A young student married a 71-year-old wealthy woman. A week later, David froze in amazement upon hearing his wife’s strange proposal…

David Johnson was only 23 years old, but it seemed like he carried the weight of the entire world on his shoulders. A diligent law school student, he believed that only hard work and perseverance would help him build a better future.

However, reality tested him time and again. Two years ago, his father’s sudden death shattered everything. A lightning-fast heart attack took away the man who had been the family’s pillar, leaving David not only with grief but also with an avalanche of responsibilities.

Long-standing debts that no one suspected began to surface in the form of endless bills and threatening letters. David became the head of the family, but he lacked the resources to support his sick mother and younger sister. Mary, his mother, was fighting cancer, which drained not only her strength but also the family’s last money.

David tried his best to provide her with the necessary treatment, but the cost of medications, tests, and chemotherapy was overwhelming. Meanwhile, his 14-year-old sister Clara, despite the hardships, tried to smile and continued dreaming of becoming a veterinarian. David hid the full horror of their situation from her, trying to shield her from reality.

David spent nights without sleep, sitting at the kitchen table, staring at a pile of unpaid bills. Each envelope was a reminder that he was losing the battle. He worked as an intern at a small law firm, but his salary barely covered the essentials.

Sometimes he wondered if he was doing everything possible, how he could save his mother, give his sister a future, and still continue his studies. One ordinary workday, his life took an unexpected turn. David was in the office when one of the lawyers pulled him aside.

«David, you work a lot. I want to invite you to a social evening this week. I think you need a little distraction.»

The invitation seemed absurd to David. He had neither the time, nor the money, nor the appropriate clothes to attend a high-society event. But, yielding to persistence, he agreed, deciding that perhaps it was a chance to make useful connections—something he had always heard was an important part of success in the profession.

That evening, David found himself in a completely different world. The mansion where the event was held was majestic. Sparkling chandeliers, classical music in the background, and elegantly dressed people.

David felt out of place, but tried to blend into the crowd. He wandered the hall, trying not to attract attention, until a woman approached him. Helen Thompson was unlike anyone David had known before.

At 71 years old, she radiated confidence, as if the whole world was in her hands. Her gaze was perceptive but devoid of arrogance. «Young man, you’re not from here, are you?» David hesitated but answered honestly…