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.”

correctional facility, a marriage official, and a guard watching the time.

Julian stood across from me in his prison uniform.

He had tired gray eyes and a calm expression.

When the ceremony ended, he looked at me.

“I’m sorry this isn’t the wedding you deserved.”

I didn’t know what to say.

He offered a faint smile.

“Thank you for being here.”

I expected the relationship to feel awkward.

After all, we were strangers bound by an arrangement neither of us had created for love.

But Julian surprised me.

During our