Everyone laughed when they sent an eighty-year-old man and his eighteen-year-old wife off to spend their wedding night together. “Let’s see if Grandpa can make it until morning,” one relative joked through a burst of laughter. He didn’t respond. He simply picked up his old briefcase and closed the door. When six relatives opened it the next morning, they stopped laughing when they discovered what he had been protecting all night.

The moment you feel completely safe, we will obtain a quiet divorce.

I will sleep in a separate bedroom, and I will never touch you, as you have my sacred word of honor.”

Chloe broke down and began crying tears of overwhelming relief.

“Why would you sacrifice your reputation to do something like this for me?” Chloe asked softly.

Walter pulled a carefully folded piece of paper out of his coat pocket and handed it to her.

“I am doing this because your father asked me never to leave you alone,” Walter answered quietly.