But his “kindness” came with a repulsive and strange condition: I had to marry him. For a young woman, it’s hard to imagine anything more disgusting. But I agreed — for my father, for my family — convincing myself that he was old, that he wouldn’t live long, and that at least we would be saved.

I was terrified of the wedding night. I sat on the edge of the bed, hugging my knees, shaking so hard my teeth chattered. I was afraid even to imagine what would happen when he came in.

And then the door opened. He entered slowly, heavily, with a strange wandering gaze… and he brought a chair with him. He placed it next to the bed, sat down, and in a quiet voice — as if it were the most normal request in the world — he said:

— Nothing will happen between us tonight. Sleep.

— And… will you sleep next to me?

— No. I want to watch you while you sleep.