She raised her eyes again, the priest was growing impatient, awaiting her response. Julia’s gaze swept across the crowd. None of her friends or family were present, despite her having invited them. The sparse attendees were aged relatives or friends of Harold, their expressions twisted in disgust. She could almost hear their unspoken judgment. She quickly looked away, unwilling to meet their gaze as she uttered the decisive words. After a deep sigh, she murmured in a trembling voice, “I do.”
Just a few weeks ago, Julia’s life had been drastically different. She was an ordinary woman working as a primary school teacher. She loved her job and her life, but there were times when she yearned for a bit more excitement. Her days revolved around work, and the exhaustion often relegated her weekends to nothing more than resting on the couch. She found herself caught in a seemingly endless loop, filled with routine and endless soap operas.