It seemed to finally sink in that he was fighting a losing battle. Father sighed, his broad shoulders slumping as he rubbed a tired hand over his face, apparently having aged ten years over the last two days.
When he turned to me, I instinctively stiffened.
“I… apologize for speaking so harshly about your woman, my son,” he said, stunning me. “I will give her a fair chance to prove herself.”
I found myself at a loss. He would never say such things unless he meant them, which was both a curse and a blessing for our family.
“Thank you, Father,” I murmured.
“But I will tell you this right now,” he added with a firm tone of warning. “I had better not learn anything more about this girl that I will not approve of. If I find even a hint of trouble or deceit, this is over.”
The moment he ut
