I told him no. I told him I wasn’t kicking my niece out to avoid disappointing a child who had volunteered herself without asking.
And when he kept pushing, when he kept talking over me like my decision didn’t matter, I said the thing I didn’t plan to say.
“If you’re going to pressure me like this,” I said, shaking, “then neither of you needs to come.”
Silence.
I know he went pale. I know because my mom told me later. He hung up on me, then called her and said I’d threatened him.
Now my mom is calling nonstop.
Telling me to “reconsider.” Saying “it’s just a flower girl,” “she’s only ten,” “family should come first.”
But here’s the thing—I feel cornered over something that wasn’t even an issue until Lia asked. I understand that she’s a child with big feelings. I really do.
But my wedding isn’t a participation trophy ceremony, and love doesn’t mean erasing every boundary to keep adults comfortable.
And I’m so tired of my dad acting like any boundary I set is disrespect.
So I keep asking myself: am I missing something… or am I finally just refusing to give in?
