My 18-year-old daughter had fallen in love with a 60-year-old man and insisted on marrying him, despite my objections.
She insisted it was true love, but I was devastated when I discovered a chilling truth about him.
It was a quiet afternoon, and I was sorting through the mail when the doorbell rang.
My daughter, Serena, had come home early from her part-time job.
As she entered, her energy and familiar scent of vanilla filled the room.
I always looked forward to these visits, but something seemed different today.
“Hey, Dad! You’ll never believe what happened with Jessica at work,” she began, then paused, sensing my unease.
“Is everything okay?”
“Yes, everything’s okay. Come in,” I replied, trying to keep my tone light.
But as we talked, she dropped a bombshell that left me speechless.
“Dad, I met someone. His name is Edison, and we’re in love. We’re getting married,” she said, her face beaming with happiness.
Then she added, “He’s sixty.”
Sixty. The word echoed in my head.
My barely legal daughter with a man three times her age?
I struggled to process that.
“Sixty, Serena? Don’t you see the problem?”
“Age doesn’t matter, Dad,” she said firmly.
“Edison understands me like no one else. He loves me.”
“Serena, think about the future. He’s so much older—”
“It’s not about numbers, Dad! He makes me feel loved and cared for,” she insisted.
“Please, just meet him. You’ll see.”
Despite my reluctance, I agreed to meet Edison, hoping to understand what she saw in him.
The next evening, we ended up at Edison’s house.
While Serena was talking to him, I went out onto the balcony to get some air.
That’s when I overheard a conversation that made my blood run cold.
“Annie, relax. I’m his brother. It’s just a harmless game—a little bet to clear some debts,” Edison said in a smooth voice.
“You’re gambling with this girl’s heart for money, Edison,” the woman replied angrily.
“That’s reckless.”
A shiver ran through me as I realized that Edison was using my daughter for a bet.
Infuriated, I rushed inside and confronted Serena.
“Serena, he’s lying to you.
This is all a game to him!” I blurted out, my heart pounding as I told her what I’d heard.
“Dad, no! You never loved him!” she cried, tears in her eyes.
“You don’t understand. Edison cares about me. You weren’t even there for me after Mom died.
I needed you, not boarding schools and nannies.”
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, but I knew we had to deal with Edison first.
As I tried to explain, Edison walked in.
My anger flared, and before I knew it, I was punching him.
“Get away from my daughter!” I yelled.
But Serena was furious, defending Edison and pushing me away.
I left that night, heartbroken but determined to save her.
I enlisted the help of a private investigator friend.
Within days, I had a full report on Edison’s dark past—failed businesses, a gambling addiction, and mountains of debt.
Armed with this information, I tracked down Duke, Edison’s former business partner, who confirmed everything.
With Duke’s help, I concocted a plan to confront Edison where he felt most comfortable—his favorite casino.
Disguised as “Parker,” a wealthy Texan, I sat down at Edison’s poker table.
After a tense game, I won with a royal flush, and Edison’s face turned livid when he realized who I was.
“Leave my daughter alone, or it will be worse for you,” I warned him