Jessica kept trying to steer the conversation elsewhere — asking about Michael’s latest architectural project, bringing up a documentary she thought I’d enjoy — but her family kept circling back to the same current, each question quietly designed to reestablish exactly where I stood beneath them.
Then Richard turned his attention to Michael directly.
“Son, I have to ask, and please don’t take offense, but have you given real thought to long-term financial stability?”
Michael visibly stiffened beside me. “I’m doing well at the firm, sir. I just got promoted to—”
“No, no, I mean family stability. Marriage is expensive. Children are expensive. And with Jessica accustomed to a certain lifestyle…” He let the sentence trail off, the implication landing exactly where he wanted it.
“Dad,” Jessica said sharply, a warning in her voice.
“I’m simply being practical, darling. It’s a father’s job to protect his daughter’s future.”
