He was sixty-five years old. He had long accepted the idea that he would spend his old age alone — his wife had passed away five years ago, and since then every evening he returned to an empty house.
Everything changed one evening when he visited his old friend. There he saw his friend’s young, unmarried daughter and immediately fell in love.
She was much younger than him, but between them a bond blossomed quickly — one that could not be described in words. They talked for hours, discovering in each other the warmth and understanding that both had sorely lacked. Soon their feelings became obvious: he fell deeply in love with her, and she loved him in return.
However, the girl’s father was opposed to their union. “You will disgrace the family,” he shouted, locking his daughter outside. The girl wrote letters, and the man waited by the gate, hoping for even the slightest glance. They were separated, forbidden from seeing one another, but their love did not fade.
They fought for their right to be together, and despite the opposition, they reached their goal — the wedding took place.
That day felt like a celebration of a new life. The man felt young again, and his bride was happy. It seemed that only joy awaited them ahead. But…
On their wedding night, when he cautiously began unbuttoning her wedding dress, he saw something terrible.
Under the clothes he saw deep, fresh wounds on her back. The man froze, unable to believe his eyes. The girl looked away, tears shimmering on her cheeks.
“This was done by my father,” she whispered. “All this time, he has beaten me… saying I am shameful for him and for our family…”
The man felt his insides constrict. His heart squeezed with pain and anger. He understood: in all the days they had fought for the right to be together, she had paid a terrible price.
He held her close — careful not to touch the wounds — and softly said,
“Now you will never be alone again. I will do everything to protect you.”
That night was not just the start of a happy family life, but a vow. For the rest of his life he would stay by her side — never allowing anyone to hurt her again.
