Elena went to bed that night with fear still tight in her chest. She had married Mr. Hugo only hours earlier and had no idea what to expect.

At sunrise, she found a small note beside her. Her hands shook as she read.

“Elena,
I know this must feel overwhelming. I never want to frighten you. You’re free to live your life and use the money on the table however you choose. I hope one day we can be friends.
—Hugo.”

The kindness in the message stunned her. On the table sat a stack of bills and a set of keys.

When she walked into the living room, Mr. Hugo looked up from his newspaper with a warm, gentle smile.

“Good morning, Elena.”

For the first time, her fear loosened. He didn’t want to control her — he respected her.

In the days that followed, she began carving out her own path. She enrolled in classes she’d always wanted and used the scooter to explore the city. Mr. Hugo remained quietly supportive.

Slowly, fear began to fade, replaced by trust.