Victor Gregory had been keeping an eye on Oliver without him noticing. Not surprising Victor had spent years in that line of work, he was a professional! But so far, nothing suspicious. Oliver never brought anyone home, never did anything questionable. Still, Victor knew patience would pay off. Sooner or later, Oliver would slip up. His gut had never been wrong before.
This mattered deeply to himit was personal. About him, Victor Gregory, and his family. Oh, how lovely it had been when little Eleanor was small! When she was born, Victor had been disappointed she wasnt a boy. Of course, he never let it show, but deep down, something nagged at hima girl! Him, a respected man, and suddenly, a daughter instead of a son. Who would he talk to, man to man, when things got tough? Who would he teach, shape into a proper person?
But thenwell, life had other plans. Hed married late, always too busy with work. Women never liked his demanding career. Then he met LucyLucille! But Lucy was nearly forty by thentoo late to hope for a son.
Then the unexpected happened. Without even realizing it, Victor fell completely under the spell of his tiny daughter. The first time she smiled at him, grabbed his nose with her little fingershe was done for. When she took her first wobbly steps, panicked, and ran to him squealing, *”Daddy! Daddy!”*he scooped her up, held her close. Thats when he knewher happiness was now the most important thing in his life. His little girl, his shining star. No one would ever hurt her.
Lucy would laugh, *”Vic, you spoil us!”* And he did, buying gifts just to see their happy faces.
But how had Eleanor grown up so fast? It felt like yesterday she was clutching his hand, stomping alongside him as he walked her to nursery. Shed tilt her little blonde head up and say, *”Daddy, youre so big! Will you buy me a teddy? Pleeease?”* And the way she looked at himmade him feel invincible.
Now shed finished school, started university part-time, and got a joball her own decision. *”Dad, its time I stood on my own two feet,”* shed said. And Victor? He swelled with pride.
Thensuddenlyeverything changed. Lucy baked a pie, her eyes twinkling like she had a secret. Victor wondered if the girls wanted somethingmaybe to ask him for money. But no. It was something else entirely. Too soon, surely! Eleanor had only just turned twenty.
*”Dad,”* she grinned, brushing invisible lint off his shoulder, *”I want you to meet someone. Dont freak out, okay? Olivers really kindwere thinking of registering our marriage. Hes coming for tea tonight. Oh! Thats him now!”*
Lucy opened the door first. *”Hello! Lovely to meet you, Oliver. Im Lucille. This is Eleanors father, Victor Gregory.”* Victor nodded, shook Olivers handbut his mouth went dry.
This stranger was here to take his Eleanor away. His little girl, his only one.
A voice in his headreasonwhispered: *What did you expect? Dont you want her happy? He seems decent, firm handshake. Or did you think shed stay with Mum and Dad forever?*
But Victor ignored it. No, Oliver wasnt good enough. Full stop. And just like thata plan formed. Hed test him.
For weeks, Victor waited. After Oliver walked Eleanor home, Victor would claim “work” and tail him. What if he had another woman? Something shady? He couldnt risk his daughter with the wrong man. Theyd already registeredEleanor was sewing her dress, Lucy planning the celebration.
ThenfinallyVictor saw it. A woman and a little girl approached Olivers flat. He kissed her, took her bag, held the childs hand. They disappeared inside. *There it is!*
Victor had known Oliver was hiding something. Yet part of him liked the lad. He reminded Victor of himselfopen, straightforward. Had he let suspicion cloud his judgment?
Eleanor greeted him excitedly: *”Dad! The weddings in a week! We booked the venue todayIm so happy!”*
Victor stared, torn. Shame prickled himspying on his future son-in-law.
Then Eleanor added: *”Olivers parents are coming tomorrow to meet you. Theyll stay at his place. Tonight, his sister and niece are visitingNatalies from out of town. Her husbands away on business, but hell join later.”*
At the wedding, Victor danced with Lucy like a young man again. Hed decidedenough suspicion. Work and life shouldnt mix.
A year later, Eleanor gave him a grandson*little Samuel!* The new granddad even teared up. Dreams *do* come true. Now he had someone to talk to, man to manand Oliver? Turned out to be a fine lad after all.
As for little Sam? Chatterbox already. Soon hed be talking, then runninglifes greatest joy. Victor swore never to mention his “background check” on Oliver. Family deserves trust.
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