I Stopped Being Invited to Any of Our Family Gatherings and Was Crushed When I Accidentally Found Out Why

My husband and I are busy but have been trying to be more involved in family activities. However, when they started distancing themselves from me, I knew there was more to it. I just was not ready for

y husband and I are busy but have been trying to be more involved in family activities. However, when they started distancing themselves from me, I knew there was more to it. I just was not ready for the reason behind the silence.

 
A happy couple | Source: Pexels

A happy couple | Source: Pexels

My name is Emily, and I have been married to my wonderful husband, Alex, for over a decade. Alex, originally from China, captured my heart with his kindness and intelligence. He works in tech, a field he has always been passionate about.

A couple having coffee | Source: Pexels

A couple having coffee | Source: Pexels

 

On the other hand, I work as an accountant, so we both lead busy lives, juggling demanding jobs and personal projects. This often means we miss out on some family time. However, until recently, we always made an effort to attend important family gatherings, especially during the holidays.

A man working | Source: Pexels

A man working | Source: Pexels

Despite how busy Alex and I had been, I noticed that my family had started to distance themselves a bit more. For instance, I am really close to my cousins, but lately, they rarely speak to or even call me. I understand that I am at fault sometimes because of my busy schedule, but it has never stopped us from sharing short catch-up calls between breaks.

A woman happily working | Source: Pexels

A woman happily working | Source: Pexels

 

I remember sitting down with Alex one evening, and I couldn’t stop thinking about this issue. I was so confused and started to worry. "Do you think they're upset with us for missing Thanksgiving last year?" I asked, hoping it was just my imagination running wild.

A couple sitting on the couch | Source: Pexels

A couple sitting on the couch | Source: Pexels

Alex looked up from his laptop, "Maybe, but it doesn't make sense. We've missed dinners before, and your mom always says the family understands," he replied, trying to reassure me. But the reassurance didn't stick; I continued to worry more.

A couple talking while sitting on the couch | Source: Pexels

A couple talking while sitting on the couch | Source: Pexels

 

Then, a few months passed with this uncomfortable silence hanging between my family and me. No calls, no messages, nothing. It felt like being slowly erased from a picture I had always been a part of.

A woman thinking | Source: Pexels

A woman thinking | Source: Pexels

I brought it up with my mother, but she also reassured me that nothing was wrong. "Those events aren't crucial, and everyone knows how busy you and your husband are," she said.

A woman on the phone | Source: Shutterstock

A woman on the phone | Source: Shutterstock

 

This feeling of being singled out became a painful whisper in my daily life. I wanted answers, but I was not getting them from my parents. Little did I know that the answers would come to find me.

A woman in a grocery store | Source: Pexels

A woman in a grocery store | Source: Pexels

I was pushing my cart through the grocery store, mentally ticking off items from my shopping list when I literally bumped into someone rounding the corner. To my surprise, it was my Aunt Linda, her arms full of groceries. "Emily! Oh my, what a surprise!" she exclaimed, her face lighting up with a genuine smile.

A woman smiling in the grocery store | Source: Pexels

A woman smiling in the grocery store | Source: Pexels

 

"Aunt Linda!" I said, my heart swelling with joy. "I've missed you so much! How have you been?"

As we hugged, Aunt Linda's expression shifted slightly, and there was hesitance in her voice as she spoke. "I'm good, darling. Actually, I was just at a little get-together the family threw for me. It's a pity you and Alex couldn't make it."

Two women hugging | Source: Pexels

Two women hugging | Source: Pexels

My smile faltered. "A get-together? We didn’t know anything about it."

"Oh, that's strange. But, Emily, there’s something else. Can I ask you something important?" Her tone was serious, filled with concern.

"Of course, Aunt Linda. What is it?" I braced myself, sensing something was amiss.

 
Two women laughing together | Source: Pexels

Two women laughing together | Source: Pexels

She took a deep breath and said, "Is what I heard about you true?" My heart sank. "I mean, your mom mentioned something that seems very out of character for you, and I wanted to see if it’s true.”

"What did she say?" I asked.

"She said you started working as a scammer, and that’s how you make a living. And that Alex helps because he's like a 'computer genius.' I didn’t believe it, Emily, but..."

A woman whispering to another woman | Source: Shutterstock

A woman whispering to another woman | Source: Shutterstock

 

I was stunned. "That's not true, Aunt Linda. None of it. I can't believe this!"

My heart started racing, but I couldn't control the tears streaming down my face. I had to confront this head-on. I called my parents, and as soon as their faces appeared on FaceTime, I didn’t waste a moment. "Mom, Dad, why are you lying about us being scammers? Aunt Linda told me everything."

A woman looking sad | Source: Pexels

A woman looking sad | Source: Pexels

Their expressions were unreadable. Dad looked straight into the camera and said bluntly, "Because you told us so."