even claiming his parents were dead. He had been conning women for years. Hilary, devastated, realized that all of Myron’s strange behaviors—his obsession with gifts, a prenuptial agreement, and secrecy—made sense now.

In the months that followed, Myron was charged with fraud. Hilary received compensation but gave it to Mr. Brown as a thank-you for saving her from Myron.”You don’t owe me anything,” Mr. Brown said, but Hilary insisted. “Thank you for saving me from him,” she replied.The experience left Hilary with a painful lesson: trust was everything, and she was grateful for the second chance at a life free from deceit.