At just twenty years old, the young milkmaid already carried responsibilities far beyond her age. Each morning, she woke before sunrise to work on nearby farms, her hands rough from labor and her boots often soaked with mud. At home, her mother’s health was failing, and medical care was far beyond what they could afford. Her father remained in prison because of unpaid debts, leaving the family without support. Many days, food was scarce, and the future felt uncertain. She often sat by the window at night, wondering how long they could survive under such hardship.
Everything changed when a wealthy landowner arrived in the village. Well dressed and confident, he made an unexpected proposal. He promised to settle her father’s debts, secure his release, and ensure her mother received treatment. In return, he asked her to marry him and give him a son, explaining that doctors had told him he had only a year left to live. The offer shocked her, yet it also seemed like a lifeline for her struggling family. Believing she had little to lose and wanting relief for her parents, she reluctantly agreed, hoping the arrangement would bring some stability before his expected passing.
The wedding took place quietly, without celebration or joy. That night, however, unease kept her awake in the unfamiliar house. While wandering through the hallway, she noticed light coming from her husband’s office. The door was slightly open, revealing documents left on his desk. She had no intention of intruding, but certain words caught her attention. Curiosity and worry pulled her closer. Among the papers lay medical reports indicating that her husband was in good health, with no sign of a life-threatening illness. Nearby was a legal agreement explaining that if a child were born within a year, his inheritance would remain secure, but if not, the marriage could be dissolved, leaving her with nothing.
In that moment, she realized she had been misled. A wealthy relative had left him a large inheritance on the condition that he become a father within a year, and her sympathy had been used to fulfill that requirement. The truth was devastating. She felt betrayed, understanding that once his goal was achieved—or if it failed—she could easily be cast aside. By morning, overwhelmed by the discovery and determined not to live as part of someone else’s plan, she left the house behind, choosing uncertainty over a future built on deception.