Twenty-three-year-old Alfie was barely keeping his head above water. Life had become an endless scramble to survive: his mother had fallen seriously ill and hadnt worked in years, his little sister needed constant care, meals, clothes, and school supplies.
Every expensemedicine, treatments, utilities, foodrested on his shoulders alone. He scraped by with odd jobsdeliveries, stacking shelves, tutoringbut money was always painfully short. Debts piled up, interest loomed, and every night Alfie wondered, *”How much longer can I keep this up?”*
Then a mate introduced him to an unusual woman. At seventy-six, she was sharp as a tack, with a wicked sense of humour and enough charm to knock a man off his feet. She was a billionaire, used to luxury and attentionbut achingly lonely. On their first meeting, Alfie realised she wasnt just some rich old bird; she was whip-smart, confident, and actually listened when he spoke.
When she proposedmarriage, no lessAlfie didnt sleep for days. His heart tugged one way, his brain another. But his mothers hospital bills and his sisters school fees stared him down. Reluctantly, he agreed. *”A few years with this lady, and my familys sorted,”* he told himself, swallowing his pride.
A week into the marriage, Alfie adjusted to their quiet, frosty existence in her sprawling mansion. Separate bedrooms, polite chats over teanothing remotely husband-and-wife-like. Then one evening, she called him into her study and dropped a bombshell.
Alfie braced himself. She studied him over her reading glasses before speaking.
*”Ive no heirs. No husband, no children. And I know exactly why you married me. Did you think I wouldnt notice? You needed the money, not me.”*
Alfie opened his mouth to protest, but she cut him off with a raised hand.
*”Dont bother. I dont blame you. In fact, I respect your honestywith yourself, at least. So heres my offer. Stay by my side until the end. To the world, were married. But I wont ask for intimacy or love. Separate rooms, as weve done. One condition: you stay faithful. No other women. No scandals. Even a whisper of misbehaviour, and you get nothing.”*
She paused, then added softly but firmly, *”And one more thingdont wish me dead. If any investigation suggests my death wasnt natural, every penny goes to charity. I dont want a gold-digger. Just someone to keep me company so I dont die alone.”*
Alfie was stunned. Relief (no marital duties!), dread (those ironclad terms), and grudging respect (shed thought of *everything*) collided in his head.
*”Think it over, Alfie,”* she finished. *”Youll get more than you ever dreamedif you last the distance.”*
He knew his answer wouldnt just change his familys futureit would define his entire life.
