Her expression darkened. “We’re supposed to be one family now, Charlie. Or is that just talk?”
“I’ve treated your daughters like my own,” I said firmly.
“Have you?” she shot back. “If that were true, you wouldn’t be hoarding money for your biological kids.”
The tension was thick, but I refused to back down. “That money is off-limits, Gaby. End of discussion.”
Her face flushed with anger. “You’re impossible!” she spat before storming out.
That night, I made a plan. The next morning, I called my financial advisor, making sure Gaby overheard. “Yes, I’d like to set up a fund for my stepdaughters. Contributions will come from our joint income moving forward.”
When I turned, Gaby stood in the doorway, her face a mix of anger and disbelief. “What about Edith’s money?” she demanded.
“Untouched,” I replied. “This is how we support your daughters.”
Her eyes narrowed. “This is a slap in the face, Charlie.”
“No, Gaby. This is about setting boundaries. We build our future together—not by taking from what isn’t ours.”
Over the following weeks, Gaby’s attitude ranged from guilt-tripping to icy silence. One evening, as I tucked the girls into bed, my eldest asked softly, “Daddy, is everything okay with you and Gaby?”
I hugged her tightly. “We’re working through some grown-up stuff. Don’t worry, sweetheart.”
But the tension lingered. Gaby confronted me again, her frustration palpable. “You’re choosing your late wife over me,” she accused.
“I’m honoring her legacy,” I replied. “We’ve set up a fund for your daughters. That’s how we move forward.”
“It’s not enough,” she snapped. “You’re just trying to pacify me.”
I met her gaze. “No, Gaby. I’m protecting what Edith left for our daughters. If you can’t respect that, we have a problem.”
Months passed, the arguments grew less frequent, but the distance between us grew. One day, as we watched all four girls laughing in the backyard, she turned to me. “They could’ve had so much more if you’d listened to me.”
I shook my head. “No, Gaby. They have exactly what they need—a father who respects their mother’s wishes and a fair start for everyone.”
Her bitterness was clear, but I knew I’d done the right thing. I’d protected my daughters’ future and stood firm against manipulation. Whatever challenges lay ahead, I was ready to face them. For my girls, I’d always fight to do what was right.