Lily froze. I asked if she wanted to leave, but instead she stood up, looked him straight in the eye, and said, “I’ll walk however I want, and I’ll still be better than you.” The room fell silent. Franklin grew angry and doubled down instead of apologizing. Rachel said nothing, staring at her napkin.

Lily’s courage amazed me, but Rachel’s silence crushed me. After another round of excuses from her family, I took Lily and left. In the car, she asked, “Dad… do you still want to marry her?” I didn’t know how to answer.Over the next days, Rachel apologized repeatedly, but I needed to think. I realized love isn’t real if it disappears when things get uncomfortable. I couldn’t marry someone who wouldn’t defend my daughter.

Eventually, I ended the engagement. Lily and I slowly rebuilt our peace. She joined art club, made new friends, and grew more confident than ever. Months later, I met Renata—a kind woman with a son who also had a visible difference. She defended both kids without hesitation, something Rachel never did. Over time, we fell in love.

A year later, Lily proudly walked down the aisle at my wedding to Renata—limp and all.And I knew we were finally where we belonged.