Sometimes, life pushes us into situations we never thought we’d face. For Artem, a 23-year-old student, life had become a constant fight for survival. His mother had been gravely ill for years, unable to work or even leave her bed. His younger sister, still in school, needed books, clothes, food, and stability.

Every responsibility fell on Artem’s shoulders. He studied during the day, worked at night, and accepted any job he could find: delivering packages, helping people move, tutoring children. But no matter how much he worked, the money was never enough.

The bills kept piling up. The cost of his mother’s medicines was crushing, interest on loans grew larger, and every night he asked himself the same painful question:

“How much longer can I keep going like this?”

An Unexpected Encounter

One evening, a friend introduced Artem to a woman who would change his life forever. She was unlike anyone he had ever met.

Her name was Elena. She was 76 years old, wealthy beyond imagination, and yet—lonely. She lived in a vast mansion, surrounded by beauty and luxury, but her eyes carried the weight of solitude.

To Artem’s surprise, she wasn’t fragile or bitter. She was sharp, witty, and confident. Her humor lit up the room, and she spoke with the authority of someone who had seen the world and learned its lessons.

And then, something completely unexpected happened.

The Proposal That Changed Everything

Not long after their meeting, Elena looked Artem in the eyes and asked a question he never thought he would hear:

“Would you marry me?”

At first, Artem thought it was a joke. But her expression was serious, steady, and calm. That night, he couldn’t sleep. He turned over the thought again and again in his mind.

His heart whispered: “This isn’t love.”
But his mind reminded him: “Your mother needs treatment. Your sister needs education. You can’t save them on your own.”

Finally, with a heavy heart, Artem made his decision. He would marry her.

“I’ll endure living with her,” he told himself. “At least my family will never have to suffer again.”

Life in the Mansion

The wedding was quiet but elegant. For Artem, the event felt more like a contract than a celebration.

After moving into the mansion, he quickly realized what his new life would be like. He and Elena slept in separate bedrooms. They spoke briefly at dinner but rarely shared personal moments. The house was full of luxury—golden chandeliers, endless hallways, expensive paintings—but it felt cold, like a museum.

Days passed, and Artem thought he had already understood the terms of his unusual marriage. But just one week later, everything changed.

The Strange Proposal

One evening, Elena invited Artem into her study. The room was lined with shelves of old books, the smell of leather and wood heavy in the air. She sat behind a massive oak desk, glasses resting on her nose, and watched him carefully.

Finally, she spoke.

“I know why you married me,” she said calmly. “You wanted money, not me.”

Artem’s face turned pale. He opened his mouth to protest, but she raised her hand to silence him.

“Don’t deny it. I don’t blame you. In fact, I admire your honesty with yourself. That’s why I’m offering you a deal.”

Artem’s heart pounded as she continued.

“You will stay by my side until the end of my days. To the world, we are husband and wife. But I don’t expect affection, and I don’t demand intimacy. We will continue to live separately. What I require is loyalty.”

Her voice sharpened.

“No women. No scandals. Not even a suspicion. If you betray me, you will receive nothing.”

She paused before delivering her final condition.

“And one more thing: never wish for my death. If it is ever proven that I died unnaturally, every penny of my fortune will go to charity. I don’t need a killer—I need a companion. Someone who will simply make sure I’m not alone.”

Artem’s Dilemma

The words hung in the air like a heavy curtain. Artem was stunned. Relief washed over him at the thought of not being pressured into intimacy, but dread followed just as quickly—her rules were strict, unbending, and absolute.

For the first time, he realized Elena was far more perceptive than he had ever imagined. She saw through him completely.

Her final words echoed in his mind:

“Think carefully, Artem. You could gain more than you ever dreamed of—but only if you can endure.”

That night, Artem lay awake, staring at the ceiling. He thought of his sick mother, his little sister, and the chance to finally give them the life they deserved. Yet he also felt the weight of the mansion’s silence pressing down on him, reminding him of what he had agreed to.

One thing was certain: his decision would not only determine his own destiny but the fate of everyone he loved.