And I had no intention of spending another decade pretending I was satisfied with the life I could afford.

But as the wedding approached, Arthur’s situation became increasingly strange.

His Bentley was suddenly “in the repair shop.”

Then he claimed his investment accounts had been temporarily frozen.

A few weeks before the ceremony, he even asked me to lend him money for his wedding suit.

“I’m arranging a huge surprise for you, darling,” he kept saying.

“I only need a little more time.”

I was not interested in surprises.

I wanted the fortune.

So I stayed patient.