Chapter 2: The Father Who Came Back
Daniel spent most of Saturday morning staring at his laptop.
The information wasn't complete, but it was enough to make him uneasy.
Marcus Reed had previously operated a small construction business. The company had closed after a series of unpaid debts and legal disputes.
There was also a civil lawsuit involving a former business partner.
Daniel printed the information and placed it inside a folder.
He didn't want to accuse anyone without evidence.
But he wanted to understand why Marcus had suddenly returned.
At eleven thirty, Olivia walked into the kitchen wearing an oversized sweatshirt.
“Are you seriously still looking at that?””
Daniel closed the laptop.
“Looking at what?””
She pointed toward the folder.
“Marcus.””
“Olivia, we need to talk.””
“About what?””
“About the man who's going to walk you down the aisle.””
Her expression hardened.
“Not this again.””
Daniel took a breath.
“I found some information about him.””
“Congratulations.””
“His business went bankrupt. He has outstanding debts. There's a lawsuit involving money he allegedly took from a partner.””
Olivia laughed without humor.
“So?””
“So I think you should be careful.””
“Careful of my own father?””
“Careful of someone you barely know.””
She snatched the folder from the counter.
“You've been researching him behind my back?””
“I was trying to protect you.””
“From what? Having a relationship with my biological father?””
Daniel stood.
“From making a decision you'll regret.””
Olivia tossed the folder onto the counter.
“You know what? Maybe you're the one who can't accept that not everything revolves around Richard.””
Daniel stared at her.
“That's not fair.””
“Neither is making me feel guilty for wanting my real family.””
The phrase struck him.
Real family.
Daniel looked down at the engagement ring on her finger.
“I hope you know what you're doing,” he said.
Olivia grabbed her purse.
“I do.””
The door slammed behind her.
That afternoon, Marcus invited Olivia to lunch at an upscale restaurant downtown.
He was already seated when she arrived.
He stood, kissed her cheek, and pulled out her chair.
“There she is. My beautiful girl.””
Olivia smiled.
“You didn't have to make such a big deal.””
“Of course I did.””
He ordered for both of them before she had even opened the menu.
While they waited, he asked about the wedding.
“Have you decided who's giving the speech?””
“Richard is.””
Marcus frowned.
“Really?””
“Yeah. He's been planning it for months.””
Marcus took a sip of water.
“I see.””
Olivia noticed his expression.
“What's wrong?””
“Nothing. I just thought I'd be included in some of those things.””
“You are included.””
“Am I?””
She reached across the table.
“Marcus, I want you there.””
He gave her hand a squeeze.
“Then I need to tell you something.””
Her smile faded.
“What?””
“I've been having a difficult time financially.””
Olivia blinked.
“Okay.””
“I had some investments that didn't work out. A few business problems. Nothing I can't fix.””
She waited.
Marcus leaned back.
“I'm not asking you for anything. I just don't want you to think I'm avoiding certain wedding events because I don't care.””
“Why would I think that?””
“Because I can't afford to compete with what Richard is doing.””
Olivia felt uncomfortable.
“There's no competition.””
Marcus nodded.
“Good. Because I don't want money to come between us.””
The irony would have been obvious to anyone who knew what he would ask next.
But Olivia didn't know him well enough to recognize it.
Two days later, Marcus came to Richard's house.
Richard was in the backyard trimming a row of hedges when he heard the doorbell.
Margaret opened the door.
Marcus stood on the porch holding a small gift bag.
“Good afternoon,” he said.
Margaret looked at him carefully.
“Can I help you?””
“I'm Marcus. Olivia's father.””
Margaret didn't move.
“I know who you are.””
His smile tightened.
“May I come in?””
She stepped aside.
Richard entered the hallway a moment later, wiping his hands on a gardening towel.
When he saw Marcus, his expression became unreadable.
“Marcus.””
“Richard.””
They shook hands.
It was a brief, stiff gesture.
Marcus looked around the house.
“Nice place.””
“Thank you.””
“I've heard you've done very well for yourself.””
Richard folded the towel.
“I've worked hard.””
Marcus nodded.
“That's what I wanted to talk about.””
Richard glanced at Margaret.
She remained near the staircase.
Marcus placed the gift bag on the console table.
“I want us to get along. For Olivia's sake.””
Richard studied him.
“That's a good idea.””
“She's getting married. This should be a happy time.””
“It should.””
Marcus took a breath.
“I know you've been the one supporting her. I appreciate that.””
Richard didn't respond.
“But I think it's time for me to have a place in her life.””
“You already have one.””
Marcus tilted his head.
“Do I?””
Richard looked him directly in the eye.
“That's something you need to build with her.””
Marcus smiled.
“Of course. But there are certain things a biological father should be allowed to do.””
Richard waited.
“Walking her down the aisle, for example.””
The room went quiet.
Richard slowly nodded.
“Have you spoken to Olivia about that?””
“Yes. She wants me to do it.””
Richard looked down briefly.
Then he said, “I see.””
Marcus continued.
“I hope you won't make this difficult.””
Richard's jaw tightened.
“I've never made anything difficult for Olivia.””
“Good. Then we're on the same page.””
Marcus picked up his gift bag and headed toward the door.
Before leaving, he turned.
“One more thing. Olivia mentioned the wedding expenses. That's quite a commitment.””
Richard didn't blink.
“I'll manage.””
Marcus smiled.
“I'm sure you will.””
The door closed.
Margaret approached her husband.
“Richard, I don't like that man.””
Richard looked through the window at Marcus's car disappearing down the driveway.
“Neither do I.””
“Then why are you letting him do this?””
Richard took a slow breath.
“Because Olivia is twenty. If I force her to choose, she'll think I'm trying to control her.””
Margaret shook her head.
“Sometimes protecting someone means telling them something they don't want to hear.””
Richard placed the gardening towel on the table.
“I've spent twenty years trying to make sure that girl never feels abandoned again.””
His voice cracked slightly.
“I won't be the one who makes her feel that way now.””
Three days later, Olivia came home with Marcus.
Richard was sitting in the living room reviewing the final wedding arrangements.
“Dad!”” Olivia called.
He looked up.
“Hey, sweetheart.””
She entered with Marcus behind her.
“I wanted to tell you something.””
Richard placed his pen down.
“What's up?””
Olivia glanced at Marcus, then back at Richard.
“I've decided Marcus should walk me down the aisle.””
Richard didn't move.
Margaret, who was folding laundry nearby, stopped.
“Olivia,” Richard said slowly, “we've already discussed the wedding procession.””
“I know.””
“Is this what you really want?””
“Yes.””
Richard looked toward Marcus.
The older man smiled politely.
“I hope you understand, Richard. It's just something I've always dreamed about.””
Richard's expression didn't change.
“Have you?””
Marcus nodded.
“Of course. She's my daughter.””
Richard looked back at Olivia.
“Did you consider how I might feel?””
Olivia sighed.
“Dad, please don't make this about you.””
Richard's eyes lowered.
“I'm not.””
“Then why are you looking at me like that?””
He didn't answer.
Marcus placed a hand on Olivia's shoulder.
“Let's not turn this into a problem.””
Richard nodded.
“I'm not turning anything into a problem.””
Olivia looked relieved.
“Good. Because I've already told the wedding planner.””
Richard slowly picked up his paperwork.
“You've told the wedding planner?””
“Yesterday.””
“So the decision was already made before you came to talk to me?””
Olivia hesitated.
“I knew you might be upset.””
Richard stared at the papers.
Then he closed the folder.
“Okay.””
Olivia blinked.
“Okay?””
“It's your wedding.””
Marcus smiled.
“Thank you, Richard. I appreciate your understanding.””
Richard looked at him.
“Don't thank me yet.””
The smile disappeared.
“What do you mean?””
Richard stood.
“I mean I hope you understand what you're agreeing to.””
Marcus gave a small laugh.
“I'm just walking my daughter down the aisle.””
Richard nodded.
“Then that's all you need to worry about.””
He walked toward the kitchen.
Margaret followed him.
Olivia turned to Marcus.
“See? I told you he'd understand.””
Marcus smiled.
“Your father seems like a reasonable man.””
But Richard had heard the comment.
And for the first time in twenty years, he wondered whether he had made a mistake by teaching Olivia that love meant never asking anything in return.
That evening, Margaret found Richard sitting alone in the garage.
The overhead light cast a yellow glow over the workbench.
A framed photograph sat beside him.
It showed Olivia at six years old, sitting on his shoulders at a summer fair.
Her small hands were gripping his forehead.
His own face was turned upward, laughing.
Margaret sat beside him.
“You're looking at that picture again.””
Richard nodded.
“She was so little.””
“She still is, sometimes.””
He smiled faintly.
“Do you remember her first day at school?””
Margaret laughed.
“She refused to let go of your jacket.””
“She thought I'd leave.””
“You promised her you wouldn't.””
Richard stared at the photograph.
“And I didn't.””
Margaret rested her hand on his shoulder.
“You're still her father.””
Richard's eyes glistened.
“Then why does it feel like I'm being asked to prove it?””
Margaret had no answer.
A few seconds later, Richard's phone vibrated.
An unfamiliar number.
He opened the message.
It contained a photograph of an invoice.
The sender had written:
I think you should know what Marcus is telling your daughter about the wedding.
Richard enlarged the image.
His face went pale.
Because the invoice wasn't from the wedding venue.
May you like
It was from a private lender.
And Marcus Reed's name appeared at the bottom.
