Chapter 1: The Wedding Bargain

I stared at the deed to the house—my hands trembling, coffee cooling on the kitchen counter. This was supposed to be security for Natalie, my way of buying her a safe start. Instead, all I could think about was how fast it might slip through our fingers.

Today was the day the in-laws were coming to talk about the wedding. The house buzzed with nervous energy: blinds open to catch the golden September light, the fridge humming beside the scent of banana bread and frying bacon, every corner scrubbed until it gleamed. My mom—who’d baked that banana bread—moved with anxious purpose, wanting everything perfect for Natalie’s big moment.

Natalie bounced into the kitchen, grinning, orange segments in hand. She hooked her arm around mine and gave me that old mischievous look.

"Hey, Dad, you’re not gonna forget your big promises, right? House, car, the works? You’ll miss me when I’m gone!"

Juice dripped down her chin as she laughed, voice teasing but a little hopeful, the way she used to when she wanted something just out of reach. For a second, I almost believed we could all be happy.

But my mind flashed back to everything I’d lost—and everything I was about to risk again.

My mom, ever the peacemaker, slid a piece of bacon into Natalie’s mouth. "You know your dad’s going to be lost without you. He was up half the night in here, just staring at your baby pictures. And don’t worry about the wedding—he’s got it all handled."

Her words were gentle, but her eyes flicked to mine, asking if I was really ready for this. I tried to smile, but it felt thin, brittle.

Natalie’s face lit up as she threw her arms around me, squeezing so tight I almost spilled my coffee. "Thank you, Dad, you’re the best!"

She held on like she never wanted to let go. I closed my eyes and breathed in the citrus and sugar on her hair, letting myself forget, for just a second, all the pain and disappointment that haunted me.

My mom swatted at Natalie, mock-annoyed. "You’re getting married, but you’re still glued to your dad."

She tried to scold, but couldn’t hide her pride. Our little family had always stuck together, through every pancake breakfast and late-night Monopoly game.

But as Natalie let go, I caught myself staring at her, cold and distant. Twenty-four years raising this girl, and now I was left with only memories of everything that had gone wrong. I stepped out onto the porch, flicked my lighter, and watched the smoke curl into the early fall sky.

The porch boards creaked under my boots. I pulled my flannel tighter and listened to kids skateboarding down Maple Street, their laughter echoing. I wondered if Natalie would ever understand the depth of a father’s disappointment.

In another life, Natalie had handed over the house and car I bought her, stolen my identity for loans, and bled my mother’s savings dry. Mom died, alone, in her fifties—her medicine money gone. Every time I remembered, my fists clenched, rage and heartbreak fighting for control. How could the girl I’d loved so fiercely become someone I barely recognized?

Sometimes, in the dead of night, I replayed every sacrifice—every rainy drive to SAT tutoring, every late night spent fixing her science projects, every scraped knee I kissed better. I always thought love would be enough. Maybe I was wrong.

A chill slipped under my collar. I hugged myself, watching the leaves drift down. Life kept moving, no matter how much you wanted to freeze it.

Just then, Derek and his mother, Janice, pulled up in a battered Subaru, the kind with faded bumper stickers and an engine that rattled like a shopping cart. Derek’s suit looked two sizes too big. Janice marched up the walk, clutching a floral notebook, eyes sharp as she took in our house.

Mom offered sweet tea and her best smile, trying to set everyone at ease. But Janice barely glanced at her. She made a beeline for Natalie, grabbed her ear, and barked, "You still can’t cook? If you can’t handle the basics, how are you gonna keep this family together?"

Janice’s voice sliced through the kitchen like a knife. Natalie flinched, cheeks burning, and ducked behind me. The room went still, tension stretching tight. Around here, folks keep their family drama private—but Janice seemed to enjoy the spectacle.

Natalie yelped, breaking away to hide at my side. I remembered the last time I’d seen this scene, all the shouting and heartbreak that followed. This time, I bit my tongue. Natalie needed to see what she was marrying into.

She pleaded with her eyes, but I forced a polite smile. "She’s right, Natalie. Once you’re married, you have to step up. Learn from your future mother-in-law—don’t act like a kid forever."

My words were cold, but Natalie barely noticed—her gaze locked on Derek. Mom looked ready to jump in, but I shook my head. Sometimes, the only way out is through.

Derek just stood there, silent and awkward. Natalie, desperate for his approval, nodded quickly.

Janice grinned, her wrinkles deepening. "Since you said so, I’ll read out the Lewis family’s rules for a daughter-in-law."

She pulled her notebook from her purse, smoothing her skirt like she was about to announce something official. The air in the room crackled with dread.