Mark and I were at my sister Lily’s wedding reception. The envelope with our $10,000 gift was secure in Mark’s pocket, on top of the third of the wedding costs we’d already covered.
As we sat down, I spotted my parents—Mom adjusting Dad’s tie—both glowing in a way I didn’t recall seeing at my own wedding five years ago. After the best man and maid of honor spoke, my parents took the microphone together.
“We want to thank you all for coming to celebrate our beloved daughter’s wedding,” Mom began, leaning on “beloved” so hard it made my stomach twist. Dad continued, “Raising Lily has been the greatest joy of our lives. She’s always been extraordinary.” Then Mom pulled out papers from her purse.
“Jake, Lily,” she said, holding them up, “we’re giving you our family home as a wedding gift!”
The applause was deafening. I froze. Mark stiffened.
The house—the one I’d been paying the mortgage on for five years—was now theirs. Lily’s tears of joy told me she’d known. I smiled for appearances, but inside I was reeling.
…The story doesn’t end here, it continues on the next page 👇
