Victor Grigoryevich tailed Oleg so expertly that he never noticed—after all, Victor had spent years in the field, a true professional at his craft!

Victor Gregory had been keeping an eye on Oliver without him noticing. With years of experience in his line of work, Victor was nothing if not professional. So far, there had been no red flagsOliver never brought anyone home or acted suspiciously. But Victor knew better than to let his guard down. Sooner or later, Oliver would slip up. His intuition had never failed him before.

This mattered deeply to Victor because it was personal. It concerned him, his family. He remembered fondly the days when little Emily was just a child. When she was born, Victor had been disappointedhed hoped for a son. Not that hed ever let it show, but deep down, it nagged at him. A daughter! A man of his standing, and now he had a girl instead of a boy. Who would he talk to, man to man, when times got tough? Who would he teach, shape into a proper person?

But thenah, wella daughter it was. Hed married late, always too wrapped up in work, and his intensity had driven women away. Then he met LucyLucy, who was nearly forty herself. Too late now for dreams of a son.

And then the unexpected happened. Without even realising it, Victor found himself utterly charmed by his little girl. The first time she smiled at him, tiny fingers gripping his nose, he was done for. When she took wobbly steps, suddenly excited, and ran to him crying, “Daddy, Daddy!”Victor scooped her up, holding her close. Thats when he knew: her happiness was now the most important thing in his life. His little girl, his bright starhed never let anyone hurt her.

Lucy would laugh, “Vic, you spoil us!” And he did, showering his girls with gifts, basking in their joy.

How had Emily grown up so fast? It felt like yesterday shed clutched his hand, toddling beside him on the way to nursery, tilting her little head up at him. “Daddy, youre so tall! Will you buy me a teddy? Please?” The way she looked at him made him feel invincible. Now shed finished school, enrolled in university part-time, and started working. “Dad, its time I stand on my own feet,” shed said. “Experience matters more than waiting around.” And Victor swelled with pridehis Emily was so clever.

Then, one evening, Lucy baked a pie, eyes twinkling with secrets. Victor wondered if the girls were planning to ask him for something. But noit was something else entirely. “Dad,” Emily smiled, brushing invisible dust from his shoulder. “Id like you and Mum to meet someone. Dont freak out. Olivers lovelywere thinking of getting married. Ive invited him over for tea tonight. Oh, thats him at the door!”

Lucy answered first. “Good evening! Do come in. Im Lucy, and this is Emilys father, Victor Gregory.” Victor nodded, shook Olivers hand, his mouth dry. This man had come to take his little girl away. A stranger, stealing his Emily!

Another voice in his head arguedwhat did you expect? Dont you want her happy? The lad seems decent, firm handshake. Did you think shed live with you forever?

But Victor refused to listen. Oliver wasnt good enoughend of story. A plan formed in his mind. Hed investigate, make sure this boy deserved his daughter.

For weeks, he waited. After Oliver walked Emily home, Victor would follow in his work car, telling Lucy it was overtime. What if Oliver had another girl? What if he wasnt what he seemed? Theyd already filed the noticeEmily was sewing her dress, Lucy planning the guest list.

Then, one evening, Victor saw it. A woman with a little girl approached Olivers flat. He kissed her, took her bag, held the childs handthen vanished inside. Just as Victor suspected! Though, part of him had started to like Oliver. He reminded Victor of his younger selfopen, honest. Had he let his profession cloud his judgment?

Emily greeted him cheerfully. “Dad, our weddings in a week! Oliver and I booked the venue today. Im so happy!” Victor stared, guilt twisting in his chest. He felt ashamed for spying on the man his daughter loved. Then Emily added, “Olivers parents arrive tomorrow. Theyll come round in the evening. Tonight, his sister and niece are visitingNatalies from out of town. Her husbands away on business.”

At the wedding, Victor danced with Lucy like a young man again. Hed decidedenough suspicion. Mixing work and life was foolish.

A year later, Emily gave birth to a grandsonlittle Charlie. The new grandfather even shed a tear. Dreams really did come true. Now he had someone to share manly talks with, to teachOliver had turned out to be a fine lad after all. And Charlie? Soon hed be talking, walking before they knew it. This was lifes true joy.

As for the time hed spent tailing Oliver? Victor resolved never to mention it. Trust was everything when it came to family.