I stitched my daughter’s graduation dress from the last precious belongings my late wife had left behind.

When a wealthy mother laughed at us in front of the entire gym, she had no idea the moment was about to turn against her in a way nobody expected.

My wife, Jenna, passed away two years ago.

Cancer took her quickly and mercilessly.

One moment we were debating whether the kitchen cabinets should be painted white or blue. Just six months later, I was sitting beside a hospital bed at two in the morning, listening to the steady beep of medical machines while holding her hand and hoping for more time that never came.

After she died, every corner of the house reminded me of her—the way she laughed, the quiet humming she did while cooking dinner.

But I couldn’t completely break down.

Because I still had Melissa.

She was only four when her mother died. Now she’s six, and somehow she’s grown into the sweetest little girl I know. Some days, the way she smiles reminds me so strongly of Jenna that it almost hurts.

Since Jenna passed away, it’s just been the two of us.

I work repairing heating and air-conditioning systems. Most months the pay covers our bills—barely. Some weeks I take double shifts and try not to think about the stack of unpaid envelopes waiting on the kitchen counter.

Bills felt endless. The moment I paid one, another appeared.

Money was always tight.

Still, Melissa never complained.

One afternoon she burst through the front door after school, her backpack bouncing.

“Daddy! Guess what!”

“What is it?” I asked.

“Kindergarten graduation is next Friday! We have to dress fancy!” she said excitedly. Then she added quietly, “Everyone is getting new dresses.”

I smiled, though a knot formed in my chest.

That night, after she fell asleep, I checked my bank balance on my phone and stared at the numbers for a long time.