“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.

Distant. I nodded. His parents were already seated.

Robert and Patricia Ashworth. Robert had silver hair, perfectly styled, wearing a suit that probably cost more than my truck’s monthly payment. Patricia wore pearls and a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“You must be Emma’s father,” Patricia said, extending a hand adorned with rings that caught the light. “We’ve heard so much about you.”

I doubted that was true, but I shook her hand anyway. “Pleased to meet you both.”

We settled into our seats and almost immediately I felt it—that subtle shift in the air that happens when people are making judgments.

Robert’s eyes flickered over my suit, my worn watch, my hands that no amount of scrubbing could completely clean of the honest dirt that accumulates from a lifetime of work. The conversation started safely enough: Derek’s job as an investment banker at Thornton Financial, Emma’s work as an accountant at a midsized firm, Robert’s position as a senior VP at a tech company in Vancouver, Patricia’s charity work. I mostly listened, answering questions when asked, but not volunteering much.

This was Emma’s night, and I was just there to support her. “So, Thomas,” Robert said, leaning back in his chair with a glass of wine. “Emma mentioned you’re retired.

What did you do before?”

“Construction,” I said simply. “Ah.” That one syllable carried volumes. Hard work, I imagine.

“Honest work,” I corrected gently. Patricia jumped in, probably sensing the tension. “And you live in Atobico?”

“Yes.”

“Such a charming area.

Very traditional.”

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