After his wife left the family, a man raised their child alone — Twenty years later, a woman contacts their daughter – Story of the day

“What’s wrong?” she asked, wiping away the few tears that had rolled down her cheeks.

“I protected you from all this for years. But you’re right: you’re old enough to know the truth now,” Chris replied gently as he opened a video. It showed Fiona and her father in a heated argument, back in the mid-2000s, when she was a teenager.

Her father turned up the volume, and Anne heard Fiona shouting. She threatened to drag him to court and take Anne away. Finally, she saw Chris handing her money. The woman flashed a smile like a cat who caught the canary, then left. The video stopped, and her father played another, filmed a few years later.

Chris had several recordings showing the same scene. “I didn’t record the first time. But my lawyer advised me to, so I installed cameras at home, not knowing if she’d come back asking for more money,” he murmured, lips tight, trying to contain his emotion.

Chris tried to protect her from Fiona. | Source: Pexels

“But… what if she really changed? She paid for lunch, so maybe it’s true, the story about a rich husband,” Anne suggested, refusing to believe the worst about her mother.

“Oh, sweetheart…” her father sighed, lowering his head. “Look. This video is from yesterday. I suppose she left you that note right after this.”

It was clear as day. Fiona wore exactly the same clothes as the day before. Once again, she was asking for money.

“But why did you give her anything? I’m an adult now. She can’t take you to court anymore,” Anne said, tears in her eyes.

“I didn’t want her interfering in your life. She could destroy you and Edward. She’s a toxic person. I wanted her to disappear. And I’d keep doing it if you wanted,” Chris said, looking at her with all the love in the world. Anne couldn’t deny that he had acted, in his mind, for her own good.

“No, Dad. It stops now. I’ll handle it,” she finally declared, wiping her tears.

“Sweetheart! I’m so happy you called me! I loved having lunch with you the other day! So, have you thought about what I said? Are you ready to forgive me?” Fiona asked with a sweet smile that Anne no longer believed.

“Of course, Mom,” she replied. Fiona was delighted to hear that—“But today, I’ll treat you! Order anything you want!”

“That’s wonderful, honey!” the woman enthused, settling in to read the menu. She ordered lobster, caviar, several appetizers, desserts, and two bottles of the most expensive wine. Of course, she knew Anne worked at Harrison Group.

Two hours later, after devouring almost everything, Fiona excused herself to go to the bathroom. “I’ll be right back, darling. Why don’t you ask for the bill? Afterwards, we can do something nice together,” she said before leaving.

Anne did exactly what she said. She asked for the bill, stuck a small note on it, and left it on the table.

“She’ll pay when she comes out of the bathroom,” she told the waiter, who looked at her doubtfully.

When Fiona returned from the bathroom, she first saw the post-it:

I loved the lunch, old hag. Good luck paying!

Her mouth dropped open in shock, and she scanned the room.

Anne never saw her again, but later learned that Fiona caused a huge scene when she was unable to pay the bill.

What can we learn from this story?

Some people are not meant to be parents. Fiona did not deserve that title; she thought only of herself for years.

Recordings can save your life. If you’re harassed or blackmailed, record or document everything you can; it can prove you’re not lying.

Share this story with your friends. It could brighten their day and inspire them.