My wife and I divorced over ten years ago. It happens. People drift apart. But we have a daughter. For her, we tried to keep at least a shadow of a normal relationship. We met at her birthdays, went to school events together. There was no hostility, but every year the distance between us grew, as if time itself was pulling us in different directions.
Recently, I found out she’s getting married. My girl… My little Sonya. I was happy. I imagined leading her to the altar, making a toast filled with tears and pride. I even bought her a gift.
And then, a few weeks before the wedding, I got a message. Just a message. No call, no explanation.
“Don’t come. I don’t want to see you at my wedding.”
The ground fell from under my feet. I reread those words again and again. I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t understand what I had done to deserve that.
I sat on the couch, stared at the screen, and… felt a sharp pain in my chest. It hurt a lot. I was scared. And there was no one beside me. I managed to call an ambulance, and then — blackout.
Heart attack. A few days in the hospital. No call. No message. Nothing from my daughter.
Then the wedding day came.
I entered the hall like a ghost from the past. My daughter was shocked. The guests looked at each other, her mother stood there not knowing what to say. But I knew why I came. I stood before everyone, tapped my glass, and began to speak.
— I’m not a perfect father. I wasn’t always there, I didn’t always understand what you felt. But I loved you every day of my life. And when you were born, I promised myself I would always be there for you. Even if you don’t want to see me. I didn’t come to ruin your day, but to remind you that love doesn’t come on schedule. It just is. Always.
Then I took an envelope out of my pocket with the keys to the apartment I bought for my daughter and placed it on the table.
— This is a gift. Not from a desperate father, but from someone who wants you to have a home. Always.
I turned and left. I didn’t wait for her words. Because at that moment I understood: sometimes true love is to leave, even if you want to stay.
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