THEY FORCED HER TO MARRY A POOR MAN BECAUSE SHE WAS ADOPTED

 THEY FORCED HER TO MARRY A POOR MAN BECAUSE SHE WAS ADOPTED.... Part 6

She opened the bag and began sifting through the clothes inside. As she pulled them out, a wave of sadness washed over her. The clothes were all ragged, torn, and worn thin from years of use. They were far from the kind of clothes one might expect someone to wear while taking care of such a beautiful house and compound. Ruth paused, her hands lingering over the fabric. There was nothing new—nothing even remotely close to something Mark could wear that would make him look presentable. She felt a pang of sympathy for him, wondering why he didn’t buy new clothes or at least try to clean up.

Her fingers brushed against the fabric, and she couldn’t help but think that Mark deserved better. Why would he put so much effort into maintaining a big house for someone else, but not seem to care for his own well-being?

She sat back on the small couch, the question lingering in her mind. She didn’t know why Mark lived this way, but one thing was clear—he had secrets. Secrets that seemed to be locked up tightly, just like his neglected appearance. Ruth felt a mix of curiosity and concern. There was so much about Mark that she didn’t understand, and maybe—just maybe—she was beginning to wonder if she’d ever get the chance to.

The hours passed, and Ruth found herself lost in her thoughts. The mystery of Mark and his life was starting to weigh on her, and she realized, maybe for the first time, that staying here, in this quiet, strange place with him, might open doors to answers she never expected.

In the evening Mark came home looking exhausted, as he sat down on one of the sofas, Ruth served him a plate of food she had made earlier that day.

His eyes lit up as he smiled “Thank you so much Ruth” he said as he started eating.

Few hours after eating Mark did something surprising, he called Ruth who was outside the room.

He began removing all the money he had made from the day's hustle.

“This is all I made today from work,” he said, handing it all over to her.

Ruth counted the money, it was twenty five thousand naira and it was too much she felt.

“How did you get all this money?” She asked

“From work, but I was lucky today, there are days I don’t make anything, at all”

Ruth understands what he meant jobs are not always available everyday.

 “Are you asking me to keep the money for you” Ruth asked to be sure 

“No I am asking you to use it and run the house, I promise if I go out tomorrow and make more I will always give.” He said

 Ruth narrowed her eyes in disbelief, Mark maybe shabby and not her choice but his heart was gold, he is doing everything to make her happy and comfortable and she knew she can’t just stay back at home everyday doing nothing to support him.

And true to his words, Everyday Mark hands over all his earnings to her.

One evening Mark’s return was like the others, though this time he seemed a little more tired than usual. Ruth noticed the weariness in his eyes but was still taken aback by how, despite his exhaustion, he handed her the envelope with his salary without a second thought.

"My boss has sent me my salary," he said, smiling tiredly as he handed her the envelope. "This is the money."

Ruth stood there for a moment, stunned, unable to fully process the gravity of what he had just done. What kind of man just gives all of his earnings to a woman? A man like Mark, who had no pretensions, no desire for control, and no expectations. Just simplicity, purity, and trust. It was all so foreign to her, but somehow, she couldn’t deny how it made her feel. The weight of his actions felt heavy in her chest, and for a split second, she felt like the luckiest woman in the world.

She looked at him, and it was hard to imagine he was the same man she had dismissed when she first met him. The thought of him now, holding out everything he had, simply to make sure she was okay, was both humbling and beautiful. Ruth found herself questioning her past decisions and emotions. Why had she ever thought so little of him? He wasn’t just a shabby man from the streets—he was a man with a heart of gold.

Ruth finally took the envelope, her fingers trembling slightly, almost as if she feared the power it held. It was all his money, his hard-earned salary for the month, and here she was, with it in her hands. She could do anything with it. She could leave, disappear without a trace, and no one would question her. Yet, in that moment, it felt wrong to even entertain such a thought.

Her eyes lingered on the envelope as a sense of guilt crept into her chest. Mark trusted her, believed in her with a level of vulnerability that she had never experienced before. And there it was, a simple trust that had become the foundation of their bond. His faith in her was so absolute, so pure, that it made her feel like the walls she had built around herself were beginning to crumble, piece by piece.

As the evening went on, Ruth couldn't stop thinking about it. She had been so closed off, so guarded, but Mark's unwavering trust and sincerity had slowly worked their way into her heart. It wasn’t just the money; it was the quiet acts of care, the little things he did—always putting her needs before his, always thinking of how he could make her life easier.

She glanced at Mark as he sat down, resting his head against the wall, eyes closing for a moment. He looked so vulnerable in his tiredness, and Ruth felt a surge of emotion wash over her. She never meant for it to happen, but she had fallen for him.

Ruth carefully placed the envelope on the table, her fingers lingering on it for a moment longer than necessary. Mark was still talking about his day, detailing how much work he had done, how much effort he had put in to make sure he earned enough for both of them, and it was in that moment that Ruth realized just how much he was sacrificing for her.

And then it hit her—the realization that she wanted to support him just as he was supporting her. She wanted to do more than just be the passive recipient of his kindness. She wanted to be his partner in every sense of the word.

Weeks went by, and Ruth found herself changing in ways she had never expected. She began taking more pride in her responsibilities around the house, maintaining the garden, and ensuring everything was clean and organized. The house, which once felt like a temporary space, had started to feel like home.

She was also saving a little money of her own, quietly tucking away the small amounts Mark gave her. Not for herself, not yet. But for them, for their future. She didn't know exactly what it would look like, but she knew that they were building something together, something real and solid. Something she could be proud of.

LINK TO THE FINAL EPISODE 👇👇

https://pboisworld.blogspot.com/2025/06/they-forced-her-to-marry-poor-man_0.html