Despite our busy schedules, my husband and I always made a conscious effort to engage in family events. Yet, as time went on, I sensed a growing distance. The reason behind this withdrawal was something I never anticipated.

Hello, I’m Emily. My wonderful husband, Alex, has been my partner for over a decade. Alex, a Chinese immigrant, captivated me with his warmth and charisma. He works in the technology sector, a field he has always been passionate about. On the other hand, I am an accountant, which means both of us lead rather busy lives. Our demanding careers often limit the time we can spend with loved ones. However, we made it a priority to attend significant family gatherings, especially during the Christmas season.

Though our schedules were tight, I noticed an increasing distance from my family. For instance, my cousins and I used to be very close, but now they rarely reach out. While I sometimes blamed my busy schedule, it never prevented us from exchanging brief messages. I vividly recall discussing this with Alex over dinner one night, feeling anxious and bewildered. “Are they still upset about us missing Thanksgiving last year?” I wondered aloud, worried that I was overthinking.

“Maybe, but it doesn’t make sense,” Alex replied, looking up from his laptop. “We’ve missed gatherings before, and your mom always says everyone understands,” he tried to reassure me. Sadly, his words did little to ease my anxiety, which only intensified.

For months, I had minimal contact with my family, which felt awkward. There were no calls or messages. It was as if I was gradually being removed from a narrative where I had always played a part. I confided in my mom, who assured me that everything was fine. “Everyone knows how busy you and Alex are, and those events aren’t that important,” she said.

This feeling of being singled out became a persistent thought I couldn’t shake. Despite my repeated inquiries, my parents refused to address my concerns. Little did I know, the answers would come unexpectedly.

While shopping one day, mentally ticking off items from my list, I accidentally bumped into someone. To my surprise, it was my Aunt Linda, her arms full of groceries. “Emily! It’s so good to see you!” she exclaimed, her face lighting up with genuine delight.

I was overjoyed to see her. “Aunt Linda! We’ve missed you so much. How have you been?” Aunt Linda’s expression changed as we hugged, her voice filled with hesitation. “I’m alright, my dear. I was just at a small gathering my family organized for me. It’s a shame you and Alex couldn’t make it.”

My smile faltered. “A gathering? We didn’t know about it. That’s odd.” Aunt Linda seemed uneasy. “Emily, can I ask you something serious?” she hesitated, clearly concerned. “Of course, Aunt Linda. What is it?” I braced myself, sensing something was wrong.

With a deep sigh, she asked, “Is it true what I’ve heard about you?” My heart sank. “What do you mean?” I asked, dreading her response. “Your mom told me that you’ve become a con artist and that Alex is involved because of his tech skills. I didn’t believe it, but…”

I was stunned. “Aunt Linda, that’s completely untrue! None of it is true!” Tears welled up in my eyes as I struggled to comprehend this revelation. I knew I had to confront this head-on. I immediately called my parents, and as soon as their faces appeared on the screen, I didn’t hold back. “Why are you telling people we’re con artists, Mom and Dad? Aunt Linda just told me everything.”

Their expressions were unreadable. “Because you told us so,” my dad said flatly, staring directly at the camera. “No, I never said that!” I shot back, my anger boiling over. “What makes you think you can say that about us?”

Mom refused to engage, leaving the room as Dad’s tone grew harsher. “You must have forgotten,” he said abruptly, trying to change the subject. The conversation ended without any resolution, leaving me confused and hurt. They kept insisting that I had said it, trying to downplay the situation by saying, “No one thinks less of you because of it.” How could they think I would ever say such a thing?

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