I’ll admit it—I didn’t start this with the right intentions. Love wasn’t on my mind, not even close. I just wanted to prove a point. I wanted to get back at my parents.
You see, I’ve always lived life on my own terms. Fast cars, wild parties, luxury vacations—I had it all. Being the heir to my father’s multi-million-dollar business meant I never had to worry about money. I knew one day, the company would be mine. Or at least, that’s what I thought.
That all changed when my parents sat me down for “the talk.”
“Listen, Alex,” my father said, his tone firm as he leaned forward like he was closing a business deal. “Your mother and I have decided—it’s time for you to settle down.”
I smirked, leaning back. “Settle down? You mean get married?”
“Precisely,” he nodded, his gaze locked onto mine. “You’re almost thirty. If you want the company, we need to see responsibility. That means a wife. A family. You can’t run a business like this alone.”
My mother pursed her lips, shaking her head. “Your father built this company with hard work and sacrifice, Alex. We can’t entrust it to someone who treats life like a game.”
I clenched my jaw. This wasn’t about responsibility. This was control. They wanted to force me into a life I wasn’t ready for. But if they wanted me to marry, fine. I’d marry someone they’d never approve of.
And that’s how I found Mary.
I met her at a charity event—not one of those high-society galas my parents dragged me to, but a small community fundraiser. She wasn’t like the women I usually met. No designer dress, no desperate attempt to impress. She had a quiet confidence, her hair tied back in a simple ponytail, her hands busy handing out food to the less fortunate.
“Nice to meet you, Alex,” she said with a polite nod when I introduced myself. She barely even looked at me. Like she wasn’t impressed at all.
Perfect.
“So, Mary,” I started, cutting to the chase. “How do you feel about marriage?”
She raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”
“I know it sounds strange, but I need a wife. For… reasons.” I hesitated, then added, “You’d have to pass a few ‘tests’ first, of course.”
Mary studied me for a moment, then to my surprise, she laughed. “Well, isn’t that funny?” she mused. “I was just thinking I could use a little ‘marriage’ myself.”
I blinked. “Wait… seriously?”
She shrugged. “But on one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“No questions about my past. As far as anyone is concerned, I’m just a girl from a small town. Got it?”
I grinned. “Got it.”
When I introduced Mary to my parents, their horror was evident. My mother’s forced smile barely masked her disappointment as she took in Mary’s modest dress and quiet demeanor.
“Oh… Mary, is it?” she said, her voice too sweet to be genuine.
Dad’s frown deepened. “Alex, this isn’t exactly what we had in mind.”
I smirked. “You wanted me to settle down. Mary’s perfect for me. She doesn’t care about all this flashy nonsense.”
Mary played her part well. She was polite but reserved, never showing too much interest in our lavish lifestyle. I watched as my parents exchanged worried glances, and I felt victorious.
But something about Mary remained a mystery. There were moments when I caught a knowing glint in her eye, like she was in on a joke I didn’t understand.
“Are you sure this is what you want, Alex?” she asked me one evening after a particularly awkward dinner with my parents.
“More than ever,” I laughed. “They’re horrified, Mary. It’s working.”
“Well,” she murmured, her voice too soft, “glad I could help.”
Then came the charity ball.
The grand hall sparkled under chandeliers, silk tablecloths gleaming under golden lights. My parents had invited the most influential people in town. And there, standing beside me in her simple dress, Mary was exactly what I wanted her to be—out of place.
“Tonight’s the final test,” I whispered to her.
She met my gaze, expression unreadable. “I know the drill.”
Everything was going smoothly—until the mayor himself approached us.
“Mary! Wonderful to see you here!” he exclaimed, shaking her hand enthusiastically.
My parents’ jaws nearly hit the floor. I froze. The mayor knew Mary?
Mary’s smile was polite but strained. “Good to see you too, Mayor.”
“Everyone’s still talking about the children’s hospital your family funded,” the mayor continued. “Your contributions have been incredible.”
My mother gasped audibly. My father’s eyes narrowed. I could feel the weight of their stares on me.
Then an old family friend, Jack, approached, looking stunned. “Mary! I didn’t know you were back in town! The Charity Princess herself!”
My stomach dropped. I had heard that title before—everyone had. The ‘Charity Princess’ was the heiress to one of the biggest philanthropic families in the country.
And I had just introduced her as my ‘humble country wife.’
The moment we could escape, I pulled Mary aside. “So… Charity Princess?”
She sighed. “Yes. My family runs a major charity foundation. But I left that life. I didn’t want to be part of it.”
I ran a hand through my hair, still trying to process. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
She met my gaze. “The same reason you didn’t tell me you were using me to spite your parents. I had my own reasons.”
I exhaled sharply. “So, you knew all along this was fake?”
She gave a small smile. “Of course. But it worked out for both of us, didn’t it?”
I stared at her, realization hitting me. This wasn’t some naive girl. She was strong, independent, and had played me just as much as I had played my parents. And the worst part? I respected her for it.
That night, as I watched Mary interact with the guests, I saw her in a new light. She wasn’t out of place—she belonged here more than I ever did. And suddenly, my entire plan felt childish. What started as a game to irritate my parents had turned into something else entirely.
One evening, while planning another charity event my mother insisted we attend, I caught myself watching Mary.
She looked up. “What?”
“I just… I didn’t realize how strong you were,” I admitted. “You’ve done more than I ever could in your position.”
She smiled—genuine this time. “I’m not doing this for them. I’m doing it for me.”
And in that moment, I knew. I wanted this marriage to be real.
The next day, we asked our parents to sit down. As we prepared to reveal the truth, I felt strangely at peace. For once, I wasn’t afraid of what they’d say.
Because with Mary by my side, I was ready to do things the right way.
