I stopped receiving invitations to our family gatherings and was heartbroken when I accidentally discovered the reason

I STOPPED BEING INVITED TO ALL FAMILY GATHERINGS & WAS SHATTERED TO FIND OUT WHY
My husband and I are a young couple, hustling hard to build our future. We’re always swamped with work, so making it to all my family’s events has been tough, but we’ve tried our best to be there.
Then, out of the blue, the invites just stopped. At first, I thought it was a one-time thing, but as it kept happening, I got a little suspicious. So, I asked my mom, and she brushed it off, saying, “Those gatherings aren’t a big deal, and everyone knows how busy you two are.”
That put my mind at ease—until I bumped into my Aunt Linda at the store.
“Emily! Wow, what a surprise!” she said, beaming.
“Aunt Linda!” I practically squealed, “I’ve missed you so much! How have you been?”
“I’m good, sweetheart. I was just at a little get-together the family threw for me. Such a shame you and Alex couldn’t be there.”
My heart sank. “A get-together? We didn’t hear anything about it.”
“Oh, that’s odd. But, Emily, there’s something I need to ask you—something important.”
“Of course, Aunt Linda. What is it?” I replied, bracing myself for whatever was coming.
She took a deep breath and asked, “Is what I heard about you true?”
I was shattered when I heard her next words.

My husband Alex and I have always been busy with our careers, but we’ve tried to stay connected with family. Lately, though, I noticed my family pulling away. It hurt, but I thought it might just be the strain of missed gatherings. Then, during a chance meeting with my Aunt Linda, I learned the shocking truth: my parents had been spreading a baseless rumor that Alex and I were scammers.

Confronting my parents only deepened the heartbreak. They insisted I had said such things, which I never had. Attempts to resolve it went nowhere. Their actions not only disrespected me but stereotyped Alex, deeply straining our relationship.

With no choice but to step back, I’ve distanced myself, despite Aunt Linda urging me to forgive them. I’m not sure if keeping my distance is the right choice, but I know I need space to protect myself and my husband from further hurt.