She listened carefully, her face growing more serious with each word. “That conniving weasel,” she muttered. “He’s ruined everything. Our inheritance, my savings… gone.”
“We could stop him,” I said, hoping she might want to help.
Annie looked at me thoughtfully. “What do you have in mind?”
I told her my plan, even offering her money to help. She agreed to join me, and together, we set the stage for the wedding.
The moment Edison put the ring on Serena’s finger, a young woman stood up and shouted, “He’s a liar!” More people joined in, exposing Edison’s lies, one after another.
Edison tried to deny it, but his façade crumbled. The truth was out.
Then, an older woman approached Serena, her voice firm. “Don’t fall for his tricks, dear. He’s nothing but trouble. Get away from him while you can!”
Watching on a video call, I saw Serena’s world crumble as she threw the ring away. The weight of the truth hit her hard. She ran out of the church, devastated but free from Edison’s grip.
As if that weren’t enough, the police arrived to arrest Edison. He was finally going to face the consequences of his actions.
Later, when I met Serena at her place, she was tearful. “Dad, I’m so sorry. I should’ve listened to you,” she cried.
I hugged her, showing her a plane ticket to Boston. “It’s time to chase your dream, sweetheart,” I told her, smiling.
She looked at me, grateful and hopeful. “Thanks, Dad. I love you.”
This entire ordeal taught me one invaluable lesson: always be there for your children, no matter what. I would never make the same mistake again. Serena came first.
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