“Mom, have dinner here this afternoon—I’ll be home early.” I smiled, comforted by my daughter’s cheerful voice, never imagining that this very day would turn my world upside down.

A moment of silence, then Maricel’s voice on speakerphone:

“Honey, I’ll be home early. Is Mom awake yet?”

“Mom’s not here yet. I have a client to meet,” Rafael lied, coldly.

I felt numb. The polite, smiling man I once knew was now a stranger, lying without hesitation.

The door slammed, footsteps faded. I slowly opened the closet door. The room smelled of a strange perfume, Maricel’s clothes were wrinkled, and Rafael’s wedding ring lay on the table. I sank to the floor, tears streaming.

“Maricel… my daughter… how could you marry someone like this?”

But crying would change nothing. I wiped my tears, took a deep breath, and picked up the phone. Quietly, I called the police:

“I suspect my son-in-law of fraud and property theft.”Continue reading…

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