After months of dating, Lewis finally met my parents. When we arrived, my dad’s expression darkened. Ever polite, he invited Lewis to tour the house, starting with the basement. But as soon as they stepped inside, my dad locked the door and called the police.
“He’s not Lewis,” my dad revealed. “He’s Jack Riley, an escaped convict.” A former officer, my dad recognized him instantly. Everything about Lewis’s secrecy suddenly made sense.
The police confirmed it—Lewis was a wanted criminal. As they led him away, my dad reassured me, “It’s better you know now.”
Though heartbroken, I was grateful for my dad’s sharp instincts and realized how much he protected me. It was a tough but valuable lesson in trust.