“I know it’s weird, but I’m desperate,” I said. “What do you think?”
After a long pause, he shrugged. “Why not. You’ve got yourself a deal, future wife.”
And just like that, my life took an unexpected turn.
I cleaned him up, took him shopping, and was surprised to find that beneath the rough exterior, Stan was quite handsome. A few days later, I introduced him to my parents as my fiancé, and their shock was palpable.
A month later, we were married. Despite our arrangement, I was surprised by how easy it was to live with Stan. He was funny, smart, and helpful around the house, and our relationship settled into a comfortable routine.
However, there was always one thing I couldn’t shake. Whenever I asked about his past, he would change the subject. It frustrated me, but I let it go—until one day, everything changed.
I came home from work to find a trail of rose petals leading me into the living room. There, in the center of the room, stood Stan—in a sleek tuxedo, holding a velvet box.
“Stan?” I asked, stunned. “What’s going on?”
“Miley,” he said, his voice full of emotion, “I want to thank you for accepting me. You’ve made me happier than I’ve ever been. Will you marry me, for real this time?”
I was speechless. “Stan, where did you get the money for this? The tux, the flowers, the ring?”
He sighed deeply. “It’s time I told you the truth,” he said, explaining that his homelessness had been a result of his brothers’ betrayal. They had forged documents and stolen his company, leaving him stranded. He had fought back, and now, thanks to his own efforts, he was about to restore everything he lost.
“I’m not poor, Miley. I’ve spent my life looking for love, but you were the first to show kindness when you thought I had nothing,” he said. “I fell in love with you, not because of what I had, but because of who you are.”
I was overwhelmed. I had married a man I thought had nothing, only to discover he had everything—and genuine love for me.
“Stan,” I whispered, “this is all so overwhelming, but I think I’m starting to feel the same way.”
He smiled, and we spent the evening talking. I kissed him on the cheek, promising to help him take back what he had lost, but also knowing we needed to take our time before making any permanent decisions.