My 18-year-old daughter fell in love with a 60-year-old man and planned to marry him, even though I didn’t agree. She insisted she was deeply in love with him. I was shocked when I found out a disturbing truth about him.
One afternoon, as the sun lit up the living room, I was going through some mail when Serena, my daughter, came home early from her part-time job. She walked in with her usual energy, bringing the scent of vanilla with her. I always looked forward to her monthly visits.
Hey, Dad! You won’t believe what happened with my roommate, Jessica…” she started, but quickly noticed I seemed off. “Is everything okay?” she asked.
“Yeah, everything’s fine. Come on in,” I replied.
“So,” I said, trying to focus, “you were saying…”
“Yeah, Dad. Actually… I met someone, and he’s really nice and caring. His name is Edison. He really loves me, and we want to get married. But there’s something…”
“But what?”
“He’s sixty.”
The word “sixty” hit me like a shock. My daughter, just eighteen, in love with someone almost three times her age? Worry and disbelief flooded my mind. “Sixty, Serena? That’s… can’t you see the problem here?”
“Age doesn’t matter when it comes to love, Dad. Edison understands me and believes in me.”
“But Serena, what about the future? He’s so much older.”
“Love isn’t about numbers, Dad. It’s about feeling seen, loved, and cared for, and Edison makes me feel that way,” Serena said with a trembling voice. “Please, can you meet him just once? I promise, you’ll like him.”
I was speechless. Did Serena really understand what she was getting into? Still, I couldn’t say no to her request. What harm could one meeting do? I agreed to meet this Edison guy.
The next night at Edison’s place, I needed some air and stepped out onto the balcony. That’s when I overheard a conversation. “Annie, come on now,” I heard Edison’s smooth voice. “I’m your brother. You know me. It’s just harmless fun, a chance to win a little extra.”
“This is reckless, Edison,” a woman, likely Annie, responded sharply. “You’re playing with that girl’s feelings for some ‘harmless fun.’”
A cold feeling gripped me. “What are you talking about?” Edison snapped.
“The bet, Edison,” Annie hissed. “You think marrying a naive girl will make easy money to pay off your debts?”
My heart sank. Edison was using my daughter for a bet. I was furious.
I rushed back inside and found Serena. “Serena, we’ve been fooled! It’s all a game to him!” I blurted out.
“Dad, what are you talking about?” Serena looked confused, then shocked as I explained the bet.
“He’s lying to you, Serena! He’s just using you,” I said, my voice shaking.
But Serena got defensive. “You’re making this up! You never liked Edison! He cares for me… unlike you, Dad. After Mom passed, you chose your job over me. I felt so alone. I didn’t need nannies or boarding schools, Dad. I needed you.”
Her words cut deep, but I knew we had to focus on Edison’s lies.
Then Edison walked into the dining room. I couldn’t hold back anymore. I punched him in the face, shouting, “Stay away from my daughter, you creep!”
But Serena was furious. “Stop it, Dad! It’s my life, not yours!” she yelled, pushing me back. I knew, no matter what I said, she wouldn’t take my side. She was blinded by Edison’s fake love.
I left, heartbroken but determined. I had to protect my daughter. So, I reached out to a friend who’s a private investigator. A few days later, he handed me a report on Edison’s dark past—filled with failures and a serious gambling addiction.
This was my chance to show Serena the truth and save her.
The report mentioned Duke R., Edison’s former business partner, who’d been ruined by Edison’s bad choices. Duke often hung out at a small diner called Le Beans Café, just outside of town. I found Duke’s phone number in the report and gave him a call.
At Le Beans Café, under the dim lights, I met Duke. Life had been hard on him, but he was eager to share everything about Edison’s gambling problems. He wanted to help me protect Serena from Edison’s lies.
After talking to Duke, I decided to go to Edison’s favorite casino, pretending to be “Parker,” a wealthy Texan. I dressed the part and had my story straight. When I sat down at Edison’s table, I smiled.
“Welcome, Parker. Big game tonight. Feeling lucky?” Edison asked.
I played carefully, and eventually won with a royal flush, beating Edison’s hand. He tried to stay calm, but I could see he was shaken.
“Looks like beginner’s luck,” he growled.
“Or maybe some of us just know how to play,” I said, my smile widening as the realization dawned on Edison. “Surprised to see me?”
Edison went pale, finally understanding who I was. “Billy? What’s this about?”
“It’s about Serena. Leave her alone, and we’re square,” I said firmly, making it clear he had no options. “Or,” I added with a cold edge, “you can settle the debt right now. In cash. And let’s just say, I have some… unconventional ways of collecting.”
“Fine, I’ll stay away from her,” he muttered, clearly defeated.
I left the casino feeling like I had won, but something didn’t sit right. Edison gave in too easily, and deep down, I knew this wasn’t the last of it with Serena.
Fury surged through me as I listened to Serena’s voicemail yet again. Why wasn’t she answering my calls? In desperation, I called her friend Sarah, who cheerfully dropped a bombshell: “Oh, didn’t you hear? Serena’s engagement party with Edison is tonight. You should come, Mr. Thompson. It’s at The Grand Springs, starts at eight.”
“Engagement party? With Edison?” I was stunned.
“Yes! Didn’t Serena tell you?” Sarah replied, unaware of my shock.
I headed straight to The Grand Springs, my mind racing. When I arrived, the sight of Serena glowing with happiness beside Edison, who charmed the guests with ease, made my heart sink. My anger hit a boiling point as I approached Edison.
“We need to talk. Now,” I demanded, pulling him aside.
“Now? During the party?” Edison smirked, trying to brush me off. But I wasn’t in the mood for games. Grabbing his arm, I dragged him into a quiet bathroom, ready to confront him once and for all.
“You think you can just waltz in and take my daughter’s life?” I spat, pressing Edison against the wall, fury coursing through me.
“She loves me. And your dirty little secrets? They could destroy you,” Edison shot back with a sly grin, clearly aware of something about my past that could hurt me.
“But you’re not going to get her. Not on my watch!” I snapped, though the mention of my past mistakes left me rattled inside.
Edison, unfazed, straightened himself. “Two minutes, Thompson. Then I call security,” he warned, his voice dripping with arrogance. “You really think you can stop this, Daddykins? She loves me. She wants me. And if you even try something—if she sees a scratch on me—she’ll turn her back on you forever. Is that what you want, Thompson? To be completely abandoned by your sweet daughter?”
I stood there, torn. As much as I hated Edison, I knew he was right. Serena was already drifting away, and if I pushed her further, I might lose her forever.
Defeated and heartbroken, I ended up sitting outside, the bright city lights mocking my failure to save Serena from Edison’s lies. I buried my face in my hands, feeling utterly helpless.
As I sat there, lost in my own despair, a soft cough interrupted my thoughts. Looking up, I saw a woman standing nearby. She had tall, graceful posture, and her gray hair shimmered gently under the faint streetlight. Her expression was kind, but serious.
“You’re Mr. Thompson, right?” she asked quietly.
I blinked, recognizing her. “Annie? Edison’s sister?” I said, surprised.
She gave a small, knowing smile. “Yes. We’ve met before, back at Edison’s when you tried to protect your daughter,” she reminded me.
Without hesitating, I poured out the whole mess—how Edison was tricking Serena, manipulating her, and now had her on the brink of marrying him. “You know what he’s doing, don’t you?” I asked, my voice filled with desperation.
Annie nodded solemnly. “Yes. I’m aware.”
Annie clenched her fists, her anger toward Edison clear. “That conniving weasel,” she finally spat. “He’s wasted everything—our inheritance, my savings from years of performing… all gone to feed his gambling addiction.”
“We could stop him,” I said, sensing she might be open to helping me.
Annie raised an eyebrow, curious. “What do you have in mind?”
I laid out my plan, hoping to convince her. I even offered her some money to get things moving. “Consider this a start,” I said, handing her the cash.
She looked at the money for a moment and then nodded. “I’m listening,” she said, her interest piqued.
We decided to move forward with the plan at the wedding. Annie blended in, pretending to be just another guest. The ceremony went smoothly until the crucial moment arrived—Edison was about to slip the ring onto Serena’s finger.
Suddenly, a young woman stood up from the crowd and shouted, “He’s a liar!”
As more people stood up, one by one, sharing their stories about Edison’s deceit, the atmosphere in the room shifted. Edison tried to keep his cool, but panic flashed across his face. “No, they’re lying! I don’t even know them,” he stammered, but the cracks in his facade were showing. Everyone was beginning to see who he truly was.
Our plan was working. What was supposed to be a wedding turned into a public unmasking of Edison’s evil deeds. His lies were exposed, leaving no place for him to hide.
In a moment of heavy tension, an older woman approached Serena. “Don’t fall for his tricks, dear. He’s nothing but trouble. Get away from him while you can! I’ve been a victim, too,” she said with conviction, her voice filled with the pain of past betrayal.
Watching through a video call, I saw the realization dawn on Serena’s face. Her world crumbled before her eyes. In a moment of heartbreak and clarity, she yanked off her wedding ring and threw it to the ground. Her dream of happiness shattered, but she had finally seen the truth.
The plan I had put together with Annie and her group of actors had worked perfectly. Exposing Edison’s true nature in front of everyone was the only way to save Serena from making a terrible mistake. She ran out of the church, heartbroken and overwhelmed, but it was the wake-up call she needed.
Things took an even more serious turn when the police arrived to arrest Edison. It was clear his time was up, and he would finally face the consequences for his lies and scams. Though getting Annie’s help had cost me a lot, the sight of my daughter free from Edison’s grip made every sacrifice worth it.
Later, when I met Serena at her place, it was an emotional moment. Tears filled her eyes as she apologized. “Dad, I’m so sorry. I should’ve listened to you,” she said, her voice breaking.
I hugged her tightly and handed her a plane ticket to Boston. “It’s time to start over, to chase your dream,” I said gently, reminding her of her passion for fashion design. It was the fresh start she needed, and I was grateful she was ready to move forward.
Serena looked at me with gratitude and hope in her eyes. “Thanks, Dad. I love you,” she said softly, and in that moment, I knew we were going to be okay.
This whole ordeal had reminded me how crucial it is to be present for our children, no matter what. I realized that if I had been more involved in Serena’s life, she might never have fallen for someone like Edison. The experience taught me a huge lesson about family, love, and responsibility.
From that day forward, I promised myself to make Serena my priority. We only get one chance to protect and guide our children, and I wasn’t going to let anything come between us again.
17 Nannies Whose Adventures Could Fill a Best-Selling Novel
Some people view nannying as a simple job. Tasks like feeding children, reading them stories, and putting them to bed seem routine. However, that’s not always true. The people featured in our article shared their experiences caring for other people’s children, and now we wouldn’t dream of calling this profession dull.
I was 13 and was babysitting my neighbors’ kids. It was my first time, so the parents walked me through all the rules about the bathroom, TV, food, bedtime, etc. Just as the parents were taking off for the night, the mom came back in and whispered to me, “Don’t go into the basement.” As a teenager in the 80s, my mind went to all of the scariest movies that had basements. I avoided the door to the basement all night until I had put the kids to bed.
Then I walked slowly to the door and put my ear against it. I heard what sounded like whimpering. And then it sounded like sad laughing. I ran to the couch and started watching TV to get my mind off of it, but then I heard something fall in the basement and knew someone was down there. I really don’t know how I got the courage/stupidity to do it, but I went over and opened the door. The whining instantly got louder.
I went down just 3 or 4 stairs, so I could peek down… and I saw… a goat. Not a ghost. A goat. As soon as the goat saw me, he started bleating loudly. It scared me. I went upstairs, and the goat was still bleating loudly, so much that it woke up the kids.
The oldest girl came out and said, “Did you open the door to the basement?” I said, “Yeah, why?” She said, “When you do that, Carlos thinks you’re going to feed him, and he starts yelling.” Thank god I knew it was a goat first, because if she had said that before I went down, I would’ve thought Carlos was some kidnapped person in the basement who would yell for food.
It was very funny to me. The mom came home and I told her what happened, and she almost died laughing. They were repairing the goat pen and had to keep him in the basement for a few days. I still remember every moment of that night vividly. © Unknown author / RedditIn my early twenties, I would babysit a set of twins on the weekend once in a while. Their mom was super beautiful, and she was always going on dates.
One night, she told me she met a guy and was going on a date with him. She left at 6 and said she’d be back around midnight. Well, pushing 1 a.m., I’m thinking maybe she’s running late. 2 a.m., 3 a.m… I’m calling and calling her and finally her phone just goes to voice mail. I wake up, and it’s 7 a.m. and she still isn’t back.
I finally found the grandparent’s number in an address book. I call her parents, and they don’t even seem phased. They just seem annoyed like this is business as usual but tell me they’ll be over to sit with the twins, so I can leave. I call the non-emergency police number and explain what’s going on and that the grandparents are on their way.
I stick around for another hour, and then she pulls up wearing a men’s t-shirt, and heels, and she’s laughing. She says jokingly, “Oh my god! Call the police!” I never sat for her again. She just ended up staying with the guy all night and turned her phone off so she couldn’t be bothered. She truly thought I’d dismiss it like it was no big deal. © Kikabennet / Reddit
- The dad of the kids I watched liked me on Tinder. Then, when I told his wife, and she didn’t believe me, he convinced her that “his Facebook was hacked.” The kids were almost always wonderful. © marymoon77 / Reddit
- I work as a nanny in the family of a big businessman. At first, I worked several times a week, then I started living in their house. The head of the family works almost round the clock, his wife doesn’t notice anything but clothes, spas, and fitness.
Yesterday, their 5-year-old son stole money from his father’s safe, came to me, and said we should run away together. I returned the money immediately, but how to explain to a child why I love him more than his mother, I don’t know… © Overheard / Ideer - I’m a nanny, and I heard her first word (it was hippo). But the family won’t ever know that. Some secrets are better to keep. © positivityfox / Reddit
- First babysitting job at 13. Four kids. My parents gave me a whole fresh salmon to COOK and serve the kids. I learned that day that salmon has pin bones when I had to pull some out of the 3-year-old’s throat while simultaneously calling my parents down the road because I didn’t know what to do, as he was coughing and gasping for air. He was fine, but I think I lost 10 years of my life that day. © nah2daysun / Reddit
- A lady tried to dump 2 extra kids on me without paying when she realized I was babysitting her neighbor’s kids. Her rationale was that I was already babysitting 2 kids and 2 more wasn’t that much, so I should watch her kids for free and let them eat her neighbor’s food. © CaptDeliciousPants / Reddit
- I’m not a nanny, but I’ve been babysitting a girl on and off from when she was 5 to 7 now.
Her: What is that?
Me: Pineapple
Her: Oh, I’ve never had pineapple.
Me: Do you want to try it?
She does this about everything, too. I asked her mom if she had ever had pineapple, and she was like of course, she has! Then I realized she was just trying to eat my food. © Kacidillaa / Reddit - I nannied for a wealthy couple, and the husband had a study in the house that the wife joked about never being allowed in. Now, I’m nosy, and I was curious about why you wouldn’t let someone in a study, especially since it looked like a fairly normal room: big desk, walls covered in bookshelves, books of architecture everywhere.
So one day I just roamed around in there. I didn’t find anything, and I was kinda disappointed, but then I grabbed a book off one of the shelves. The thing had money pressed between its pages — about $500 if I had to guess. Picked up another book, and found the same thing.
I think I checked like ten different books, and every single one had money hidden in it. Still not sure if the dude was just paranoid about banks or if he was intentionally hiding money from his wife. © Unknown author / Reddit - I babysat two neighbor kids one time. I had a lot of experience babysitting, but it was my first time with this particular family. The little boy was about 5, and the little girl was maybe 7. Their parents left very specific instructions for bedtime, and they were kept on a very strict schedule. I thankfully had my best friend with me at the time, we were probably 15.
Bedtime came around, and after several warnings, we told them it was time to get upstairs, get into PJs, and carry on with their bedtime routine. They went ballistic. The little boy started tearing the cushions off their leather couch, tossing them everywhere, and biting a hole in the arm of the couch. While I was trying to deal with him, my best friend was trying to get the little girl upstairs when she ran into the kitchen, dumped their entire mop bucket of dirty water on the floor, and started sliding around in it. As soon as the couch-chewer saw the fun his sister was having, he joined in.
I ended up calling my mom for reinforcement, and never babysat for that family again. © soxxyrocks / Reddit
- So the father of the kid works for a major athletic apparel company, and every year they need to test the upcoming year’s potential pieces. To do that, the company sends one of every potential piece to all female employees and female spouses.
Well, the mother is pregnant right now and can’t fit into any of the items, so the father made me a cup of tea and asked me to sit down in the living room (what he does whenever he wants to talk to me about something) and says, “I know we’re not paying you to do this, but would you be willing to test all of the sample pieces my company sent me? You can keep them afterward.”
Yes! Y’all, no kidding, he just handed me 6 boxes of athletic clothing that have to total thousands of dollars. © pineappleprincesspie / Reddit - I was in the living room, watching Sister, Sister,when all of a sudden I heard a man say, “Hello.” I check the front door and look out the window at the driveway, the parents aren’t home. Go upstairs and check the kids, they’re both still in bed.
Go back downstairs, and hear it again, from the darkened dining room, “Hello, I am Armando.” They had a parrot. © Unknown author / Reddit - I only babysat once, and it was nothing horrible. These people had a huge rich house, and everything looked great, but when it was time for the kids’ bed, I figured I’d read them a bedtime story. I searched through that magnificent house and couldn’t find a single solitary book. © TRIGMILLION / Reddit
- So, it is that time of the month for me. I go into the bathroom, and while unwrapping a feminine hygiene product, the kid yells from outside the door, “I can hear you eating candy in there!” It made my day and made me wish that I was eating candy. © HalleysComet5 / Reddit
- I was working as a nanny, and the children’s mother once told me, “My husband doesn’t think we should pay you for when the girls are sleeping…” They were 4 months and 2 years old.
I was a junior in high school and responded, “Okay, so should I duck out once I tuck them in?” I wouldn’t have done that, but I think at that point she realized how ridiculous her request was. © reckate / Reddit - I had a phone interview with a mom that went well, so we met in person for a second interview with her husband and 4 children. It went well until she explained her nanny was fired for having an affair with her husband and how their new nanny needed better morals and to limit her interaction with her husband (who was sitting there the whole time with us).
I’ve never felt more awkward in my whole life as she told me that I’m pretty but thankfully not his type as he just nodded his head. I just find it irritating how it’s the nanny’s fault when her husband also had the affair, and how the nanny needs morals when her husband doesn’t. So yeah, definitely not accepting this job! © thisisdevon- / Reddit
Working as a regular nanny is challenging enough, so imagine being a nanny for a royal family. There are strict rules to follow, such as being allowed to wear only specific types of jewelry.
Leave a Reply