“You Simply Don’t Understand Our World,” My Daughter’s Fiancé Smirked At The Engagement Party. I Didn’t Argue. I Just Smiled… And Made One Call To My Lawyer. Within Days, He Lost His Biggest Client. He Learned Too Late Who I Really Was.

And I thought about Sarah, about what she’d say if she were here. She’d probably tell me to give Derek time, that people can change, that maybe he was just nervous and overcompensating. But Sarah had always seen the best in people.

I’d learned to see what was actually there. I drove home through the dark Toronto streets, past the cann tower lit up against the night sky, past the glittering condos and trendy restaurants and all the markers of a city that had changed so much since I first arrived here 45 years ago with nothing but a tool belt and determination. My phone buzzed at a red light.

Emma. “Dad, I’m so sorry about tonight. Derek can be intense sometimes.

He just wants to make a good impression.”

“He did,” I said, and it was true. He’d made an impression, just not the one he’d intended. “His parents are… they’re used to a certain lifestyle.

But that doesn’t mean they’re not good people. And Derek, he really loves me, Dad. He wants to give me everything.”

“I know, sweetheart.”

“And about the wedding contribution, you really don’t have to.”

“I know money is probably tight on your pension.”

There it was again.

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