Dad, Meet the Love of My Life—Soon to Be Your Daughter-in-Law.

“Dad, meet my future wife, your daughter-in-law, Emily!” beamed Marcus, his face glowing with happiness.

“What?!” exclaimed Professor Richard Ashworth, PhD, completely taken aback. “If this is a joke, its not the slightest bit funny.”

The older man eyed Emilys rough hands and the dirt under her fingernails with disgust. To him, she looked as if shed never heard of soap and water.

*Good Lord, thank heavens my dear Eleanor isnt alive to see this disgrace! We raised this boy with the finest manners,* he thought bitterly.

“This isnt a joke!” Marcus declared boldly. “Emilys moving in with us, and were getting married in three months. If you dont want to come to the wedding, Ill manage without you!”

“Hello!” Emily flashed a warm smile and headed straight to the kitchen. “Ive brought pasties, blackberry jam, dried mushrooms” She listed off the contents of her worn-out bag.

Richard clutched his chest as he watched her spill jam on the pristine white tablecloth.

“Marcus! Snap out of it! If this is revenge, its beyond cruel Where on earth did you find this simpleton? I wont have her staying in my house!” the professor shouted.

“I love Emily. And my wife has every right to live in *my* home!” Marcus smirked mockingly.

Richard realised his son was toying with him. Without another word, he stormed off to his room.

Lately, things between them had changed drastically. After his mothers death, Marcus had become uncontrollabledropping out of university, speaking rudely to his father, and living a reckless, carefree life.

Richard had hoped his son would change, that hed return to the bright, kind young man he once was. But with each passing day, Marcus drifted further away. And now, hed brought this country girl into their home. Richard knew hed never approve of this choice, so Marcus had deliberately chosen the one woman his father would never understand

Soon after, Marcus and Emily married. Richard refused to attend the wedding and wanted nothing to do with his unwanted daughter-in-law. He fumed at the thought of Eleanora refined homemakerbeing replaced by this uneducated girl who could barely string two words together.

Emily, ignoring her father-in-laws disdain, tried to win him over but only made things worse. Richard saw nothing good in heronly ignorance and bad manners.

Marcus, after a brief pretence of responsibility, slipped back into drinking and wild nights. Richard often overheard their arguments, secretly pleased, hoping Emily would finally leave.

“Richard, your son wants a divorce, and hes throwing me out! And Im expecting a child!” Emily burst in one day, tears in her eyes.

“First of all, why the street? Surely you have somewhere to go And being pregnant doesnt give you the right to stay here after a divorce. Im sorry, but I wont interfere,” Richard replied, privately relieved to be rid of her.

Crushed, Emily packed her things, baffled by her father-in-laws hatred. Why had Marcus treated her so cruelly, like a stray dog to be abandoned? Just because she was from the countryside didnt mean she had no heart

***

Eight years passed Richard now lived in a care home. His health had declined sharply, and Marcus had swiftly arranged his placement to avoid responsibility.

The old man had accepted his fate, knowing there was no turning back. Hed spent his life teaching thousands about love, respect, and kindnessletters of gratitude still arrived from former students. Yet his own son remained a failure

“Richard, youve got visitors,” his roommate announced after a stroll.

“What? Marcus?” Richard blurted, though he knew it was impossible. His son despised him.

“Dunno. They asked for you. Why sit here? Go see!” the neighbour chuckled.

Richard grabbed his cane and shuffled toward the small, damp lounge. Halfway down the corridor, he recognised her.

“Hello, Emily,” he murmured, lowering his head. The guilt still weighed on himhed failed that honest, simple girl all those years ago.

“Richard! Youve changed so much Are you ill?”

“A little” He gave a sad smile. “How did you find me?”

“Marcus mentioned it. He still refuses to speak to his son. But the boy keeps asking about his father and grandfather Jon isnt to blame for your rejection. He needs family. Its just us now” Her voice trembled. “Im sorry, I shouldnt have come.”

“Wait!” Richard pleaded. “How is Jon? The last photo you sent, he was only three.”

“Hes here, by the entrance. Shall I call him?”

“Of course!”

A shy boy with chestnut haira perfect miniature of Marcusapproached cautiously.

“Hello, son. Youve grown so tall” Richard choked up, hugging his grandson.

They talked for hours, strolling through the autumn leaves in the care homes garden. Emily spoke of her strugglesher mothers early death, raising Jon alone, managing the farm.

“Forgive me, Emily. I was wrong. I thought myself wise, educated, but only lately have I understoodpeople should be judged by their heart, not their breeding.”

“Richard, weve an offer,” Emily said nervously. “Come live with us! Youre alone, and so are we Wed love to have family nearby.”

“Grandad, please! Well go fishing, mushroom picking The village is beautiful, and theres plenty of space!” Jon tugged at his hand.

“Lets go!” Richard grinned. “I failed with Marcusmaybe I can give Jon what I never gave him. Besides, Ive never lived in the countryside. Might be just the thing!”

“Youll love it!” Jon laughed.