“Gramps, Mark and I wanted something different. We didn’t want the stress of a big wedding. We just wanted to have fun,” Emily explained, though her words didn’t seem to hold much weight for Richard.
“But what about the money, Emily? That was my life’s savings,” Richard pleaded.
“I already told you. We used it for our honeymoon, Gramps. We made memories and had experiences. Isn’t that what life’s about?” she replied, as if trying to convince both of them.
“Memories… experiences… Emily, those could have been made here, with the family. With me,” Richard said softly, the disappointment weighing heavily on him.
“Gramps, please try to understand,” Emily sighed, and Richard could sense her frustration.
“I’m trying, Emily. I really am,” he said, his heart breaking a little more with each word.
Richard was crushed. Not only had his dream of seeing Emily’s wedding vanish, but he also felt deeply betrayed. He wondered if he had ever truly known his granddaughter. The pain was overwhelming, yet his love for her remained strong.