It was a bright afternoon when my world turned upside down. I had just settled in, sifting through mundane letters, when the doorbell rang. Serena, my 18-year-old daughter, had arrived early from her part-time job, her vibrant energy filling the room. It was that time of the month I looked forward to, when she’d visit me.
“Hey, Dad! You won’t believe what happened with my roommate, Jessica…” Serena began, her usual bubbly self. But then, she noticed the concern in my eyes and stopped. “Everything okay?” she asked with a furrowed brow.
“Yeah, yeah, everything’s great,” I said, trying to hide the unease building inside me. “Come on in, honey. What were you saying?”
“Well,” she started, sitting down with a glint of excitement, “I met someone. His name’s Edison. He’s so nice, so caring. He really loves me, Dad. And we’re getting married.”
My heart skipped a beat. “Wait, what? You’re getting married? But who is he?”
Serena smiled, her face glowing with the kind of happiness I hadn’t seen in a while. “His name’s Edison. But, there’s something you should know… He’s sixty.”
The word “sixty” hit me like a ton of bricks. My 18-year-old daughter, marrying a man who was almost three times her age? It didn’t sit right with me. I opened my mouth, but no words came out at first. “Sixty, Serena? I… I can’t understand. Can’t you see what’s wrong here?”
Serena’s face fell, but she stood firm. “Dad, age doesn’t matter. It’s about how he makes me feel. Edison understands me. He believes in me, and he’s the one who makes me feel loved.”
“But Serena,” I began, trying to keep my voice steady, “what about the future? What happens when he’s too old to be there for you?”
“Love isn’t about age, Dad,” Serena countered, her voice soft but full of conviction. “It’s about the connection we have. He’s been there for me, and that’s what matters. Please, Dad, just meet him. You’ll see. I promise.”
My heart sank, but I couldn’t turn her down. “Alright, I’ll meet him. But I don’t know what to think.”
The next evening, I met Edison. As soon as I walked into his place, I felt something off about the whole situation. I stepped outside for some air, needing a moment to think. That’s when I overheard a conversation that made my blood run cold.
“Annie, come on now,” Edison’s voice floated over to me. “I’m just having a bit of fun. It’s harmless. We make a deal, I win, I’m in the clear. No big deal.”
A woman’s voice, presumably Annie’s, responded with clear concern. “You’re messing with that girl’s life for a bet, Edison. You’re using her.”
Bet? I froze, my heart pounding. I listened closely.
“She’s a pawn, Annie. It’s just a way to clear my debts,” Edison replied, his voice dripping with smugness.
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Edison was using my daughter for a bet? My hands shook with rage. I had to get back to Serena and tell her what I had just learned.
I rushed inside, my voice shaking with urgency. “Serena, listen to me! It’s all a lie! He’s using you for a bet!”
She stared at me, confused. “What are you talking about, Dad?”
“He doesn’t love you. He’s just playing you, Serena!” I yelled, trying to get through to her. “You’re nothing more than part of his scheme.”
Serena’s face twisted with anger. “You’re making things up! You’ve never liked him! You’ve never understood me!” Her voice trembled. “You were always busy, Dad. After Mom died, you chose your job over me. I needed you, not nannies or boarding schools!”
Her words hit me like daggers. I knew I hadn’t been the perfect father, but I couldn’t believe she thought I hadn’t been there for her. Despite everything, I still had to stop Edison from ruining her life.
Just then, Edison entered the room. Seeing red, I lost it. I rushed at him, throwing a punch that landed squarely on his face. “Stay away from my daughter, you creep!” I yelled.
Serena screamed, pushing me away. “Stop it, Dad! It’s my life! You can’t control me!”
Her words hurt, but I knew I had to do something more. I couldn’t just leave her to fall deeper into his trap.
I called a private investigator the next day. He did some digging and came back with disturbing news. Edison had a dark past—failed businesses, gambling problems, and debts he couldn’t pay off. It was a mess, and my daughter was caught in it.
The investigator also mentioned a man named Duke R., Edison’s former business partner, who was left behind because of Edison’s failures. I knew Duke was the key, and I needed to speak to him.
I tracked Duke down to Le Beans Café, a quiet diner outside of town. Life had clearly been hard on him, but he was willing to help. He wanted to see Edison pay for his deceit, and we agreed to work together.
I made my next move: I went to Edison’s favorite casino, posing as “Parker,” a wealthy Texan with deep pockets. I sat at the same table as Edison, keeping my cool.
“Welcome, Parker. You’re in for a big game tonight, huh?” Edison smiled, trying to keep it together. But I could see the tension in his eyes.
“I guess I’m just lucky,” I said with a smile, playing my hand. To his surprise, I won, and my royal flush beat his cards.
Edison’s expression faltered. “Beginner’s luck,” he muttered, trying to hide his nerves.
“Or maybe some of us just know how to play,” I replied, letting him process my words. “Surprised to see me, Edison?”
His face went pale as realization hit him. “Billy? What’s this about?”
“It’s about Serena,” I said coldly. “Stay away from her, or we’ll settle this right now, with cash. I have ways of collecting debts.”
“Fine,” he spat, “I’ll stay away from her.”
I walked out of the casino, feeling like I’d won but still uneasy. Edison had given in too easily. I wasn’t sure if this was truly over.
The next morning, my phone rang with Serena’s voicemail. She hadn’t answered my calls. Desperation led me to reach out to Sarah, her friend, who dropped a bombshell. Serena was engaged to Edison.
“Engagement party? With Edison?” I asked, stunned.
“Yes! Didn’t Serena tell you? It’s at The Grand Springs, starts at eight,” Sarah replied, unaware of the chaos it caused me.
I arrived at The Grand Springs, my heart heavy as I saw Serena, radiant with happiness, standing beside Edison, who oozed charm. The sight made my blood boil. I had to stop this.
I approached Edison, fury in my voice. “We need to talk. Now.”
“You want to talk? During the party?” Edison sneered, but I wasn’t backing down. I dragged him to a quiet bathroom.
“You think you can just take my daughter’s life from me?” I demanded, shoving him against the wall.
“She loves me. And you? You’ve got secrets that could destroy you,” he hissed.
“I don’t care,” I shot back, determined. “You’re not getting her. Not on my watch.”
Edison smirked. “Two minutes, Thompson. Then I’ll call security.”
I was ready to do whatever it took to stop him. But before I could say anything else, Edison’s voice turned venomous. “If you lay a hand on me, Serena will never forgive you. You’ll lose her forever.”
His words stung, and I knew he was right. Serena was already against me. I couldn’t afford to lose her.
Defeated, I stepped outside, the city lights mocking me. I sat on a bench, my face buried in my hands, feeling like I had failed my daughter.
Then I felt a presence beside me. A woman with gray hair, gentle yet firm, stood there. “You’re Mr. Thompson, right?”
I looked up, stunned. “Annie? Edison’s sister?”
She gave me a small smile. “Yes. We’ve met before… at Edison’s.” She had seen through his lies too.
I shared everything with her, and Annie, disgusted by her brother’s actions, agreed to help. We made a plan, and at the wedding, we set the trap.
As Edison placed the ring on Serena’s finger, a woman stood up, shouting, “He’s a liar!” Soon, others followed, revealing his lies and deceit. Edison tried to deny it, but the damage was done. The truth was out.
Serena’s face fell, and she ran out of the church, her dream of happiness shattered. The police arrived soon after, arresting Edison. I knew he was finally going to face the consequences.
Later, at Serena’s place, she cried, apologizing for not listening to me. “I’m so sorry, Dad. I should’ve trusted you,” she said, her voice breaking.
I handed her a plane ticket to Boston, reminding her of her dream to study fashion design. “It’s time to start over. Go chase your dream, honey.”
Her tear-filled eyes met mine. “Thanks, Dad. I love you.”
That moment, filled with hope and redemption, reminded me of what truly mattered. Family. And I knew, no matter what, I would always be there for my daughter.
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