Because of poverty, my parents sold me to a rich man, but what happened on our wedding night sh0cked everyone…

They slept in separate rooms that night.

In the days that followed, Matilda found the library – walls full of books. When Arthur found her reading, he simply said, “Everything in this house belongs to you. Nothing is forbidden.”

It was the first time in her life someone had given her permission to exist.

Weeks passed. She learned how the farm operated, how the books were kept, how decisions were made. She absorbed everything with a mind that had simply never been allowed to grow before.

One evening on the porch, Arthur asked gently,

“Matilda… are you unhappy here?”

She answered slowly, honestly,

“No. For the first time… I can breathe.”

Soon after, Arthur fell gravely ill. Matilda stayed by his side, tending to him around the clock. When he finally woke and saw her asleep beside his bed, he whispered,

“You stayed.”

“I am your wife,” she replied simply.

Something changed after that. Not passion. But trust.

A steady, quiet devotion.

Years passed. Their home was warm but missing the laughter of children.

One day, Matilda asked, “Arthur… what if we adopted?”

Hope flickered in his eyes. “If that’s what you want.”

“It is,” she said. “Family can be chosen.”

They adopted a small, frightened girl named Ella. Later, two more children—Liam and Mia. The once-silent house filled with voices, footsteps, shared meals, and a love that didn’t need to look like anyone else’s.

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