The realization hit Henry like a thunderbolt on a clear day. Sitting across from his friend, John, in a quaint café, the conversation took a chilling turn.
"I can't believe it, John. My daughter has been deceiving me for two whole years," Henry confessed, his voice tinged with betrayal and disbelief.
John, a seasoned friend, leaned in, his brow furrowed with concern. "What happened, Henry? You've always been so supportive of her studies."
"I thought she was pursuing her degree in business at City University," Henry lamented. "But just yesterday, I got a call from the university saying they had no record of her for the past two years."
John's eyes widened. "No record? But... what has she been doing all this time?"
"That's what I intend to find out," Henry declared, his jaw set with determination.
### The Confrontation
The next day, armed with a heavy heart and unanswered questions, Henry drove to the address he had for his daughter, Rachel. It was a modest boarding house on the outskirts of town. He knocked on the door, his heart pounding in anticipation and dread.
A young woman with a baby in her arms opened the door. She had Rachel's eyes. Henry's heart skipped a beat.
"Rachel?" he asked tentatively.
The young woman blinked, clearly taken aback. "Um, yes... Can I help you?"
"I'm Henry," he said, struggling to keep his emotions in check. "Your father."
Rachel's eyes widened in surprise, and then something akin to guilt flickered across her face. "Dad... What are you doing here?"
Henry stepped inside, his eyes darting around the cramped living room. "I want to know what's been going on, Rachel. Why did you drop out of school? And why didn't you tell me?"
Rachel shifted uncomfortably, her eyes avoiding his gaze. "Dad, it's not what you think..."
"Then tell me what it is!" Henry's voice rose with frustration. "I've been sending you money for tuition every semester, believing you were working towards a future."
Rachel sighed, her shoulders slumping. "I'm sorry, Dad. I... I got pregnant. Mario and I decided to get married."
"Mario?" Henry's confusion deepened. "Who is Mario?"
Rachel hesitated before answering. "He's... he's my husband. We've been married for over a year now."
Henry felt like the ground was slipping beneath him. "Why didn't you tell me any of this?"
Rachel looked down, her voice barely a whisper. "I was scared, Dad. I didn't know how you would react. Mario and I struggled financially, and your help... it kept us going."
Henry's anger softened into a mix of hurt and concern. "Rachel, I'm your father. I would have supported you, no matter what."
Tears welled up in Rachel's eyes. "I know, Dad. I was foolish. I just didn't want to disappoint you."
Henry took a deep breath, trying to process everything. "But why lie about school? Why keep this a secret?"
Rachel wiped her eyes. "I didn't want you to think I was a failure. I wanted to finish school, but after having the baby... things got complicated."
### The Collapse
Henry's face drained of color as he listened to Rachel's explanation. The shock and disappointment overwhelmed him. He staggered backward, clutching his chest, unable to catch his breath. Rachel rushed to his side, panic seizing her.
