14/06/2026
"The father of our future groom… is a simple man. Very simple. Let's put it this way… he only knows how to sweep yards." The guests burst into laughter, and my son lowered his head, feeling ashamed of me… and exactly at that moment, I stood up and said just a few words — after which the entire hall instantly fell silent.😨😱 Half an hour before that moment, I was sitting at a table in the furthest corner of an expensive restaurant. The spot was close to the kitchen, right next to the swinging doors. Every time they opened, hot steam entered the hall, mixed with the clattering of dishes and the voices of the chefs. Such a spot is usually reserved for staff… or for those you don't really want among the guests. I lowered my gaze to my hands. Rough, cracked, with dirt embedded under the fingernails. To the future in-laws, I was just a simple man who had worked with his hands his entire life — somewhere on the outskirts, in greenhouses and on the land. My old jacket was worn at the elbows, and the stiff collar of the cheap shirt rubbed uncomfortably against my neck. In the center of the hall, at the main table, sat Sofia's family. Her father, Daniel Morgan, confidently held a glass of wine, swirling it lazily in his hand. His wife, Evelyn, occasionally adjusted the massive jewelry around her neck. Between them sat Leon. My son. A talented engineer who looked at Sofia with a devotion that hurt. And Sofia, at that time, was posing for the photographer, slightly stretching her lips into a perfect smile. The sound of a teaspoon hitting a glass suddenly brought silence. Daniel stood up, carefully adjusted his tie, and began to speak in a confident, well-rehearsed voice: "Ladies and gentlemen… today my daughter takes a step toward a new life. Leon is a capable young man. When he entered our circle, he was… let's say, unpolished. But we helped him. We showed him how this world works." He moved slowly between the tables, approaching me without haste. He stopped right in front of me. He paused — too calculated, too demonstrative. The air seemed to become heavier. Even the waiters remained motionless. "But," he continued, tilting his head, "every material has its origin." His gaze dropped to my hands. He didn't look away immediately. He stared at them intently, as if he had seen something unpleasant. "The father of our future groom… is a simple man. Very simple. Let's put it this way… he only knows how to sweep yards." The hall burst into laughter. Some covered their mouths, others laughed openly. Evelyn smiled from behind her glass. Sofia lowered her gaze, but the corners of her lips twitched — she was laughing too. I didn't stand up immediately. I sat for a few seconds, then stood up slowly. I said nothing. I just clenched my fists, feeling that rough skin under my fingers… Leon did not stand up. He didn't say a single word. He didn't stop him. And that was what hurt the most. Daniel, pleased with the effect he produced, raised his glass: "But! We are generous people. We do not judge by the past — only by possibilities. If a man is ready to grow… why not give him a chance?" He smiled. But in that smile, there was more superiority than kindness. "To the new family!" The glasses clinked. And then I spoke: "May I say a few words too?" My voice was not loud, but it was enough for silence to return to the hall.😲😨 To see part 2 comment I want part 2👇