I Became My Father's First Love

The ninety-ninth time my mother tried to run away from my father, she didn't pack a suitcase. She simply walked out to the balcony of our seventeenth-floor apartment, climbed over the railing, and let go.

But down on the street, as the sirens wailed, the neighbors only wept for my father.

Such a tragedy, they whispered, patting his trembling shoulders as he squeezed out a few performative tears. "He is such a steady, respectable man. What a shame he was cursed with such a dark, neurotic, crazy wife."

None of them knew the girl she had been before she met him. Before the rings and the vows, she was a wild, laughing thing who filled every room with light. It wasnt madness that killed her; it was my father's quiet, systematic indifference, eroding her soul day after day until there was nothing left but a hollow shell.

It was while clearing out her old things that I found the truth. Hidden in a false bottom of my fathers desk was a locked tin containing letters and photos of his first lovehis untouchable "golden girl." Worse, the dates on the letters showed they had still been in touch recently.

When I confronted him, panic stripped away his mask of quiet dignity. Terrified of exposure, he frantically burned the letters, then lunged at me. In the struggle, he grabbed my wrist, forced my fingers around the handle of a pair of heavy shears, and plunged them deep into his own chest.

Before I could even scream, he smiled. It was a cold, triumphant look. He had framed me. Overnight, I became the monstrous, patricidal daughter, hated by the entire world.

But when I opened my eyes again, the sterile smell of the police station was gone. The air was thick with the scent of cheap perfume and greasy diner food.

I was sitting in a crowded booth, and my handsslender, unblemished, and elegantly manicuredwere not my own. I was looking into a mirror across the room. I was Gwen. My father's legendary golden girl. And my mothers best friend.

My mother, nineteen years old and radiating a vibrant life I had never seen in her, yanked on my sleeve, groaning.

"Oh, Gwen, my dad is being absolutely insufferable," she complained, her eyes rolling dramatically. "Hes dead set on setting me up with this 'steady, mature' guy. As if I want to spend my youth being bored to death!"

Looking at her glowing, undamaged face, the tears spilled over my cheeks before I could stop them.

"You..." I choked out, my voice trembling. "You really used to laugh like this."

My mother, Daisy, was startled by my sudden tears. The annoyance on her face instantly dissolved into frantic worry.

"Oh my gosh, Gwen! Whats wrong? Why are you crying?" She grabbed my hands, her brow furrowing. "Did some jerk break your heart? Tell me who he is, and I swear I'll go break his windshield!"

She shook her fist with a fierce, protective grin, ready to go to war for me.

Looking into her bright, shadowless eyes, my heart ached. The memory of her broken body on the pavement seventeen floors below flashed behind my eyelids, overlapping with the vivid, breathing girl sitting in front of me.

I squeezed her warm wrists, my voice thick with unshed tears. "Youre the one whos about to get fooled by a jerk, Daisy."

"No way!" Daisy puffed out her cheeks, a faint blush creeping up her neck. "I haven't even been on a date yet! How could a guy fool me? Besides, my standards are sky-high. Im not falling for just anyone."

We paid for our sodas and walked out, strolling down the sidewalk of the bustling suburban town. Daisy kicked a stray pebble, her tone turning uncharacteristically quiet as she spoke of her fears.

"Honestly, Gwen... Im scared. Im scared of finding a guy who seems perfect on paper, only to turn into a completely different person the second we say 'I do.' I hear the older women in the neighborhood talking. They say men put on a show until the wedding day, and then the trap snaps shut. I want passion, Gwen. I want a love thats real and loud. I don't want to spend my life sitting in a stagnant pond."

She looked up at the gray sky, a trace of vulnerability in her eyes. "Do you think there are actually men out there who don't change?"

I looped my arm through hers, drawing strength from her physical warmth. "There are no perfect men, Daisy. And usually, the ones who seem the most 'mature and steady' are the ones hiding the darkest secrets. Don't worry. Were going to grill this guy together today."

In my mind, a cold resolve took root.

In my past life, I couldn't save her. But in this one, the universe had given me a weapon. I was Trevor's fantasythe girl he had spent his life obsessing over. I would use that obsession to dismantle him, piece by piece. I would make sure he never got his hands on her.

I pulled her along, quickening our pace. "Come on. Lets go to the caf and meet this 'steady' gentleman your dad found for you."

Daisy took a deep, steadying breath. "With you there, I feel like I can handle anything."

When we pushed open the door to the local caf, the rich aroma of roasted beans and warm vanilla washed over us. In a quiet booth by the window sat a young man in a pressed white shirt.

At the sound of the door chimes, Trevor looked up.

The moment his eyes landed on my face, the water glass in his hand wobbled. His carefully constructed mask of calm composure cracked, and a raw, burning hunger flared in the depths of his eyes.

"Gwen..." he breathed, his voice barely audible. "How... why are you here?"

I stared at the face of the man who had ruined my mother's life.

In my memories, this man sat coldly on our living room sofa, watching my mother scream and unravel, treating her agony like an annoying buzzing fly. His systematic indifference had suffocated our household for over twenty years.

But right now, his eyes held a desperate, burning firea passion he had never once offered my mother. He wasn't incapable of love. He had simply hoarded all of his devotion for Gwen, his untouchable golden girl.

Daisys eyes widened in surprise. She looked between us, curiosity written all over her face. "Gwen, do you guys actually know each other?"

I searched my mind. In this timeline, the real Gwen had never met Trevor. He had only watched her from afar, nursing a silent, obsessive crush.

I met his burning gaze and shook my head coldly. "No. Ive never seen him before in my life."

The light in Trevor's eyes instantly died, his shoulders slumping. But he recovered quickly, taking a breath and flashing a practiced, polite smile to cover his slip.

"My apologies," he said smoothly. "You look remarkably like someone I used to know."

Daisy, sweet and entirely lacking in guile, didn't sense anything amiss. The fact that her blind date had briefly mistaken her best friend for someone else actually seemed to put her at ease, lowering her defenses.

Once we sat down, Daisy dug into the plate of pastries on the table, sliding the fruit platter toward him. "This place has the best apple tarts. Sweet things always put me in a good mood."

Seeing her so completely unguarded, I sighed inwardly. I reached over with a napkin, gently dabbing a crumb of pastry from the corner of her mouth.

Leaning close to her ear, I whispered, "Take it slow, Daisy. Don't be so eager to please. You can't judge a man over a single cup of coffee. Keep your guard up."

My gentle caution made Daisy pause. She nodded, swallowing her bite, though her eyes still danced with excitement. "I know, I know. But he looks really nice. Not like those slick, sweet-talking guys at school."

I held back another sigh. Just wait, I thought. The universe had positioned me perfectly. I had the winning hand.

Daisy cleared her throat and began the small talk. "So, Trevor, I hear you work really hard. Is your family putting a lot of pressure on you to settle down?"

Trevor set his water glass down, his gaze dropping to the table as he put on a somber, vulnerable expression.

"I grew up in a single-parent household," he said softly. "My mother is the only reason Ive made it this far." He paused, a tremor of grief entering his voice. "But shes very sick. The doctors say she doesn't have much time left."

He let out a bitter, self-deprecating laugh. "To be honest, I didn't expect much from this date. I know the massive gap between our families. I don't mind telling you... even the money for these coffees today came from her meager life savings."

Daisys eyes immediately welled with tears. Trevors calculated display of vulnerability had struck her exact soft spot. A fragile, suffering man who needed saving was the polar opposite of her domineering, wealthy father.

She laid her fork down, her voice soft with sympathy. "I'm so sorry, Trevor. I lost my mother when I was very young, so I understand the pain of family illness. Youre a wonderful son. Im sure shes very proud of you."

Trevor seized the opportunity to turn the spotlight, his eyes softening as he looked at me. "And what about you, Gwen? I imagine your parents must adore you."

I met his gaze, my voice flat. "I'm an orphan."

Daisy protectively grabbed my hand, explaining my history for me. "Gwen grew up in the municipal orphanage. Shes had a really tough life, but shes the strongest person I know. Im never going to let her be alone again."

Hearing this, Trevors eyes underwent a profound shift. A look of fierce, protective longing washed over his face, as if he wanted nothing more than to sweep me up in his arms and shield me from the world.

"I had no idea you had suffered so much, Gwen," he murmured, his voice dripping with intimacy. "If you ever need anythingabsolutely anythingjust ask me."

A wave of intense disgust rolled through my stomach. He is on a blind date with my mother, yet hes openly playing savior to her best friend.

In my past life, when my mother was burning with a 103-degree fever and begged him for a glass of water, he had locked himself in his study, telling her he couldn't risk getting sick and ruining his productivity.

Yet my sweet, naive mother was swallowed whole by his cheap tragedy act. She was nodding along, her heart aching for him.

Seeing Trevor navigate the conversation with such practiced ease, the old feeling of dread from my past life crept back. He was a master at leveraging sympathy, building a flawless persona out of pity.

Just as the atmosphere in the booth was growing suffocatingly tense, a middle-aged woman burst through the caf doors, sweating and frantic.

She spotted Trevor in the corner and screamed across the room, "Trevor! Come quick! Your mother collapsed at home! Theyre rushing her to the ER!"

Trevors face drained of color. He bolted toward the register, his voice cracking. "Bill, please."

He shoved his hands into his pockets, frantically searching for cash. His movements grew chaotic, sweat beading on his forehead.

The cashier tapped the counter, her expression cold. "Sir, youre short by five dollars."

Trevor froze, his face flushing a deep, embarrassed crimson. He looked down, utterly humiliated, refusing to meet our eyes.

Without a second thought, Daisy reached into her purse and handed her wallet to the cashier.

"Keep the change," Daisy said quickly, turning to Trevor with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about it. Lets get to the hospital."

Trevor kept his head down, his voice barely a whisper. "Thank you."

Watching Daisy pull him toward the door, I clenched my fists until my nails bit into my palms. I swallowed my rage and followed them.

When we arrived at the hospital, the red light above the emergency room was still glowing. Trevor slumped against the sterile white wall, hiding his face in his hands. His shoulders shook as tears slipped through his fingers, splashing onto the cold linoleum.

My heart felt like ice.

When my mother had jumped from the seventeenth floor, leaving a shattered, bloody ruin on the concrete, this man had stood outside the police tape without shed a single tear. He had calmly asked the officer if her outstanding funeral costs could be deducted from her state pension.

But here he was, sobbing like a baby. The performance was flawless.

Daisy was entirely heartbroken for him. She rubbed his back gently, whispering comfort. "Its going to be okay, Trevor. The doctors here are excellent. Have faith."

Trevor looked up, his eyes red and pooling with tears as he gazed at Daisy. "Im sorry, Daisy. Im a mess. I didn't want you to see me like this."

Daisy shook her head quickly. "Don't say that. It just shows how much you love your mother."

I could feel my mothers affection for him rising by the second. I dug my nails deeper into my hands, desperate to stop this trainwreck.

Suddenly, the sleek cell phone in Daisys purse began to ring. In this era, a mobile phone was an incredibly expensive luxury.

Trevors eyes instinctively locked onto the device, a flash of raw envy crossing his features. Then, he looked at me. Seeing my empty hands and simple clothes, his expression softened with a twisted sense of kinship, as if our shared poverty made us equals.

Daisy answered the phone. "Dad?"

My grandfather's booming voice echoed faintly through the receiver. "How is the date going?"

Daisy lowered her voice. "Were at the hospital. His mother collapsed."

Charles sounded startled. "Her? Oh, heavens. My future in-law is in the ER? Im coming down right now."

Hearing the words future in-law made my stomach turn. They had only just met, and already my grandfather was mapping out a wedding.

The emergency light clicked off.

The doctor stepped out, pulling off his mask with a heavy sigh. He shook his head. "The cancer has spread. Theres nothing more we can do. She doesn't have much time left. You should go in and say your goodbyes."

We followed Trevor into the room.

The woman on the bed was skeletal, her face pale beneath an oxygen mask. Her clouded eyes fluttered open.

"Trevor..." she rasped. "Which one... is the girl?"

Trevor stiffened. Almost by reflex, his eyes darted to me.

Daisy, completely blind to the exchange, stepped forward warmly and took the dying womans hand.

"Mrs. Osmond, its me. Im Daisy."

I stood at the back of the room, my jaw clenched. Mom, why are you throwing yourself into this trap?

Miriams dim eyes flickered with a sudden spark. She studied Daisy's healthy, vibrant face. "What a beautiful, lovely girl..." she whispered, pausing to catch her breath. "My poor boy... he doesn't deserve someone like you."

Daisys cheeks flushed pink, and she ducked her head. "Don't say that, Mrs. Osmond. Trevor is wonderful."

Miriam, sensing Daisy's sweet, pliable nature, squeezed her hand, beginning her emotional assault.

"Daisy, my time is running out. But looking at you... do you think you could care for my Trevor?"

Daisy bit her lip and gave a soft, hesitant nod.

Miriam let out a ragged sigh, tears leaking from the corners of her eyes as she began to spin a tale of ancient history. As it turned out, my grandfather Charless first love had been Miriam. Due to family pressure and bitter misunderstandings, they had been torn apart, carrying the regret for decades.

"Our generations tragedy," Miriam wept softly. "If only the two of you could find happiness together... I could die in peace."

Daisys eyes welled with tears. The sheer, tragic romance of the story struck her romantic heart perfectly. Her desire to fulfill this dying womans wish skyrocketed.

By midnight, the ward had fallen silent. Daisy had fallen asleep, her head resting on the edge of the mattress. Miriam, too, had drifted into a heavy, medicated sleep.

Trevor quietly stood up and walked over to me.

"Gwen," he whispered, his eyes dark and pleading. "Can we talk outside? Just for a moment?"

Looking at his handsome, earnest face, a cold smile bloomed in my chest.

The trap is set. Time to spring it.

"Sure," I whispered back.

As he turned toward the door, I reached down and gave Daisy's side a sharp pinch.

It was our secret codea signal we had used since childhood to mean something major is happening, pay attention.

She stirred slightly, but her movements were incredibly subtle. Her breathing remained slow and deep, pretending to still be asleep. Trevor noticed nothing.

Out in the quiet hallway, the cool night breeze rustled the collar of Trevor's white shirt. He leaned against the windowsill, trying desperately to maintain his steady, mature persona, but the slight tremor in his hands gave away his frantic state.

I pushed down the lingering terror from my past life and met his gaze coldly.

He stared at me, a desperate, longing look in his eyes. "Gwen... Ive actually known who you were since high school."

I raised an eyebrow. "And?"

"You used to sit by the window in the library," he murmured, taking a step closer. "You were so quiet, so elegant. All these years have passed, and youre still exactly the same. Pure. Untouched by the world."

His praise didn't flatter me; it made my skin crawl. He was deeply intimidated by Daisys wealth and sparkling confidence, but with methe orphan he assumed was as desperate and poor as himhe felt a twisted sense of ownership.

"Gwen, you have no idea the shock I felt seeing you today," Trevor confessed, his voice dropping as he finally stripped away his saintly mask. "Ill admit it to you. I wear a mask. I have to. My mother is dying, and I need money. I need a woman who can lift me out of this gutter."

"So you targeted Daisy?" I asked, my voice dangerously calm.

"Daisy is rich and gullible," Trevor said, showing his true, calculating colors. "And I know shes already falling for me. If I ask, shell marry me in a heartbeat."

I swallowed the white-hot rage burning in my throat. "Then why are you telling me this?"

He took another step, closing the distance between us, his eyes wild with a frantic, obsessive heat.

"Because my heart has only ever belonged to you, Gwen!" His breathing turned shallow and rapid. "You and I... we don't have the luxury of wealth. We are the same kind of people. Only we can truly understand each other. Gwen, say the word. If you tell me to, I will dump Daisy right now."

He reached out, his voice filled with a desperate promise. "I don't want to hurt her, but if you agree to be with me, I will go inside and break it off with her immediately." He paused, his tone turning subtly menacing. "But if you reject me... then for my mothers sake, Ill have to marry Daisy."

I stared at the monster in front of me. He was wrapping his greed and manipulation in the guise of tragic love, treating two women like commodities, and using his own dying mother as leverage.

In my past life, he had drained my mother dry. He seized her inheritance, controlled her every move, and made her beg for grocery money, turning a vibrant girl into a ghost.

"You really are a prince among men, Trevor," I sneered.

But he had vastly underestimated me. I had expected him to try this.

My eyes flickered toward the hospital room door, which was cracked open just an inch. Behind the glass, a familiar shadow shifted slightly.

Daisy was standing there, her hands clamped over her mouth to muffle her gasps. Her eyes were wide with horror as she listened to the man she thought was her destined romance describe her as a gullible ATM and a backup plan.

Trevor, entirely unaware, reached out to grab my hand. "Just say yes, Gwen. Tomorrow, I'll cut that stupid girl loose!"

Before his fingers could touch my skin, the hospital door was kicked open with a deafening bang.

Daisy stood in the doorway, her eyes blazing through her tears.

"Trevor Osmond," she spat, her voice shaking with rage. "Why don't you say those exact words to my face?"