Elle has grown up as a poster child for wealth and luxury, but when she meets Bode—a man who comes from humble beginnings—she knows that her parents will reject her choices. But later, the family learns that there’s so much more to Bode than they ever thought.

I grew up with a canvas painted of privilege, which was about to be splattered with the unexpected shades of love and revelation. It’s strange, you know, growing up in a world where the thickness of your wallet is equated to the depth of your character.

But that’s how my parents were — we lived a life of glitz and glamour, cloaked in opulence. It was all my siblings and I knew because we had grown up in that manner.

Enter stage left: a man who changed my entire perspective of the world.

I met Bode at a bookstore. It was one of the places where I would gladly spend hours walking in and out of the aisles of books — most of which I already had in our library at home.

Bode walked in, straight to the self-help section, and began reading the titles of the books with a bemused expression.

“Do you think these books actually make a difference in a person’s life?” he asked me as I looked to see what he was reading.

“Depends on your perspective,” I replied, eyeing him up.

He didn’t come from wealth and lived a simple life. He told me that he didn’t have a fancy car, and no sprawling estate. He didn’t have a trust fund, and he was the epitome of everything my parents scorned.

But to me, Bode was the breath of fresh air in a stifling room of material excess.

Our relationship unfolded easily after Bode asked for my number in the bookstore.

“I’ll call you, Elle,” he said. “And I really look forward to getting to know you.”

Bode became my secret — and I was certain that he would remain that way until I was sure of him. I knew that my parents wouldn’t approve of him, so I didn’t want to cause any drama between us. Not until I was sure of him.

Our relationship wasn’t built on extravagant dates or lavish gifts but on picnics in the park, nights spent under the stars, and conversations that bordered our differences.

After a while, Bode wanted to meet my parents.

“I have to meet them, Elle,” he said. “How else will we take the next step?”

I told my mother that my boyfriend wanted to meet the family, and she arranged for our cook to prepare an elaborate meal.

“If we must, Elle,” she said. “But I hope it will be worth it, you know how your father is with his time being wasted.”

The evening came, and Bode showed up, holding a bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolates. He was exceptionally nervous.

“Sir, ma’am,” Bode said. “I may not have much in the way of wealth, but I promise to love and cherish Elle. I seek your blessing to marry her.”

That was news to me.

I smiled at Bode, my heart brimming. Unfortunately, that was the same time my parents burst out laughing. Their cold and mocking laughter took over our dining room.

“You think you’re worthy of our Elle?” my father scoffed. “Really? You’re serious?”

“I’m absolutely serious,” Bode said, his hand clutching mine beneath the table.

“Don’t jest,” my mother said, picking up her fork once again — marking the end of the topic.

Despite their harsh words, Bode continued his polite conversation with them.

But I knew that he wasn’t okay. His hand, in mine, was sweaty, and I could tell that his ears were hot.

Just days later, our world as we knew it changed completely.

My parents and I arrived home from a gala to policemen waiting.

“I’m sorry, Sir,” an officer said. “But by order of the court, this house is no longer yours.”

As my mother gasped, my father began complaining to the officer, threatening his job.

I took out my phone to text Bode, but as I did that, the front door opened to reveal the most unexpected sight — my boyfriend, completely transformed.

Gone were his usual comfortable clothes, replaced by a suit that screamed wealth and authority.

“What are you doing here?” my father barked.

“Mr. Wilson,” Bode said. “Confess the truth, or I shall,” Bode declared, his gaze locked with my father’s.

“Someone speak. Now,” my mother commanded.

“I don’t think this is the time or place,” my father said.

“It couldn’t be a better time,” Bode said, leaning against the door.

“I went bankrupt years ago, living on borrowed time and borrowed money. The fear of losing everything was too much — it consumed me. Everything we own isn’t exactly in my name,” my father said, looking at the ground.

“Then, whose is it?” my mother asked.

“Mine,” Bode said, stepping forward. “My father took over the Wilson debt when Eric went bankrupt. But since then, everything has been transferred to me. Everything belongs to me. And Elle, when she marries me.”

The man I loved, whom I believed to be without wealth, was in fact a successful young businessman. He had concealed his true wealth, seeking love that was blind to his financial status.

He wanted to test my parents, to see if they could accept a man who didn’t fit their social or financial expectations.

“But I wouldn’t expect Elle to marry me if I held this above the family. So, here you go,” Bode said.

He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a thick envelope.

“Here’s everything. In this contract, I’ve relinquished everything from my name. It’s yours.”

Bode held the envelope out to my father, who stared at his hand.

“You can work for me, advising me on my financial matters. All I ask is for Elle’s hand in marriage.”

My parents were speechless for a minute before declaring that Bode had their blessings and well wishes.

It’s been a few weeks since my parents were taught a valuable lesson. Bode has proposed, but the wedding planning has yet to begin. I love Bode, but I don’t know this new version of him.

It’s going to take a moment to get to know him.

What would you do?