This woman had a motive when she decided to marry an old rich man
Julia glanced around, surrounded by a sea of hostile faces. Not a single friendly face was among the crowd. The wedding official scrutinized her, a look of surprise etched on his face. “Julia?” the priest asked. Her surroundings felt surreal, as if she were in a dream. His words seemed distant, and she struggled to recollect his last few sentences. “Sorry, could you repeat that?” she asked, her voice wavering.
With a look of confusion, he observed her before clearing his throat. “Let me repeat myself,” he offered, laughing in an attempt to break the tension, yet his polite smile seemed forced, more discomfort than mirth. He almost seemed to pity her.
“Julia,” the priest started once more, “Do you take this man to be your husband, to live together in holy matrimony, to love him, to honor him, to comfort him, and to keep him in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?” Julia felt as though she was choking on the words, her throat tight with nerves. She glanced down at her hands, clasping those of an elderly man. She looked up to find Harold, a man 37 years her senior, standing in front of her.
She had never envisioned her life unfolding this way. Her wedding day was meant to be the happiest of her life; an event filled with laughter, applause, and warm wishes for the newlyweds. She had dreamt of arriving in a Cinderella-like dress, exchanging vows with an exceptionally handsome man. She wore the dress alright, but the man standing before her was a far cry from her ideal groom. Life, it appeared, had diverged from her plans. Or was this more than life’s doing? It was hard to believe this was her fate. This was not about destiny or the path she was supposed to tread. This was entirely her own intricate scheme.
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.
Occasionally, she would break away from this monotonous cycle. On these rare days, she would meet with her friends for a girls’ night out at a nearby pub. They would indulge in cocktails and share laughter, but these nights weren’t the same anymore. Most of her friends were already married or had children, while those who were still single had their own exciting lives and commitments, which often limited their availability.
Despite everything, Julia adored her job as a primary school teacher. There was nothing quite like the spark of comprehension on a child’s face when they grasped a new concept or developed a new skill. The gratification she derived from their progress was priceless. She was proud of her career, but a part of her wished for a life that was slightly different. She longed for the luxury of traveling with the love of her life and their kids, watching sunsets with them, and sharing exciting experiences. She yearned for a touch of adventure in her otherwise ordinary life.
Unfortunately, there was nothing remotely thrilling about Julia’s love life. She wasn’t dating anyone or even nurturing a small crush. Her life was an unvarying repetition of the same old routine. Given this, what happened to Julia a few weeks later, was something she could never have anticipated. This was so unlike her usual existence, but that’s what made it even more thrilling.
The memory of that pivotal day was etched into her mind. Julia was standing in front of the school building when Harold approached her. It was the end of the day, just fifteen minutes after the final bell had rung. Children were bustling around, some already collected by their parents, while others were still gathering their belongings or finishing their games on the playground.
News spread like wildfire that day. The crowd of parents witnessed a bizarre event unfolding before their eyes. It was the day Harold proposed to Julia. A wealthy 71 year old man, proposing to a 34 year old woman. And the most unexpected part? She said yes.