“Dad, I’d like you to meet someone. Shes going to be my wifeyour daughter-in-law.”
Marius beamed with joy as he stepped forward. “Dad, this is my fiancée, Emily!”
The professor, Dr. Richard Hawthorne, blinked in shock. “What?! If this is a joke, its in very poor taste.” His eyes flickered with disgust at the dirt under Emilys nails, the rough hands of a woman who seemed to have no notion of soap and water.
*Good Lord, at least my dear Margaret never lived to see this disgrace. We raised him with better manners than this.*
“Its not a joke,” Marius said firmly. “Emilys moving in, and were getting married in three months. If you dont want to be at the wedding, fineIll manage without you.”
“Hello!” Emily smiled warmly and marched toward the kitchen. “I brought steak and ale pie, blackberry jam, dried mushrooms” She rummaged through her worn satchel, listing the contents.
Richard clutched his chest as she smeared jam across the pristine white tablecloth.
“Marius! Snap out of it! If this is revenge, its *cruel*where on earth did you find this clueless girl? She is *not* staying under my roof!”
“I love Emily. And my wife has every right to live in *my* home!” Marius smirked, defiance burning in his eyes.
Richard knew he was being mocked. Without another word, he turned and retreated to his study.
Things had changed since Margarets death. Marius had spiraleddropping out of university, speaking to his father with insolence, living recklessly. Richard had hoped, foolishly, that his son would return to the bright, disciplined man he once was. But with each passing day, the gulf between them widened. And now thisbringing home some country girl with no refinement, no grace.
Their wedding came and went. Richard refused to attend. He seethed, watching a woman so unlike his elegant Margaret take her place. Emily tried, bless her, to win him overbut every attempt only worsened his disdain.
Marius, playing the devoted husband, soon slipped back into drinking, his raucous arguments with Emily filling the house. Richard listened, secretly hoping she would leave.
Then came the night she burst into his study, tears in her eyes.
“Richard, your son wants a divorcehes throwing me out, and Im *pregnant*!”
“First of all, why the streets? Surely you have family to return to. And your condition doesnt grant you the right to stay after a separation.” His voice was cold, but inside, he rejoiced. Finally, this nuisance would be gone.
Emily packed in silence, bewildered by the hatred Richard had shown her from the start. She couldnt fathom why Marius had treated her so cruellylike a dog to be abandoned. Did being from the countryside make her less human? Did she not have a heart?
***
Eight years passed.
Richard lived in a care home now, frail and forgotten. Marius, ever the opportunist, had wasted no time in committing him thereless trouble that way.
He had long made peace with his fate. A life spent teaching thousands about kindness, respect, dutyyet he had failed his own son. Letters from former students still arrived, full of gratitude. But family? Family was beyond repair.
“Richard, youve got a visitor,” his roommate announced after returning from a walk.
“What? Marius?” His voice cracked, though he knew it impossible. His son despised him.
“No idea. Just said to tell you. Well? Go on, then!”
With a shaky grip on his cane, Richard shuffled toward the lounge. Halfway down the hall, he saw her.
“Hello, Emily,” he murmured, voice barely audible. His head bowed with shame.
“Richard!” The elegant woman gasped. “Youve changed. Are you ill?”
“A little,” he admitted. “How did you find me?”
“Marius mentioned it. He still refuses to speak to his son. But the boyJonhe *begs* to see his grandfather. Hes *not* to blame for your rejection.” Her voice trembled. “Forgive me, I shouldnt have come.”
“Wait!” Richard pleaded. “How is he? The last photo you sent he was only three.”
“Hes here, by the entrance. Should I fetch him?”
“Yes*yes*!”
A boy with russet hair, the very image of a young Marius, stepped in. Jon hesitated, then approached the grandfather he had never known.
“Hello, lad,” Richard choked out, pulling him close. “Look how youve grown”
They talked for hours, strolling through the autumn-kissed park beside the home. Emily spoke of her strugglesher mothers early death, raising Jon alone, tending the farm with no one to lean on.
“Im sorry, Emily,” Richard whispered. “I was a fool. All my education, my prideyet I never valued kindness, sincerity. Not until it was too late.”
“Richard we have an offer.” Emilys fingers twisted nervously. “Come live with us. Youre alone. *Were* alone. Jon and I wed love to have family close.”
“Grandad, *please*!” Jon tugged at his sleeve. “We can go fishing, mushroom hunting! The countrysides beautifuland theres plenty of room!”
Richard smiled, tears glistening. “Lets go. I failed with Marius but perhaps I can do better this time. BesidesIve never lived in the country. Might be nice.”
Jon grinned. “Youll *love* it!”
