Maybe I’d been wrong.
Perhaps Aaron really did love my mother. The age difference was unusual, but older men married younger women all the time. Why should it be different when the woman was older?
For the first time, I began to question whether my suspicions were justified.
That evening, I found Mom and took a deep breath.
“I accept Aaron,” I told her. “And I fully support your decision.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“I thought you’d already accepted him.”
I forced a smile.
“Well, now it’s official.”
For the first time in weeks, I felt as though I could finally relax.
But that feeling didn’t last.
On the morning of the wedding, we were rushing to get to the venue when Mom suddenly gasped.
“Oh no! I’ve left my phone at home!”
“Don’t worry. I’ll go back and get it,” I offered, eager to be helpful.
I drove back as quickly as I could and began searching the house. I checked the kitchen, the living room, and even her bedroom, but the phone was nowhere to be found.
Then I noticed a small drawer beside her desk.
It was locked.
My stomach tightened. Why would Mom lock a drawer? What could she possibly be hiding?
I tried pulling it open, but it wouldn’t budge. Growing increasingly frustrated, I tugged harder until the lock suddenly gave way.
The drawer sprang open, sending a stack of papers scattering across the floor.
I crouched down to collect them, intending to put everything back where I’d found it.
Then one heading caught my attention.
Debt Notice.
I picked up the first document and began flipping through the pages. Every notice was in Aaron’s name.
My heart started pounding.
What was going on?
Then I spotted another document buried beneath the others. It appeared to be property paperwork.
My mother’s name was listed on it, but the signature at the bottom wasn’t hers.
It was Aaron’s.
A chill ran down my spine.
Suddenly, everything made sense. My instincts had been right all along. Aaron was hiding something, and my mother was in danger.
I forgot all about her phone. Gathering the documents, I rushed out of the house and headed straight for the wedding venue.
By the time I arrived, the ceremony had already begun.
I burst through the entrance, clutching the papers.
“Stop! Stop the wedding!”
My voice echoed through the room.
The music abruptly stopped, and every guest turned toward me. A wave of shocked whispers spread through the crowd.
“Casey?!” Mom spun around, her face reddening with anger. “What on earth are you doing?”
I took a deep breath and held up the documents.
“I knew Aaron was only with you for your money! And now I have proof!”
Gasps rippled through the room.
Mom stepped toward me, her voice trembling.
“How dare you come here and ruin my wedding?”
“I’m trying to save you!” I shouted.
I hurried over and thrust the papers into her hands.
“Look at these! Aaron is drowning in debt! And he’s even bought property in your name! I don’t know how he managed it, but look at the documents!”
