Ella, an eighteen-year-old girl, is in her final year at "South Emilia High School." She was not just a diligent student, but an artist in appreciating the simplest moments of life; she always sought to make the ordinary extraordinary with her personal touch. Her ambitions did not reach for the sky—she dreamed instead of a calm, simple, and beautiful life.
Despite her cheerful personality, Ella lacked full confidence in herself. Rather than attracting attention, she chose to hide her well-proportioned body behind loose, simple clothing. Yet, this modest attire only added to her captivating charm. Her long black hair flowed like the darkness of night, adorned with short bangs she carefully kept from growing too long so they wouldn't obstruct her view of the world. Across her cheeks were scattered light freckles, like delicate grains of sugar.
To achieve her dream of going to university, Ella worked part-time at a small café, striving to cover her educational expenses. She was the "perfect girl" every parent dreams of—but this perfection came at a heavy price, one she paid silently without even realizing it.
One evening, Ella returned home to find an unsettling silence filling the place. She walked into the living room to see her family gathered, their faces tense. With a smile meant to break the stiffness, she said, "Hello everyone! What's going on? Why the long faces?"
Her father replied in a heavy tone, "Ella, there's something I need to talk to you about, my dear."
Her smile faded, and anxious questions swirled in her mind. She feared the unknown and dreaded change, and her father's expression hinted at an approaching storm. She whispered nervously, "What is it, Dad? You're scaring me… is everything okay?"
He sighed and said, "It's not serious in the way you think, but as you know, we're going through a severe financial crisis. Your grandfather needs urgent surgery abroad, and we are completely unable to afford it."
Ella interrupted quickly, "I know, Dad, and I'll do everything I can for Grandpa and our family. That's why I started working at the café."
Her father lowered his head. "I know you've never disappointed me, but I feel ashamed for always asking so much of you when you're still so young… Ella, I found someone who offered to cover the cost of the surgery, travel—everything."
Ella's face lit up. "Really? That's wonderful, isn't it?"
But her father's voice grew quieter. "But this person has a condition in return."
Her heartbeat quickened. "And what is that condition?"
He paused for a moment before dropping the bombshell: "He wants you to marry his son and live with them in their house as a condition to repay the debt."
Ella was stunned; her blood seemed to freeze. "Are you serious, Dad?"
He answered sadly, "Yes, I am. But I will never force you if you don't want to."
Ella retreated to her room, tears burning in her eyes. This was not how she had imagined her marriage. She had dreamed of love, of dating, of the moment when her dream man would ask for her hand with her full consent. It felt as though fate was punishing her, shattering her hopes. That night, she fell asleep with tears soaking her pillow, caught between two bitter choices.
The next morning, she woke up hoping it had all been a nightmare—but reality awaited her at the breakfast table. She had no appetite, until her mother asked, "What will you do this evening, Ella?"
Distracted, Ella replied, "Huh? What did you say, Mom?"
Her mother repeated with a smile, "I'm going to visit your grandfather. Will you come with me?"
Ella answered briefly, "Okay, Mom."
She went to school, and despite the heavy burden on her heart, she refused to let her problem interfere with her studies; learning was her only escape. In the evening, after finishing her exhausting shift at the café, she changed her clothes and accompanied her mother to the hospital.
She entered her grandfather's room with a forced smile, trying to hide her pain. But her grandfather—who had raised her in the absence of her always-working parents—read her eyes like an open book. Before she left, he stopped her with a gentle smile and said, "Don't worry about me, my little one. In the end, I'm just an old man whose time has passed… Take care of yourself, and do what you want—not what others want."
Ella left, holding back her tears, whispering to herself, "That's exactly what I want, Grandpa… but your well-being comes first."
At eleven that night, Ella lay in bed, unable to sleep. Her father knocked softly on the door. "Ella, are you awake?"
She sat up. "Yes, Dad, come in."
She asked anxiously, "Is there anything new?"
He replied, "I wanted to know your decision. The man who will lend us the money wants to meet you and talk to you."
Ella said firmly, though her voice concealed a quiet heartbreak, "I've made my decision. I'll go meet him. But tell me, Dad—does it make sense that in the twenty-first century, marriages still happen like this?"
He smiled, trying to reassure her. "I don't know… but I spoke with Mr. Martin. He seems like a kind man and promised to take care of you."
Ella forced a brave smile. "I'm not afraid. You know I can handle myself. I'll meet Mr. Martin, and I think we'll get along."
The next day, Ella returned home early to prepare—she had received a formal dinner invitation from Mr. Martin… "the wealthy father-in-law."