At 22 years old, I married the 70-year-old widow of the richest Arab in the country to escape poverty. I was certain I could stick it out by her side for a few years and then become a wealthy man. But on our very first wedding night, what she did truly ‘hurt’ me. – Cute Info

My hands began to tremble.

I had imagined millions.

I had imagined freedom.

Instead, I was looking at a future that depended on an allowance I hadn’t even bothered to negotiate.

“I want a divorce,” I said.

The words came out before I could stop them.

Margaret leaned back in her chair.

“Of course you do.”

She turned another page.

“Now we arrive at the second problem.”

She pointed to a clause dealing with early termination of the marriage and the financial consequences of a departure without the circumstances specified in the agreement.

Under the contract’s terms, a spouse who initiated a separation without meeting certain conditions could face a substantial claim for damages. The figure specified in the document was five million dollars.

I read it again.

Then a third time.

“Five million?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t have five million dollars!”

“That is something you might have considered before signing a contract you didn’t understand.”