I was 34 years old and sick of my parents always bugging me about being single. They told me I had to get married by age 35 or lose my fortune. Their expectations were too much for me to handle, and I made a choice that would change my life forever out of desperation.

Along the street, I met a woman named Jessica who was living on the streets. Even though she looked rough, her kind eyes caught my attention. I told her I would give her a place to live, food, and clothes if she would marry me and act like I was my wife. I was shocked when she said yes, and soon after, we got married.

At first, getting married was just an easy thing to do. But as time went on, I saw Jessica change. She went from being a rough-around-the-edges homeless woman to a beautiful and strong woman. The house that used to be empty and lifeless was now filled with the smell of home-cooked food and the sound of laughter.

When Jessica and I sat down to eat together, she told me about her tough times and her goals. Her story shocked me, and my heart went out to her. She gave me the notebook she had been writing in, which was full of her dreams and thoughts. I really felt like I knew her as I read through the pages.

It hit me at that moment that Jessica wasn’t someone who needed to be “saved” or felt sorry for. She was a strong, smart woman who earned respect, love, and care. “I never needed to be saved; I just needed someone to care,” she said. Those words hit home for me.

I saw Jessica differently when I looked at her. I understood that our marriage, which began as a simple plan, had grown into something real. I was deeply in love with her and knew I couldn’t live without her in my life.

I told my parents the truth about our marriage the next day. No longer was it just a handy arrangement, it was a real link that meant something. She brought love and happiness into my life, and I was thankful for her.

After being forced to get married out of spite, our love story turned into a beautiful one. Love can come from strange places, and Jessica had shown me that. Sometimes, the best things in life are the ones we don’t expect.