I’ll admit, my original intentions weren’t admirable. Love had nothing to do with it. I was driven purely by the desire to get back at my parents.
For most of my adult life, I’d lived exactly as I pleased—lavish parties, sports cars, extravagant trips. I never worried about the future because I assumed I’d eventually inherit my father’s company.
Then came “the talk.”
One evening, my father leaned forward, speaking as though we were negotiating a corporate merger.
“Alex,” he began, “your mother and I think it’s time you settle down.”
I gave a short laugh. “You mean get married?”
“Exactly,” he confirmed, holding my gaze. “You’re nearly thirty. If you want the business, you’ll need to show commitment. A wife, a family—you can’t handle this empire on your own.”
My mother’s voice joined in, disappointment heavy in her tone. “Your father built this from nothing. We can’t trust it to someone who treats life like a playground.”
I was livid. They wanted me married? Fine—I’d give them exactly what they asked for, in the most irritating way possible. I’d choose a wife they’d never approve of.
That’s when I met Mary.
She wasn’t from the circles I normally mixed with. I spotted her at a quiet charity event—modest dress, hair pulled back, no designer logos. She carried herself with a calm, almost understated grace.
When I struck up a conversation, she barely reacted.
“Nice to meet you, Alex,” she said, without a hint of awe.
I asked where she was from.
“Oh, just a small town,” she answered with a faint smile. “Nothing special.”
Perfect.
I decided to be upfront—well, upfront in my own way. “I’m looking for someone to marry,” I told her, “but you’ll have to pass a few… let’s call them ‘tests.’”
Her brow arched in surprise before she chuckled. “Funny. I was just thinking I might be open to marriage myself.”
We struck a deal—on one condition.
“No questions about my past,” she said. “Just let them believe I’m a simple small-town girl.”
It was music to my ears.
Introducing her to my parents went exactly as planned. My mother forced a polite smile, my father frowned, and I could see their disapproval boiling under the surface.
Mary played the part flawlessly—soft-spoken, a little unsure around their high-society chatter. I could practically hear my parents grinding their teeth.
But sometimes, I’d catch a glint in her eye. Not nervousness—something closer to quiet amusement.
The charity ball was supposed to be her “final test.” The venue was dripping with wealth—gilded chandeliers, silk-draped tables, polished silverware. Mary’s understated presence stood out, exactly how I wanted.
Then, the unexpected happened. The mayor approached us with a broad grin.
“Mary! What a pleasure!” he said warmly, taking her hand.
My parents looked stunned. I was equally baffled.
“You know, people are still talking about the children’s hospital project you funded,” the mayor continued. “Your family’s generosity is remarkable.”
Mary thanked him politely. He moved on, leaving us in silence.
Before I could ask questions, an old family acquaintance, Jack, appeared. “Mary? I didn’t know you were back in town!”
Mary smiled faintly. “I came back for my wedding,” she admitted.
Jack’s eyes widened as he turned to me. “Alex… you’re marrying Mary—the Charity Princess? Her family’s one of the biggest philanthropists in the state!”
My stomach dropped. I’d heard the name before, but never connected it to her.
When I finally got her alone, I asked, “So… Charity Princess?”
“Yes,” she said matter-of-factly. “My family runs the largest charitable trust around. But I’ve kept my distance from all of this for years.”
I demanded to know why she hadn’t told me.
“Probably for the same reason you didn’t tell me this was a fake marriage to rile your parents,” she replied calmly. “I had my own reasons.”
She explained that her parents had been pressuring her to marry for status, just like mine. She’d wanted out. My ridiculous scheme offered her an escape, so she agreed—on her own terms.
In that moment, my whole perspective shifted. This wasn’t a naive small-town girl. Mary was sharp, independent, and had been playing her own game all along.
Somewhere along the way, my feelings had changed. I’d started to respect her… and now I wanted her for real.
One evening, as we prepared for another event, I found myself watching her work. She caught my gaze. “What?” she asked.
“I just didn’t realize how strong you were,” I admitted. “You’ve handled all of this without a single complaint.”
She smiled softly. “I’m not doing it for them, Alex. I’m doing it for me.”
I knew then we needed to tell our parents the truth—not as co-conspirators, but as partners.
When we sat them down the next day, I wasn’t worried about their reaction. For the first time, I was choosing my future honestly—and I wanted Mary beside me.