When Greg suggested we use Ava’s college fund — money left by her late father — to pay for his daughter Becca’s lavish wedding, I stayed silent… but I was furious.
That fund was David’s final gift to our daughter. Becca, who always treated Ava and me like outsiders, sat smugly at the table, expecting it.
I smiled and said I’d “think about it.” Then I drafted two documents.
Two days later, I told them I’d write the check — if they signed a contract agreeing to pay back every cent within a year.
Greg exploded. “That’s not what family does!”
“No,” I said calmly. “Family doesn’t rob a child of her future either.”
Then I slid over the second document: divorce papers.
“Protecting Ava is non-negotiable,” I said. “Sign the contract or sign these.”
Greg moved out two weeks later. Becca’s wedding happened without us. Ava and I stayed home — her arms around me, whispering, “Thank you for choosing me.”
And I always will.
David’s gift remains untouched, growing for the daughter we both loved — not for a party, but for a future.
Lesson: Love means protecting your child’s future — even if it costs you everything else.
