Gift Gone Wrong: My Granddaughter’s Betrayal and My Reality Check

My Granddaughter Kicked Me Out of the Apartment I Gifted Her — So I Gave Her a Reality Check

Emily, my granddaughter, ejected me from my flat and claimed it as her own. She had no idea that her “perfect” fiancé, Tom, was hiding a sinister secret that would upend our lives and teach us both a difficult lesson about family and trust.

Since my son and his wife perished in that horrific vehicle accident six years ago, it has been a difficult path. Since Emily was sixteen years old, I have been raising her. It wasn’t easy, but we made it work.

Emily beamingly burst into our flat last Tuesday. “Grandma! What do you think?”

I lifted my eyes from the crossword. “What’s got you so excited?”

“I’m engaged!” She held her hand up to reveal a dazzling ring.

My stomach dropped. “Married? To whom?”

“Hey, Tom! Our relationship lasted for two months. He’s flawless!”

I put down my pen. “Half a year? That seems really quick, don’t you think?

Emily’s grin vanished. “Why can’t you just be happy for me?”

“I’m merely worried. How are your academic pursuits going?”

Her hand was waved off dismissively. I’m not suited for college. I’m leaving the program.”

“You can’t be serious, Emily. Education is essential.

“Why? I will get married. Tom is going to look after me.

I scowled. “What if something goes wrong? Should he depart?”

“He won’t,” she angrily declared. “Why are you being so negative?”

I exhaled. “I’m just looking out for you, dear.”

“Well, don’t. Oh, and I need you to move out, by the way.”

Thinking I had misheard, I blinked. “Go outside? Wherefore?”

“This residence. Now it’s mine.”

“Emily, I said you’d inherit it after I pass away.”

She gave a shrug. “Identical distinction. I require that right now.”

I was hearing things that I couldn’t believe. “Where am I supposed to go?”

“Not my problem,” she stated while looking at her phone.

“This is absurd, Emily! You can’t simply eject me!”

She hardly took her eyes off her constant phone. “Observe me. You must leave by tomorrow, please.”

I attempted to reason with her, but it felt unfruitful. I had trouble sleeping that night since my thoughts was racing with doubt and anxiety.

Emily practically forced me out the door the following day. It’s time to go, Granny. Tonight, Tom is moving in.”

I begged Emily, standing in the hall with a hurriedly packed bag. Let’s discuss this.

There’s nothing to talk about,” she curtly said, rolling her eyes. Goodbye. Then I felt the door bang against my face.

Still in disbelief, I passed the night in the corridor. How could this be done by my own granddaughter?

I went to the store early in the morning to get a new outfit so I could look decent when I saw a lawyer. To get my flat back, we filed a lawsuit, but I had other ideas for disciplining Emily.

I gave my out-of-town sister, Beatrice, a call. “Bea? Evelyn is here. Please do me a favour.

“What’s not right? You have a terrible voice.”

When I gave her the rundown, Bea lost it. “That little, ungrateful one… Yes, you are welcome to remain here. Come on over, and together we’ll work this out.”

Once I arrived at Bea’s and settled down, I called my vibrant former buddy Fiona. She is the PI firm’s manager.

“Fi, I require your knowledge. Could you investigate Emily’s fiance?”

Yes, of course, Eve. What is his name?

“His name is Tom. All I know is that. However, I’ve discovered where he is on social media – my granddaughter has taught this elderly dog new tricks.”

“Give me a few days and text me anything you have on him. I’m going to see what I can find.”

I answered, “Okay, will do, Fi, thank you.”

I called the lawyer regarding my flat and instructed him to put off the case to reclaim it while Fiona looked into it.

“It’s fairly unambiguous,” the attorney remarked. “Your name is on the flat. She is not legally entitled to it.

“All I want is for it not to come to that. I answered, ‘I want to speak reason into her first.

After three days, Fiona returned the call. “I’m sorry, Evelyn. This Tom persona is very remarkable.”

“How so?”

“During the last three years, he has deceived at least four affluent ladies. left them heartbroken and shattered.”

My heart felt icy. “Are you certain?”

“Yes, without a doubt. I have all the proof in one place.”

I hung up after thanking her. Emily was oblivious to what she was about to encounter.

The wedding day came around more quickly than I thought. I arrived to the location with Fiona, holding an evidence folder.

Emily ran over as soon as she saw me. “What are you doing here?”

“Trying to stop you from making a huge mistake.”

She growled, “You weren’t invited!”

I raised the folder. “Tom is not who you believe he is, Emily. He’s pursuing your funds.”

Her countenance turned pallid. “What are you talking about?”

This is nothing new for him. several occasions.”

Emily grabbed the packet from me and began to page through it while her hands were shaking. “This… this can’t be right.”

Tom suddenly materialised, his angry face twisted. He demanded, “Baby, what’s going on?”

Emily whirled around, wounded and enraged flaring in her eyes. “Is this accurate? Her voice trembling with anguish, she asked, “Are you just using me?”

Tom’s façade cracked, his smile faltering. “Obviously not. His tone took on a tinge of desperation as he said, “Who told you that nonsense?”

“It’s all here,” Emily replied, shoving a document in his direction while her voice faltered. “Proof of what you’ve done.”

Tom’s gaze flitted over the space as a panic attack took hold. He shot for the door without warning, leaving a trail of astonished stillness behind him.

Emily collapsed into a chair close by, sobbing uncontrollably. I sat next to her, putting my arm across her shaky shoulders as the people began to grumble and file out. “I’m so sorry, sweetie,” I muttered, powerless as hell.

Her face was streaked with mascara as she raised her gaze to me. “What do I do now?” My question was hardly audible above a whisper.

I gave her a gentle squeeze on the hand and told her, “We’ll figure it out together.”

After I got back to the flat a few days later, Emily contacted me from work in a panic. “Grandma, I have a serious problem! Just now, the bank called. Tom took out loans in my name and maxed out my credit cards. I have no idea what to do. I have so much to repay.”

I inhaled deeply. “You must take this on head-on. Take a different job. Sell anything you are able to.”

She cried, “But that will take forever!”

“That’s how it goes sometimes,” I firmly said. “When you come home this evening we’ll talk this over and figure it out.”

Emily slowly nodded. “You’re accurate. I’ve treated you horribly. I apologise sincerely.”

Saying “I forgive you,” I spoke. “But it’s time to grow up.”

Emily worked herself into the ground for the ensuing few months. She worked retail and waited tables. She also sold the majority of her belongings.

In the flat, we got back into our regular routine. Emily continued to work and even enrolled in some online courses.

While having supper one day, she stated, “I never realised how hard it is to make money.”

I gave a nod. It’s rewarding even though it’s not simple. Emily, you’re doing fantastic.”

She grinned. “Grandma, thank you. For everything.”

We had a pot of tea while sitting on the terrace six months after the wedding that never happened.

“Grandma?” stated Emily. “I never gave you a proper thank you. For everything.”

I gave her a hand pat. “Dear, you’re really welcome. I’m pleased with your handling of the situation.”

She grinned. Without you, I could not have completed the task. Before, I was such a brat.”

“You were,” I concurred. “But you’ve really turned things around.”

Emily gave a nod. “Yes, I have. I promise not to take you for granted ever again.

“I’m sure you won’t,” I uttered. “You’ve learnt a valuable lesson.”

“A few, in fact,” Emily chuckled. “Never trust a guy with a too-perfect smile, always read the fine print, and grandmas know best.”

I laughed. “That about sums it up.”

But really, Emily went on, “I can’t believe how blind I was.” Tom appeared to be really ideal.

“That’s typically how con artists work,” I said. “They tell you exactly what you want to hear.”

Emily sighed. “I just feel so stupid.”

“Don’t,” I sternly commanded. “You won’t be the last person to fall in love with someone like that; you’re not the first. What counts is what you do with it afterwards.”

She gave a nod. “I suppose. Simply put, you know, I had all these dreams. A lavish wedding and an ideal life. I now work two jobs and attend classes at night.”

“And you’re all the stronger for it,” I said. “You’re building a real future now, not a fantasy.”

Emily grinned. “You’re accurate. Although difficult, it feels fantastic. As like I’m truly making progress.”

“You certainly are,” I told her. “I’m so proud of you, Emily.”

I had a calmness that overcame me as we watched the sun set. Despite all of our hardships, our relationship was stronger than ever. Tough love is exactly what’s required sometimes.

Emily rested her head on top of mine. “I love you, Grandma.”

My response was, “I love you too, sweetie,” as I put an arm over her.

As the stars came out, we relaxed in quiet conversation. Although neither of us had anticipated this future, it was still ours, and we would face it together.

How would you have responded in that situation?

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