I knew how much my fiancé loved me until he didn’t show up at the altar on our wedding day. A day later, I saw him signing papers in my father’s office.

Brian and I celebrated our sixth anniversary at our favorite restaurant. Nervously, he proposed. “Would you do me the honor of being my wife?” he asked. Overjoyed, I said yes. My mother was thrilled, but my dad disapproved, questioning Brian’s ability to provide.

Three months later, on our wedding day, Brian was missing. I discovered he had gone to my dad for help with his niece’s urgent surgery. My dad agreed to pay on one condition: Brian had to leave me forever. Brian, desperate to save his niece, agreed.

Crying at the altar, I confronted my dad and Brian the next day. Brian explained, “It’s Maxine. She’s dying, and she needs an expensive operation.” My dad revealed, “He just agreed not to see you ever again in exchange for money.” Devastated, I yelled at my dad and left.

Brian and I reconciled, deciding to start fresh. We visited Maxine, paid for her surgery, and moved to a new city. Cutting ties with my toxic father, we married in a simple ceremony with close family. Returning my dad’s money, we bought a small house and built a loving home, raising our three children together.