The marriage swindler

Chapter 1

It was a quiet, golden autumn morning as Natalie and Leonie walked up the driveway of the grand estate owned by the elderly millionaire Thomas. The air was cool and crisp, carrying the scent of decaying leaves with the light breeze. The house ahead still bore the glory of days long past, though the signs of neglect and the ravages of time were unmistakable. The windows were tall, the façade imposing, but the garden was overgrown, and the once-pristine flower beds were now wild. To the two women, however, this was merely the stage for their next coup.

Natalie, a slim, elegant woman with long black hair and piercing blue eyes, surveyed the house with a satisfied smile. Her dress, made of the finest fabric and expertly tailored, accentuated her figure and underscored the luxurious lifestyle that she and Leonie had financed over the years through their schemes. Beside her was Leonie, with brown hair and a more reserved appearance, though equally stylishly dressed. Together, they formed the perfect team—partners in love for eight years and accomplices in a series of elaborate cons. Now, they had their sights set on the frail, elderly millionaire Thomas.

“This will be easy,” Natalie whispered confidently as they approached the door.

Leonie nodded in agreement. “He’s old, sick, and lonely. He’ll be longing for someone to pay him attention.”

Natalie smiled coolly. “And that’s exactly what I’ll give him.”

Thomas, a 70-year-old man with gray hair and sagging skin, had lived alone and secluded in the house for years. His body was weak and ill; his days consisted of short walks in the garden and long hours in his armchair, watching the outside world through the windows. For years, only one person had genuinely cared for him—his young caregiver, Antonia.

Antonia was a 23-year-old woman with blonde hair, a petite figure, and a kind face. During her time as Thomas's caregiver, she had developed a close bond with him. Though he was much older, she had grown fond of him—not just as her patient, but as a friend. They often spent hours talking about life, his past successes, and the things he missed.

Recently, however, Antonia had noticed a shift in the house's atmosphere. Since Natalie and Leonie had been hired as house staff, Thomas had changed. He seemed increasingly fixated on Natalie, enthralled by her flattery and ignoring Antonia’s occasional, gentle concerns.

One quiet afternoon, as the sun began to set and bathed the garden in a warm, golden light, Thomas sat in his armchair, staring outside. Behind him, Natalie approached silently, her footsteps so soft that he barely noticed.

“Thomas, darling, do you need anything?” she asked sweetly, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. Her perfume was heavy and overwhelming, filling the room and enveloping him like a soft mist.

Thomas weakly raised his hand and shook his head. “No, Natalie, I’m just enjoying the view. It calms me.”

Natalie leaned forward slightly, her hair lightly brushing his cheek. “The view is beautiful, just like you.” Her voice was seductive, and Thomas smiled faintly, though he didn’t turn to look at her.

From the kitchen, Antonia watched the scene unfold. Her heart sank as she saw Natalie cozy up to the old man. She knew something was wrong. It wasn’t just the way Natalie treated him—it was the entire situation. Recently, Antonia had learned that Natalie and Thomas were planning to marry, and from that moment, she had felt that the two women harbored sinister intentions.

Late in the evening, when the estate was shrouded in an almost eerie silence, Thomas had already gone to bed, exhausted from another day of Natalie’s attention. But Antonia couldn’t sleep. Something gnawed at her—a sense of unease she couldn’t shake. For weeks, Natalie and Leonie had behaved oddly, and though they appeared loving and caring toward Thomas, Antonia suspected it was all a façade. That day, Natalie had spoken to Thomas about the wedding—a topic that deeply troubled Antonia.

Quietly, she crept through the dark hallways of the house, her steps barely audible. She was heading to the kitchen for a glass of water when she heard voices coming from the back corridor. She stopped abruptly and listened. It was Natalie and Leonie talking, their voices low but carrying a sharpness that caught Antonia’s attention.

“You’re almost there,” Leonie hissed softly. “In a few days, we’ll have it all. Once he’s married, everything will be ours.”

Antonia held her breath. She ducked behind a corner and peeked into the room where the voices came from. Natalie sat at the table with a glass of wine, Leonie standing in front of her. Both looked tense, as if discussing something critical.

“I know,” Natalie replied irritably, “but you nearly ruined it today. Antonia is watching us. Did you see how she looked at me when I brought up the wedding? I don’t trust her.”

Antonia’s heart raced as she heard her name. She felt her pulse pounding in her ears but forced herself to remain calm and keep listening.

“She’s just the caregiver,” Leonie said dismissively. “She can’t do anything to us. And even if she tries, what could she possibly do? The old man is too weak to do anything.”

“I know,” Natalie murmured, “but she’s persistent. She could be dangerous if she finds out too much.”

Leonie leaned back with a smug smile. “Then we’ll just make sure she doesn’t find out anything. Soon, everything will be ours. And once we have the money, we’ll make the old man disappear.”

Antonia’s breath caught in her throat. This was the proof she needed. Natalie and Leonie planned to rob Thomas of his fortune and had no intention of showing him even the slightest respect. Their words were cold and merciless. The marriage was nothing more than a means to an end, and once they had the money, they wouldn’t need him anymore. In that moment, Antonia knew she had to act.

But for now, she wasn’t safe. Antonia had to retreat unnoticed. Slowly and as quietly as possible, she backed away, trying to keep her panic under control. Every step felt like an eternity as she crept further into the darkness.

Back in her room, Antonia sank onto her bed, trying to collect her thoughts. There was no more doubt in her mind. Natalie and Leonie were nothing but fraudsters. But how could she prove it? How could she save Thomas without overwhelming him? The answer was clear: she needed to ask her mother, Petra, for help. The old spellbook would provide the solution she needed. These women deserved to face the consequences of their actions—and Antonia would make sure they’d never cheat anyone again.

Antonia drove along the familiar road to her mother’s small house. It was a long drive, but she knew she had no one else to turn to. The wind carried the last autumn leaves across the asphalt, and the dark clouds overhead seemed to mirror the urgency in her heart. The words she had overheard the previous night replayed in her mind over and over: "Soon, everything will be ours. And once we have the money, we’ll make the old man disappear."

She parked the car in front of the modest little house Petra had lived in for years. It was small, cozy, and filled with memories of Antonia's childhood. She took a deep breath as she climbed the steps to the door and knocked. Her hands trembled slightly, unsure how to begin or whether her mother could even help. But she had to try.

Petra opened the door with a gentle smile, but her eyes immediately revealed that she sensed the tension in her daughter. “Antonia, my dear, come in.” Without another word, she led Antonia into the living room, as warm and welcoming as always. The walls were lined with shelves full of books, and a quiet fire crackled in the corner.

Antonia sat on the old, soft sofa, placing her hands in her lap while Petra sat across from her. For a moment, there was silence before Antonia began to speak quietly.

“Mom, I don’t know how to say this…” Her voice trembled, and she felt tears welling up in her eyes. “It’s about Thomas. He’s in grave danger.”

Petra furrowed her brow, leaning forward to place her hand on her daughter’s. “What’s wrong, my dear? You seem like you’ve experienced something terrible.”

Antonia told her everything. She spoke about Natalie and Leonie, the false promises they made to Thomas, and the conversation she had overheard. As she spoke, she felt the weight on her shoulders grow heavier. When she finally finished, the room was filled with the gravity of the situation.

“Mom, I don’t know what to do,” she concluded, distraught. “I’m scared to tell Thomas the truth. It could kill him. But I can’t let these women destroy him.”

Petra sat silently for a moment, as though deep in thought. Then she leaned back and looked at Antonia seriously. “Antonia… I think there’s a way.”

Antonia looked at her mother in surprise. “A way? What do you mean?”

Petra sighed and stood up slowly, walking to one of the bookshelves. She pulled out an old, leather-bound book with thick, dark clasps holding it shut. “I haven’t used this book in over twenty years,” she said quietly, carefully laying it on the table. “It’s a spellbook. Magic that’s very powerful, but also dangerous.”

Antonia stared at the book with wide eyes. “A spellbook? What... what does that have to do with us?”

Petra sat back down, looking at her daughter earnestly. “It has everything to do with us. You don’t know about this because I never wanted you to learn about this darker side of my past. But now, with you in danger—with someone you care about at risk—I have to tell you the truth.”

Antonia could hardly believe what she was hearing, but she nodded, letting her mother continue.

“When you were still a baby,” Petra began slowly, “your father wasn’t the man I thought he was. He had an affair that hurt me deeply. I was young, angry, and... desperate. One day, I found out he was planning to leave me and run off with his mistress. I was alone with you, just a little baby, and I didn’t know how I would survive.”

Antonia felt her stomach tighten. She had never known much about her father, and now she understood why.

“In my desperation,” Petra continued, “I turned to this book.” She gently traced her fingers over the old leather, as if the memories it brought back were too powerful to ignore. “It contains ancient magic. And I... I used it. I turned your father and his mistress into little babies—forever. They were no longer able to betray or leave anyone. After I transformed them, I placed them in an orphanage. They’re still there, still helpless, still babies.”

Antonia gasped. “Mom... that can’t be true.”

Petra nodded solemnly. “It’s true. And since then, I’ve never touched this book again. Until now. Because if I had the power to stop them back then, I can help you stop these women now. You need to understand: this magic is powerful, and it comes at a cost. But it works. And if we want to keep Thomas safe, we can do to Natalie and Leonie what I did to your father. Permanently.”

Antonia sat in stunned silence. Her mother had kept such a secret her entire life. It was hard to process all of it—but a strange sense of calm washed over her. If it was truly possible to save Thomas, she had to act.

“And how exactly does it work?” she finally asked quietly.

Petra took a deep breath and gave a sad smile. “We’ll rejuvenate Natalie and Leonie on the day of the wedding. Thomas will regain his health and youth—he’ll become the man you could even fall in love with. But Natalie and Leonie? They’ll be turned into babies forever. No memories, no chance of ever becoming adults again. They’ll end up in a crib, exactly where their betrayal belongs.”

Antonia hesitated for a moment, then slowly nodded. It was a cruel but just punishment. “Alright. We’ll do it. For Thomas.”

The sun was high in the sky, and the garden of the estate was festively decorated. White ribbons fluttered gently in the breeze, and the guests—a small gathering of Thomas’s closest acquaintances and a handful of Natalie and Leonie’s “friends”—had taken their seats. The altar had been set up under a large, old tree, its branches forming a natural canopy over the ceremony. Everything seemed perfect, but Antonia felt her heart racing as the moment drew closer.

She stood at the edge of the garden, hidden among the tall bushes, watching as Natalie, draped in a radiant white wedding dress, was surrounded by Leonie and two other “friends.” Natalie looked stunning—her black hair glistened in the sunlight, and her dress was luxurious and expensive, just as she had always wanted. Yet behind this image of perfection lay something dark. Antonia knew this was the moment they had been working toward.

In her hand, Antonia held two vials—one for Thomas and one for Natalie. Now, timing was everything.

Thomas stood a few meters away, frail and tired but happy. He looked nervous, but his smile showed he had been anticipating this moment. Antonia approached him, her hands trembling, and offered him a glass of champagne into which she had discreetly mixed the potion. “Thomas,” she said softly, “you should drink this before the ceremony. It’ll do you good.”

Thomas smiled gratefully and took the glass, suspecting nothing. With a quiet sigh, he raised the glass to his lips and slowly drank its contents.

Antonia felt the tension in her body ease slightly. The first part of the plan had succeeded. Now she had to give Natalie her dose.

She walked over to the bride, who was being admired by her companions. “Natalie,” Antonia said kindly, holding up another glass of champagne, “I wanted to give you something before the ceremony. A little charm for your special day.”

Natalie accepted the glass with a coquettish smile, eyeing Antonia warily for a moment. But then she raised the glass and clinked it with Leonie’s. “To us,” she said softly and took a deep sip.

Antonia watched her with a knot in her stomach. Everything was ready. The wedding could begin.

Natalie turned, the long train of her bridal gown trailing elegantly behind her as she walked with her head held high toward the altar. Her smile radiated confidence as the music played softly in the background and all eyes were on her.

Antonia took a deep breath. The potion had been administered. Now, the ritual could commence.

The pastor began the ceremony with solemn words when suddenly something unusual happened. Thomas, who had stood hunched and weak at the altar just moments before, began to change. His gray hair darkened, his sunken cheeks filled out, and he straightened up as his wrinkles slowly disappeared. The guests murmured in astonishment, some stepping back as they witnessed the transformation before their very eyes. Thomas, who had previously struggled to stand, was now turning into a healthy, robust man in his twenties.

“What… what’s happening to me?” Thomas whispered, staring at his hands in disbelief. His voice was deeper, stronger—almost as if he had forgotten what it felt like to be young and vigorous. He touched his face, his eyes widening in wonder. “This… this can’t be!”

Antonia, standing nearby, stepped closer and spoke softly. “Thomas, you’ve been saved. The magic has given you your youth back.”

Thomas turned to look at the mirror beside the garden, barely recognizing the man staring back at him. A smile spread across his face, but before he could respond, the next event unfolded.

Natalie, resplendent in her luxurious white gown, began to feel changes in her body as well. At first, a triumphant smile spread across her lips as she noticed her skin smoothing out and her features becoming younger. She felt as though she were twenty again—young, beautiful, and invincible.

“Look at me!” she exclaimed joyfully, raising her hands. “I’m young again! It’s perfect!”

But her triumph was short-lived. Her joy quickly turned to confusion as her hands began to tremble. “What…?” she stammered as her fingers suddenly grew smaller, almost childlike. Her arms thinned, and her legs began to shrink. The luxurious wedding dress that had hugged her body perfectly started to sag as her frame diminished.

“What’s happening to me?” Her voice, once filled with excitement, now carried panic and fear as her body continued to shrink. “No! This can’t be! I’m young! I… I’m 35!” Her words turned hysterical as her body regressed further. “Thomas! Help me!”

Thomas turned to her, horrified, his eyes widening. “Natalie, what…? What’s happening to you?”

Natalie’s legs grew shorter and her feet slipped out of the elegant bridal heels. She stumbled as the weight of the gown began to overwhelm her. She sank into the layers of fabric, her arms too short to free herself. Her hands flailed desperately in the air, but there was nothing she could do.

“No! This can’t be happening!” she cried out, but her voice grew higher until it sounded like a plaintive whine. Her face now resembled that of a small child, her eyes wide and filled with fear. “I’m not… a baby!” Her words broke off into sobs, and her cries turned into helpless baby sounds. “Waaaah! Waaaaaaah!”

The guests stared in shock, some women covering their mouths in disbelief. Thomas, now regaining control of his rejuvenated body, could only watch in horror. “Natalie… No, this can’t be true! What have you done?” He was horrified and utterly confused, not only by his own transformation but also by Natalie’s.

Antonia stepped forward and spoke firmly. “Thomas, this is the punishment for her greed. She deceived you, and the magic revealed her true self. She will no longer be the woman who tried to exploit you.”

Natalie, now barely visible beneath the layers of her bridal gown, whimpered and kicked helplessly. Small, uncoordinated movements betrayed her desperation as she tried to escape the dress. “Waaaaah! Waaah!” Her little hands flailed helplessly in the air, and soon, a small infant, swaddled in a thick white diaper, emerged from the layers of the bridal gown. Natalie, now only a baby, whimpered softly as she tried to clutch the fabric in desperation. Her mind was still that of a 35-year-old woman, but her body was that of a helpless infant—small, fragile, and utterly dependent.

“No…” she whispered in her mind, but no words left her lips, only helpless baby sounds. “Waaaaah!”

Antonia leaned down and gently picked up the baby Natalie. “Her body is now that of a baby,” she explained calmly to the stunned guests. “But her mind will remain that of an adult for just one week. She’ll still know who she is for a short time, but that will soon fade.”

Leonie, who had been watching the entire scene with wide eyes, felt her blood run cold. The transformation of her partner and lover left her frozen in fear. She knew she was next, and panic set in.

“I... I have to get out of here!” she blurted, spinning around and rushing toward the garden’s exit. But she didn’t get far. Petra and Martha, Thomas’s younger sister, stepped into her path, and before she could fight back, she was restrained by Tanja and Luna, Martha’s grown daughters.

“Let me go! You can’t do this!” Leonie screamed, kicking frantically. Her voice was filled with desperation and terror. “I... I don’t want this!”

“It’s too late, Leonie,” Petra said calmly, pulling out the second vial of rejuvenation potion. “You’ll meet the same fate as Natalie. There’s no escape.”

“No! You have no right to do this!” Leonie shrieked, struggling violently against Tanja and Luna’s firm grip. But it was no use—Petra held the vial to her lips and forced Leonie to drink.

Leonie coughed and tried to spit out the potion, but it was too late. She immediately felt changes coursing through her body. “No… NO!” she screamed as her legs began to shrink, her arms grew smaller, and her voice became thinner and higher.

“You can’t… you can’t… I’m not…” Her last words dissolved into babbling. “Waaaah! Waaah!” Her large, panicked eyes darted around as she continued to shrink, disappearing into her clothing, which now engulfed her like a blanket. Her body had become tiny—a helpless baby, wearing nothing but a thick diaper.

Leonie’s thoughts raced in her mind. “I’m not weak! I’m not helpless!” she thought desperately as she felt her mind clinging to her identity. But her tiny body didn’t respond to her will. Her arms and legs flailed, her little fists waved wildly, and her cries turned into incoherent baby sounds. “Waaaah! Waaaah!” She could still think clearly, but the panic was overwhelming. She knew it was only a matter of time before her mind fully regressed into that of a baby.

“It’s over,” Antonia said calmly, addressing the shocked guests. “Leonie and Natalie have received the punishment they deserve. They tried to exploit Thomas, to take everything he had, and then discard him. But now, they are the helpless ones. Natalie will no longer remember who she was in just a week, and Leonie will follow shortly after.”

The guests stared at the two crying babies lying on the ground. Some held their breath, while others whispered in disbelief. Before them were once two confident, manipulative women, now reduced to helpless infants in diapers.

The pastor, regaining her composure, stepped forward again, glancing at the crying babies with a mix of confusion and astonishment. She then turned her attention back to Thomas and Antonia. “Thomas and Antonia,” she began with a gentle smile, “do you still wish to proceed with the ceremony?”

Thomas looked at Antonia, his eyes filled with gratitude and affection. “Yes,” he said softly, “I do.”

Antonia smiled back, her heart full. “And I do as well.”

The pastor nodded, her voice carrying a newfound warmth. “Then I pronounce you husband and wife.”

The guests erupted in applause as Thomas pulled Antonia into his arms, kissing her deeply. Their love had triumphed, and they were finally united as husband and wife. Meanwhile, in the background, the cries of the two babies, Natalie and Leonie, echoed softly, unable to disrupt the joy of the moment.

After the wedding festivities had died down, the two babies, Natalie and Leonie, lay on a soft blanket in the corner of the garden, now dressed in fresh diapers and baby clothes. They gurgled and squirmed, their helpless cries gradually fading as they settled into their new lives.

Petra, observing them closely, smirked. “Well, it seems these little ones have found their true place in life.”

Martha nodded, bouncing Natalie gently in her arms. “And it’s a life they’ll never escape. They’ll never manipulate or harm anyone again.”

Thomas and Antonia joined them, glancing at the babies. Antonia sighed. “We can’t take care of both of them ourselves. We have a life to build together.”

Petra nodded. “I’ll take Leonie. She’s my responsibility now. After all, I’m the one who brought the magic into play.”

Martha smiled. “And I’ll look after Natalie. She tried to exploit my brother, and I won’t let her off the hook. She’ll be safe but under strict care.”

The decision was made. The two former women, now babies, would be cared for separately, each in the arms of someone who would ensure they could never harm another soul.

As the evening came to a close, Petra and Martha cradled their new charges, who were now babbling and giggling, their former lives and ambitions long forgotten. For Natalie and Leonie, the story had ended—they were babies in mind, body, and soul, destined to live out their days in innocent dependence.

Natalie and Leonie’s journey as manipulators had come to an end. In their place were two helpless infants, reminders of the justice that had been served. Thomas and Antonia began their new life together, free from deceit, while Petra and Martha took on the roles of caregivers to the two babies, ensuring their futures would be nothing like their pasts.

Justice had been delivered, and peace restored.