I Chose Love Over Wealth, Marrying a Janitor — My Father’s Words Changed Everything

I Married a Janitor to Spite My Wealthy Dad — When My Dad Came to Speak with My Husband, He Fell to His Knees at His Words
Anna married a janitor she had met on the street, but she was stuck in her father’s world of money and strict expectations. What began as a revolt, however, turned into a passionate encounter that brought her father to his knees in regret, surprising love, and family secrets.

I had been ruled by my father all my life. He wasn’t particularly harsh, but to him, everything was a calculating, cold, and lucrative business.

I was a valuable asset in his world, a piece of chess in his eternal game. My future spouse? He would not be someone to laugh or adore, but rather the “strategic partner” for our family’s benefit.

He would always add, “You’ll thank me one day,” in a decisive and stern tone. “Dear, it’s not about love. Stability is the key. Stability and strength are prerequisites for true love.

But his words weighed more each year. For me, “what’s best” felt like a cage I was being forced into with no control over it. And this feeling only worsened as I grew older. My “duty” to the family was a recurring motif in every meal and conversation.

You are our lone kid, Anna. You have an obligation. Are you unable to comprehend that? One evening over another peaceful supper, he said.

I finally had enough one chilly October afternoon. Leaving behind the icy quiet that felt more like a graveyard than a dwelling, I left the house and began to stroll around the city. Even though I had no idea where I was heading, I knew I had to get away, even if it was just for a few hours.

I noticed him as I rounded a corner. In front of a row of stores, a young man with a slight limp was raking leaves off the pavement.

He moved cautiously and gently, as though every broom stroke was a silent rite. He worked in such a serene manner that it seemed as though he was a part of the city.

I approached him without giving it any thought.

“Excuse me,” I murmured, trembling. Startled, he looked up but remained silent and waited.

“Hey… I—” I inhaled and steadied myself. “I require a spouse. What are your thoughts about getting married today?

He looked at me as if I had just stepped out of a foreign world and raised an eyebrow.

“You serious?” he said in a calm, deep voice.

“Yes,” I said, attempting to sound calm, but my voice betrayed my desperation. “It’s not It isn’t what you believe. This has nothing to do with love or anything similar. It’s simply I have to leave a situation.”

He gave me a thoughtful gaze. “So, you’re saying… you need a fake husband?”

“Exactly. A commercial transaction. I took a swallow. “Just something to get my father off my back.” I immediately retrieved my phone’s picture of my father and showed it to the janitor. “Here.”

He took a moment to carefully examine the image. As though recognizing the man, he scowled. He added, “Name’s Ethan,” while holding out his hand. “You’re really serious about this?”

I gave a nod. “As serious as I’ll ever be.”

Ethan continued to appear uncertain, as like he was waiting for me to acknowledge that this was a joke. You don’t know me, you see. He studied me and said, “This could be trouble.” His gaze was steady, anchored, and not cruel.

I tried to soothe him by saying, “It’s just a contract,” “After that, I won’t bother you. You’ll be allowed to continue living your life.”

He was silent for a long time, his face unreadable as he watched me. He finally let out a slow exhale. “All right,” he said softly. “If it allows you to escape this mess.” Please know that once I commit to something, I don’t usually back out.”

I experienced an unexpected wave of relief. I said, “Thank you,” nearly out of breath. “Thank you, Ethan.”

He smiled at me a little, knowingly. I guess I’ve been a little insane all my life. However, this—this might be the best.

We headed straight to city hall that afternoon. Just two strangers signing a piece of paper together—no flowers, no white dress.

Ethan turned to me and grinned as we left the building. “Well, looks like we’re in this together now.”

Then reality set in. I recently got married to a stranger.

The days that followed seemed to fly by. A rhythm developed between Ethan and me that was odd and oddly reassuring.

Life was easy and leisurely in his world, and he taught me things I had never considered, such as how to budget for groceries or prepare breakfast on my own.

My father was furious to learn that I had gotten married. Every hour, he called me, his messages brief and his voice cold. I ignored him for days before picking up the phone.

“What is going on, Anna?” He made a demand. “A stranger is the person you married! A cleaner! Have you gone insane?

“It’s my life, Dad,” I said, my voice trembling.

“Anna, you have obligations. Do you believe that this foolishness will be respected by the world? I will visit tomorrow. I would like to meet your hubby.

“Fine, Dad,” I responded, shivering at the idea. However, I knew I couldn’t stay away from it forever.

My father showed up at our tiny flat the following evening. Wearing his go-to luxury suit, he looked about the room with a disgusted expression, as if the modest décor and mismatched furniture were objectionable.

He turned to face me and said, “Anna, are you really staying here?”

When I said, “This is our home,” I folded my arms. Behind me, I sensed Ethan’s steady, composed presence.

My father then turned to face him, glancing up and down. He uttered the words, “So, you’re the man who married my daughter,” in a contemptuous tone. “Are you aware of her identity? Do you know how much she is worth?

Unfazed, Ethan looked him in the eye. “Yes, sir, I do,” he said in a calm, steady voice. “I know she’s more than her last name, or the money attached to it.”

My dad sneered. “Oh, I see. Your lines are all correct. You’re obviously only interested in what you stand to earn, not love.

Ethan stood firmly and stated, “Actually, sir, I don’t care about your money.” or your position. Anna is important to me.

My father became enraged and his cheeks flushed. He growled, “You expect me to believe that?” “You’re just a janitor—a nobody.”

Ethan did not recoil. He gave my father a direct look. He answered, “Even though I work as a janitor, I understand honesty.” and deference. I am aware that Anna is not worthy of being used as a pawn.

My father’s face shifted, displaying a mixture of incredulity and rage. “And what gives you the right to lecture me about respect?”

Ethan inhaled deeply. “You’re not familiar with my last name, are you? What if I told you that Andrew was the name of my father? His voice was calm but had a harsh edge when he asked.

A look of bewilderment flashed across my father’s face as he scowled. “Andrew?”

“You knew him once,” added Ethan. “Until you kicked him out, he was one of your business partners. took all of his possessions. He went from being a business owner to a floor scrubber. And I grew up that way.

My father’s face became white, and I could feel the shock reverberating through the room. “That isn’t possible. “Years ago,” he stumbled, looking into Ethan’s face. “You’re his son?”

Ethan gave a nod. “He never got better. However, he brought me up to be superior to resentment. And here I am.

My father averted his gaze, his shoulders slumping as though he had aged in an instant. He then abruptly fell to his knees. “Andrew was a friend of mine. I had to be desperate. I had a family, and it was either him or me. I was doing what I felt was necessary. I apologize.

There was a long pause. My father finally turned to face me, and I saw something for the first time in his eyes. It was remorse. “I never intended for you to become involved in this, Anna. I believed that creating a future for you was the correct thing to do.

“A future you chose for me,” I said quietly in response. “But I’m choosing my own now.”

My father turned and walked out without saying another word, his body sagging as he descended the steps. A strange mix of relief and melancholy settled in my chest as I watched him leave.

Days went by. I felt the weight of my father’s absence even though I didn’t hear from him. Then, one night, someone knocked on the door. I was shocked to see him standing clumsily and appearing somewhat unsure.

He said, “Ethan,” in a softer voice than I had ever heard. “I should apologize to you. For now, not simply for the past. For everything. I can do better for my daughter, but I can’t take back what I did to your family. Now I see that.

Accepting the remarks with silent respect, Ethan nodded. “Sir, it is the only thing anyone can do. Everybody makes errors. What we do after is what counts.

We all met in a little park a week later. Andrew, Ethan’s father, had arrived in town. As Andrew walked up, my father wrung his hands nervously. After a long moment of quiet between the two men, my father extended his hand.

“I apologize, Andrew. I can’t take back the things I did at the time, but I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

Years had softened Andrew’s features as he nodded softly. “Back then, we were two different men. However, there is always time to improve.

As a tiny patchwork over years of grief and animosity, they shook hands. I saw my father and Andrew turn to face us, letting go of the past as they welcomed a future as two families bound together by the forgiving power.

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