When my 18-year-old daughter told me she was in love with a 60-year-old man and planned to marry him, I was devastated. She insisted that their love was real, but I couldn’t shake the unsettling feeling that something was wrong.
One evening, while sorting through the mail, Serena came home excited and bubbling with energy. “Dad, I met someone amazing,” she said. “His name is Edison, and he loves me. We’re getting married.” But then she added, “He’s 60.”
The words hit me like a ton of bricks. How could my daughter, barely out of her teenage years, fall for a man old enough to be her grandfather? “Serena, are you sure about this?” I asked, barely containing my shock. But she was adamant. “Love isn’t about age, Dad. Edison understands me.” She begged me to meet him, so I reluctantly agreed.
When I met Edison, something felt off. He was charming, but I couldn’t shake the unease that lingered. Later that evening, while stepping out for some air on his balcony, I overheard a disturbing conversation. Edison was speaking to a woman, Annie, who seemed to know him well. “You’re just toying with that girl’s affections for some quick cash,” she hissed. My blood ran cold.
Realizing that Edison was using my daughter as part of a bet to clear his gambling debts, I confronted Serena. She was furious, convinced that I was making everything up because I didn’t like Edison. The truth was, I hadn’t been around much since her mother passed away, and she resented me for it. “You chose your job over me,” she said. Her words stung, but I knew I had to protect her.
Determined to expose Edison, I enlisted the help of a private investigator. What he uncovered was even worse than I expected. Edison had a long history of failed businesses, gambling, and deception. Armed with this information, I tracked down one of his former business partners, Duke, who confirmed Edison’s shady dealings. Together, we devised a plan to expose him.