“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.

But each time the conversation would slide back to Dererick’s world, like water finding its level. By the time dessert arrived—some deconstructed something-or-other that looked more like art than food—I’d made a decision. I wasn’t going to fit into their evening.

I wasn’t even going to try. “This has been lovely,” I said, setting down my napkin. “But I should probably head home.

Early morning tomorrow.”

“Oh, Dad, no,” Emma protested. “We haven’t even talked about the engagement party yet.”

“Engagement party?” Yes. Patricia brightened.

“We’re hosting it at our country club in Vancouver. Just a small gathering. 70, 80 people.

We’ll fly Emma out, of course. And you’re welcome to join if you’d like to make the trip.”

Welcome to join. Not expected.

Not insisted upon. Welcome if I’d like to make the trip. “I’ll check my calendar,” I said, standing.

Dererick stood too, hand extended. “Thanks for coming, Thomas. Really means a lot to Emma that you could make it.”

Could make it, as if I might not have been able to afford the time away from my retirement, my birdhouse hobby.

I shook his hand anyway, hugged Emma, nodded to Robert and Patricia, and I left. The elevator ride down felt longer than the ride up. I stood alone in the mirrored box, watching myself descend.

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