I Thought She Was My Husband’s Daughter — Until I Came Home Early and Discovered the Truth

Before I met Aiden, I thought true love was something I would never experience. However, one peaceful evening, a strange sound from upstairs revealed a shocking truth: my beloved husband and his supposed “daughter” were not who they claimed to be.

I believed that my life had finally come together at the age of 49. I had everything I needed after years of concentrating on my work and expanding my company, but for a companion. Then I got to know Aiden.

His charisma was genuine rather than ostentatious. He made me feel visible with his easy grin and beautiful brown eyes. Our discussion flowed as if we had known one other for ages when we first met at a benefit.

As he sipped his wine, Aiden had remarked, “I’m not much for these events,” But Emily came up with the concept. I should get out more, she says.

I said, “Emily?”

“My daughter. She is eighteen years old. Since the death of my wife, we have been alone. She has been my pillar.

There was something about his voice that tugged at my heart, the gentle way it softened whenever he said her name.

Aiden completely swept me off my feet. He was always there to lend an ear when I needed to rant about work, surprised me with intimate dinners, and even sent flowers to brighten my day at the office.

“You make me feel like I’m a teenager all over again,” I confessed to him one evening.

He said, “Well, you make me feel alive again,” and grasped my hand.

I was anxious when he introduced me to Emily. How an adolescent daughter would respond to her father dating was unknown to me. Emily seemed courteous, though a little bashful.

Softly, she said, “It’s nice to meet you,” “Dad talks about you all the time.”

Her appearance was delicate, almost frail. She lost her childlike innocence because of her large eyes, which seemed too old for her age, as if her mother had passed away.

I said, “I’ve heard a lot about you, too,” in an attempt to start a conversation. “All good things, of course.”

She gave a small smile. “He’s simply content. It’s been years since I’ve seen him like this.

I became close to both Emily and Aiden over the course of the months. Aiden was considerate, trustworthy, and perceptive. What about Emily? She was kind yet reserved. Although she would occasionally join us for family dinners, she tended to read or study by herself.

Aiden noted that they were experiencing issues with their home one evening.

“The roof needs repairs,” he clarified. Since Liz’s death, it has been one thing after another. I’m beginning to believe that I’m cursed.

“Why don’t you both stay with me while it’s fixed?” I made an offer.

Aiden paused. “Are you certain? That’s a significant step.

“Of course,” I responded. “You’re practically family already.”

One week later, they moved in. We eventually got married after two months of cohabitation after realizing we couldn’t wait to be together forever.

My marriage appeared to be ideal at first. Emily would hesitantly thank me when I gave her small gifts or left snacks on the counter for her, and Aiden prepared breakfast most mornings.

However, there were a few minor aspects of Emily that I found difficult to understand. She didn’t seem to have many friends, and she would give me evasive replies when I questioned her about school.

She would remark, “It’s just boring stuff,” “You wouldn’t want to hear about it.”

Aiden said, “She’s always been private,” in response to my question. “It’s her way of coping, I think.”

Still, something didn’t feel right. I told myself I was overanalyzing it and brushed it aside. They had experienced a great deal. I had no right to pass judgment.

Then that night arrived.

For Aiden, I had prepared a surprise. We celebrated our first year together with a special supper. I let myself in, anticipating the typical calm hum of the house, having left work early.

Rather, from upstairs, I heard laughter. A voice said, “Does she really wear this?!” and my heart skipped a beat.

One of my outfits flew down from the second story and landed in a heap on the floor of the living room before I could comprehend what was happening.

I hurried upstairs in shock.

The bedroom door was slightly open when I arrived. I caught a glimpse of Aiden and Emily sitting on the bed through the crack.

Between them, my jewelry box was open, and Emily’s hands glinted on one of my diamond necklaces. My belongings were strewn all over them, including tiny valuables I hadn’t even aware were gone, watches, and cash.

I initially froze. Were they cleaning? Organizing a surprise? Something about the scene felt off, so I tried to figure it out. Emily’s bag was half-full with what appeared to be my possessions.

“Careful,” warned Aiden in a quiet voice. “The bottom drawer should not be overlooked. More is contained there.

Emily chuckled quietly. “Yes, I am aware. Compared to the last time, this is much simpler.

My heart fell. The final instance?

With my breath trapped in my throat, I slowly retreated. I wasn’t going to tell them I was there, and they hadn’t noticed me. I slipped down the steps in silence, my thoughts whirling.

I picked up my phone and turned on the security system as soon as I was safely in the living room. I tapped the bedroom door a couple of times and locked it, locking them in.

With trembling hands, I called my detective buddy Sarah and described what I had witnessed.

I muttered, “They’re in my bedroom, packing my valuables,” “I used my security system to lock them in. I believe they are stealing from me, Sarah.

“Stay calm,” she advised firmly. “Make a police call immediately. I’ll go over there and see you.”

After hanging up, I called 911, explaining the situation in a quivering voice. Officers were en route, the dispatcher assured me.

I opened the bedroom’s security camera feed on my phone. Aiden’s face was strained as he yanked at the door doorknob. Emily made frantic gestures as she roamed the room.

“What the hell is going on?” Emily lost her temper.

“The door’s locked!” Aiden gave a bark. “I don’t know how, but she must’ve done this.”

Emily’s voice lifted. “You claimed that she wouldn’t notice! This was meant to be simple.

With betrayal and rage bubbling beneath the surface, I clinched my hands. Their little game was ended, but they had fooled me.

I opened the door and led the police to the bedroom when they got there. While Sarah and I remained in the entryway, my legs shaking, two officers went upstairs.

Aiden and Emily were taken downstairs with their hands chained behind their backs a few minutes later. Emily looked at me with hardly concealed contempt, but Aiden’s countenance was unreadable.

“What’s the meaning of this?” With a calm yet acerbic tone, Aiden inquired.

I crossed my arms and muttered, “You tell me,” in a chilly manner.

Emily’s bag was held up by an officer. He added, “We found these,” pointing to the money, jewels, and watches that were inside. “Care to explain?”

Emily was the first to break her façade. “All right! “Are you okay with us taking them?” she yelled. “But it’s not like she even notices half this stuff!”

“Emily!” It was too late, but Aiden snarled.

Despite the chaos within, the officer’s voice remained firm as he asked, “Emily?” “That’s funny, considering your real name isn’t even Emily.”

I looked at them in disbelief. “How do you know that?”

“They are robbers. scammers. did this in multiple states and always managed to get away with it. Well, ma’am, until they bumped into you.”

I gave a nod.

“We discovered several IDs among their possessions. The names don’t correspond. What was her birthdate? She isn’t eighteen yet. She is thirty-two years old.

For a time, the room whirled. 32. She was only a teenager, according to Aiden. I felt loathing prickle my skin.

Aiden eventually snapped when the officers prodded him for further details. Without looking into my eyes, he whispered, “It’s not what you think,” “We required the funds. You’re not getting—”

“I don’t understand?” I broke off, raising my voice. “I invited you to stay at my house! I had faith in you! And you’ve been deceiving me all along?”

Sarah intervened, her face glum. “This type of situation has happened previously. They target a wealthy person and rob them blind while posing as a family.

“They’re good at it,” that officer went on to say. “Too excellent. There is enough evidence here to charge them, but we will need to examine it further.

Aiden came back to me, his charm gone, as the police escorted him and Emily to the door.

He said, “You’re going to regret this,” in a chilly tone.

I refused to flinch and stared him down. “No, Aiden. You are.

Emily turned back to me, now crying. She said, “We didn’t mean to hurt you,” nevertheless.

I didn’t answer. I had no intention of wasting any more of my feelings on them.

I sat by myself in the living room that evening once the house had quieted down once more. Like a thick blanket, the weight of what had transpired descended upon me.

They had completely lied to me, taking advantage of my yearning for affection and kinship.

I relived the small moments I had missed for days. Emily’s evasive responses. Aiden’s unwillingness to divulge personal information. The way they seemed to know just what to say at all times.

Later that week, Sarah stopped by. “You’re not the first person they’ve targeted,” she continued. Furthermore, you wouldn’t have been the final one. However, you stopped them. That’s what counts.

Even though she was correct, the betrayal still hurt.

If I’ve learnt anything, it’s that trust is a gift that may be harmful. I almost lost everything because I gave mine so freely.

I will not, however, allow them to dictate my future. They might have taken my faith and my time, but they were unable to take away my strength.

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