I never expected to fall in love. That wasn’t part of the plan.
It all started as a way to defy my parents. They had always controlled my life, shaping my future without my input. I lived the way I wanted, without rules—parties, fast cars, expensive vacations. And why not? I knew that one day, I’d inherit my father’s business.
But then came “the talk.”
“Alex,” my father said one evening, his sharp eyes locking onto mine, “your mother and I have made a decision. It’s time for you to settle down.”
I leaned back, scoffing. “Settle down? You mean get married?”
“Exactly.” His tone was firm, leaving no room for argument. “If you want the company, we need to see commitment. That means a wife, a family. You can’t run a business like this alone.”
My mother chimed in, shaking her head in disappointment. “Your father worked his entire life to build this empire, Alex. We can’t trust it to someone who treats life like a game.”
I clenched my jaw, anger bubbling inside me. They thought they could push me into marriage like it was a business deal? Fine. I’d play their game—but on my own terms. If they wanted a wife, I’d give them one. Someone they’d never approve of.
That’s when I met Mary.
She wasn’t from the usual circles I mingled in. I found her at a charity event, a quiet volunteer with her hair tied back, wearing a simple dress. She wasn’t impressed by wealth, didn’t hang on every word I said, and barely looked at me when I introduced myself.
“Nice to meet you, Alex,” she said, her voice calm and steady, as if she had better things to do than talk to me.
Intrigued, I asked, “So, Mary, where are you from?”
“Oh, just a small town,” she answered with a polite smile. “Nothing fancy.”
Perfect.
I wasted no time. “How do you feel about marriage?”
Her eyebrows shot up. “Excuse me?”
“I know it sounds strange,” I said, flashing my most confident grin. “But I need a wife. And you need to pass some ‘tests’ first.”
She studied me for a moment, then laughed—a soft, knowing laugh. “Funny thing is, I was just thinking I could use a little ‘marriage’ myself.”
“Really?” I asked, caught off guard. “So, is it a deal?”
She tilted her head. “On one condition. No questions about my past. Just a girl from a small town, that’s all they need to know. You good with that?”
I grinned, shaking her hand. “Perfect.”
When I introduced Mary to my parents, their reaction was priceless.
My mother forced a smile, her eyes scanning Mary’s simple dress. “Oh… Mary, is it?” Her tone was polite, but barely.
My father’s frown deepened. “Alex, this… this isn’t exactly what we had in mind.”
I shrugged, barely hiding my grin. “Well, you wanted me to settle down. Mary’s perfect. She’s kind, humble, and doesn’t care about all this fancy nonsense.”
Mary played her part well. She answered politely, nodded in all the right places, and acted just unsure enough to make my parents squirm. But sometimes, I caught something else in her expression—an amusement, a knowing look that unsettled me.
“Are you sure this is what you want?” she asked me one evening after dinner with my parents.
“More than ever,” I said, laughing. “They’re horrified. This is working.”
She just smiled, her expression unreadable. “Glad I could help.”
Then came the charity ball.
The grand hall shimmered under golden chandeliers. My parents had spared no expense. Tables draped in silk, silverware so polished it could blind you, and guests dressed in designer gowns.
Mary stood beside me, her simple elegance making her stand out in a way I hadn’t anticipated. I leaned down, whispering, “Tonight’s the final test. Just blend in.”
She met my gaze. “I know the drill.”
And she did. She spoke softly, smiled politely, never drawing attention. My parents threw her disapproving glances, still holding out hope she’d disappear into the background.
Then, the mayor approached us, beaming.
“Mary! What a pleasure to see you!” he said, shaking her hand firmly.
I froze. My parents stared. The mayor knew Mary?
Mary’s smile was polite but stiff. “Good to see you too, Mayor.”
“Your family’s contributions to the children’s hospital are still making a difference,” he continued warmly. “Everyone still talks about it.”
My mother gasped softly. My father’s expression turned unreadable. I was completely lost.
Then another guest approached. “Mary! It’s been ages. I didn’t know you were back in town.”
Mary sighed, forcing a small laugh. “I, uh, didn’t exactly announce it. I came back for my… wedding.”
The man turned to me, grinning. “Alex, you’re marrying Mary the Charity Princess? Her family’s one of the biggest philanthropists in the state!”
My stomach dropped. Charity Princess. That Mary.
As soon as we could slip away, I pulled her aside. “So… Charity Princess?”
She sighed, glancing away. “Yes. My family owns one of the largest charity funds. They run in these circles, but I don’t. I’ve been avoiding this life for years.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
She met my eyes, her voice calm. “Same reason you didn’t tell me you wanted a fake marriage to spite your parents. I have my own reasons, Alex.”
“So you knew this was fake all along?”
She smirked. “I figured it out pretty quickly. But it worked for me, too. My parents kept pushing me to marry for status. I wanted my own life. When you came along, I saw an opportunity.”
I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling. “Let me get this straight. We both tried to outsmart our families, and instead, we ended up… here?”
“Looks like it,” she said, tilting her head. “Guess we’re more alike than we thought.”
I stared at her, really seeing her for the first time. She wasn’t just some “country girl” meant to annoy my parents. She was strong, independent, and far smarter than I had given her credit for.
One night, as we reviewed charity event plans, I found myself watching her. She looked up. “What?”
“I just… didn’t realize how strong you were,” I admitted. “You’ve handled all this with so much grace. More than I ever could.”
She smiled—real, soft. “I’m not doing this for them, Alex. I’m doing it for me.”
And in that moment, I knew. This wasn’t just a game anymore.
“Mary,” I said slowly, “maybe it’s time we told them the truth.”
She nodded, understanding exactly what I meant. We weren’t playing anymore. And honestly? We didn’t need to.
