I married a prisoner for money while he was serving a twelve-year sentence — but after his conviction was overturned, he came to my apartment with a black box and said, “Now it’s my turn to be honest.”

had spent the past year working to earn back my trust.

Then I smiled.

“Yes, Julian.”
I held out my hand.

“But this time, I get to help plan the wedding.”

He laughed and slipped the ring onto my finger.

“Deal.”

Across the lawn, Toby called out to ask whether we wanted to join the game.

I looked toward him, then back at Julian.

For so long, I’d believed that happiness meant escaping hardship.

But I’d learned something more important.

A future worth having couldn’t be built on money alone.