High above the clouds, Kristi moved through the business class aisle of the aircraft with practiced grace. She was used to tending to high-profile passengers, but the couple seated by the window that day stood out. The man, dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, leaned in close to the elegant woman beside him and presented a small velvet box. A sparkling necklace emerged, catching the light with every movement.
Kristi paused mid-step, momentarily caught in the glow of their intimacy. “May I, my gorgeous Isabella?” the man asked. The woman nodded, her cheeks flushed with affection. As he fastened the necklace around her neck, Kristi smiled politely, though a pang of envy fluttered in her chest.
“Lovely lipstick,” Isabella said, breaking the spell.
Kristi blinked. “Thank you. It’s my favorite,” she replied, flattered.
The man handed Kristi a generous tip. “Thank you for making this flight special.”
She nodded with a professional smile. “Enjoy your journey together.”
The image of their affection lingered in Kristi’s mind as the plane landed.
The next day, Kristi visited her mother on her only day off. When she walked in, her mother beamed. “Kristi, meet Edwin. My fiancé.”
Kristi froze. Edwin was the same man from the plane—the one who’d been whispering sweet nothings to Isabella just yesterday. Now, he stood in her mother’s kitchen, greeting Kristi with the same smooth smile. He extended his hand. “Pleasure to meet you.”
Her instincts screamed, but she masked her reaction. “Nice to meet you too,” she said, pretending not to recognize him.
Edwin charmed her mother, cooking a lavish dinner and spinning tales of travel and wealth. But when Kristi tried asking deeper questions, he remained vague. That evening, she stepped onto the terrace with her mother, determined to speak the truth.
“Mom,” she said, “do you really know this man?”
Her mother’s eyes sparkled. “He’s amazing. A billionaire’s son. Generous. Passionate. We’re getting married in a few days.”
Kristi hesitated, then admitted, “I saw him yesterday—on a flight. He was with another woman. He gave her diamonds.”
Her mother’s smile vanished. “Kristi, don’t lie. You just don’t want me to be happy.”
“I’m not lying,” Kristi insisted. “I’m trying to protect you.”
Their argument was cut short as Edwin returned with drinks, his charm intact.
Later that evening, Kristi confronted him directly. “I know who you are. You were with Isabella on that flight. What game are you playing?”
Edwin’s smile cracked for a split second. “You must be mistaken.”
Kristi grabbed her drink and poured it over his head. “You’re a fraud, and I’ll prove it.”
The tension exploded when her mother returned and demanded an apology from Kristi. Humiliated, Kristi left—but not before remembering something useful: Isabella had mentioned losing her jewelry on that flight.
The next day, Kristi went to the airline’s office and asked to track down Isabella. After some persuasion, she obtained her contact details and arranged to meet at a hotel.
“I remember you,” Isabella said when Kristi approached.
Kristi didn’t waste time. She explained everything—about Edwin’s engagement to her mother and the elaborate lies.
Isabella’s eyes hardened. “He asked me for money. I was suspicious. But now I know. Let’s catch him.”
Together, they crafted a plan to expose Edwin. Kristi disguised herself as a waitress at a restaurant where Isabella had invited him for a “final date.” Hidden nearby, Kristi watched as Edwin turned on the charm again, sipping wine and laughing.
At the perfect moment, Kristi spilled wine on his shirt, causing a small commotion. In the chaos, she swapped Edwin’s phone with a decoy.
Inside the restroom, Kristi unlocked his real phone and found damning evidence—dozens of flirtatious messages and dating profiles, each tailored to a different woman.
Suddenly, Edwin pounded on the door. “Give me my phone, or you’ll regret it!”
Kristi emerged with the phone in hand and faced him down. A brief scuffle followed, ending with Kristi screaming for help as staff intervened. Though she avoided charges, Edwin filed a restraining order.
Her mother, furious and humiliated, disowned her. “I don’t want to see you again,” she said, leaving Kristi heartbroken.
But Kristi wasn’t done. With Isabella’s help, she used Edwin’s dating profile to send warning messages to his other victims. Dozens responded.
They all made plans—for his wedding day.
When Edwin stood at the altar, his bride glowing beside him, a ripple ran through the audience. Women—one after another—stood up, interrupting the ceremony.
“Liar!”
“Scammer!”
“You asked me for money!”
Chaos erupted. One woman shoved cake in Edwin’s face. Another tripped him as he tried to flee. Purses swung. Security dragged him out, humiliated.
Kristi watched from afar as her mother stood stunned, unable to meet her eyes.
But Kristi wasn’t angry anymore. She had done what was right. She had exposed a liar and protected countless others. Even if her mother didn’t see it yet, Kristi knew the truth would catch up. All she had to do was wait.
And when it did, her family might just be whole again.
