My 18-year-old daughter, Serena, had fallen head over heels for a 60-year-old man named Edison. She was convinced it was true love and insisted on marrying him, despite my strong objections. I was heartbroken when I uncovered a chilling truth about him.

One quiet afternoon, I was sorting through the mail when the doorbell rang. Serena, who’d come home early from her part-time job, breezed in with her usual burst of energy and the comforting scent of vanilla. Normally, I loved these little visits, but today felt different.

“Hey, Dad! You won’t believe what happened with Jessica at work,” she began, her excitement palpable. But she soon noticed my unease. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, everything’s fine. Come in,” I said, trying to keep things light. But what she revealed next was anything but ordinary.

“Dad, I’ve met someone. His name’s Edison, and we’re in love. We’re getting married,” she said, her face glowing. Then she dropped the bombshell. “He’s sixty.”

The word “sixty” echoed in my mind. My daughter, just barely an adult, with a man nearly three times her age? It was hard to process. “Sixty, Serena? Can’t you see the problem here?”

“Age doesn’t matter, Dad,” she said, her voice steady. “Edison understands me in ways no one else does. 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.”

Reluctantly, I agreed to meet Edison, hoping to understand what Serena saw in him.

The next evening, we went to Edison’s place. While Serena chatted with him, I stepped out onto the balcony for some fresh air. That’s when I overheard a conversation that made my blood run cold.

“Annie, relax. I’m her brother. It’s harmless fun—a little game to clear some debts,” Edison’s voice said, smooth as silk.

“You’re playing with that girl’s heart for money, Edison,” a woman replied angrily. “This is reckless.”

My heart sank as I realized Edison was using my daughter as part of a bet. Furious, I stormed back inside and confronted Serena.

“Serena, he’s lying to you. This is all a game to him!” I blurted out, my heart racing as I recounted what I’d overheard.

“Dad, no! You’ve never liked him!” she shouted, tears welling up. “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 hard, but I knew we had to deal with Edison first. Just as I was trying to explain, Edison walked in. My anger flared, and before I knew it, I had punched him.

“Stay 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 turned to a friend who was a private investigator. Within days, I had a full report on Edison’s dark past—failed businesses, a gambling addiction, and massive debt. Armed with this knowledge, I found Duke, Edison’s former business partner, who confirmed everything.

With Duke’s help, I devised a plan to confront Edison where he felt most at ease—his favorite casino. Disguised as “Parker,” a wealthy Texan, I sat at Edison’s poker table. After a tense game, I won with a royal flush, and Edison’s face went pale when he realized who I was.

“Leave my daughter alone, or this will get worse for you,” I warned him.

Reluctantly, Edison agreed to back off, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that it wasn’t over.

The next day, I was stunned to learn from Serena’s friend that she was planning an engagement party. Desperate, I showed up, determined to stop the wedding. I confronted Edison during the party, dragging him into a bathroom to talk privately.

“You think you can just take my daughter’s life like this?” I said, pinning him against the wall.

“She loves me, and I know things that could ruin you,” Edison sneered, hinting at secrets from my past.

But before things could escalate, a surprising ally stepped forward—Annie, Edison’s sister. She had overheard everything and was ready to expose him. Together, we hatched a plan to reveal Edison’s lies.

At the wedding, just as Edison was about to put the ring on Serena’s finger, a group of women stood up, one by one, sharing their stories of how Edison had conned them. The room erupted into chaos as his true character was exposed. Serena, devastated, threw her ring aside and fled the church.

To seal Edison’s fate, the police arrived and arrested him for fraud and other charges. It was over.

Later, Serena came to me, broken and regretful. “Dad, I’m so sorry. I should have listened to you,” she sobbed.

I hugged her tightly and handed her a plane ticket to Boston, where she had once dreamed of studying fashion design. “It’s time for a fresh start, Serena. Go chase your dreams.”

She smiled through her tears, grateful. “Thank you, Dad. I love you.”

Through this painful ordeal, I learned the importance of being there for your children, no matter how tough things get. Had I been more present, Serena might never have fallen for someone like Edison. But now, we had a second chance, and I was determined to never let her down again.