I’ll be honest with you—I didn’t exactly start this story with honor in mind. Love? Commitment? No. At the beginning, all I wanted was revenge. Revenge on my parents for trying to control my life.
You see, I grew up in wealth. Luxury cars, endless parties, vacations in private resorts—if I wanted it, I had it. I always assumed that one day, I’d inherit my father’s empire and keep living life my way.
But then came “the talk.”
It was after dinner one evening, my father’s serious face across the table. He leaned forward like he was about to sign a million-dollar deal.
“Listen, Alex,” he said firmly. “Your mother and I feel it’s time you settle down.”
I laughed, leaning back in my chair with a smirk. “Settle down? You mean get married?”
“Precisely,” he replied without hesitation. “You’re nearly thirty. If you want the company, we need proof of your commitment. That means a wife, a family. You can’t run a business like this alone.”
My mother gave me a cold, sharp look. “Your father worked his whole life to build this. We won’t hand it to someone who treats life like a never-ending party.”
My blood boiled. So this was their condition? Marriage as the price for my future? Fine. If they wanted a wife, I’d give them one—but not the kind they dreamed of. No glamorous heiress, no polished socialite. I’d pick someone they’d never approve of. Someone who would make them regret forcing me into this corner.
And then I met Mary.
It was at a small charity event—nothing fancy, just quiet tables and volunteers serving food. Mary was there, her hair pulled back, wearing a plain dress. No glitter, no designer handbag. Just… simple. Real.
I introduced myself, waiting for the usual awe people gave when they realized who I was. But she only nodded and said, “Nice to meet you, Alex,” barely looking at me.
That caught me off guard.
“So, uh, where are you from, Mary?” I asked.
“Oh, just a small town,” she said politely. “Nothing special.”
Perfect.
And then, in my usual reckless fashion, I dropped the bomb. “So… how do you feel about marriage?”
Her eyebrows shot up. “Excuse me?”
I leaned in with my practiced smile. “I know it sounds strange. But I’m looking for someone to marry. I… have my reasons. You’d have to pass a few ‘tests,’ but that’s the idea.”
For a moment she just stared at me. Then, unexpectedly, she laughed. Her eyes sparkled in a way I didn’t understand. “Isn’t that funny?” she said lightly. “I was just thinking I could use a little marriage myself.”
I blinked. “Really? So… is it a deal?”
She tilted her head, considering. “Alright, Alex. But you have to promise me something.”
“What’s that?”
“No questions about my past. Just keep it simple: I’m a small-town girl, and that’s all your family needs to know.”
I grinned. Jackpot. “Perfect.”
Introducing her to my parents was everything I dreamed of. My mother’s polite smile was tighter than a wire when she said, “Oh… Mary, is it?”
My father’s frown deepened. “Alex, this isn’t exactly what we had in mind.”
“Well, you wanted me to settle down,” I said, enjoying every second. “Mary’s perfect for me. She doesn’t care about money or status. She’s humble.”
Mary played the part perfectly. Quiet, polite, uncertain when my parents brought up business talk. I could almost see the frustration on their faces.
But sometimes, when no one else was looking, I’d catch something in Mary’s eyes. Something amused. Something secret.
One night, after dinner with my parents, she asked softly, “Are you sure this is what you want, Alex?”
“More than ever,” I laughed. “They’re horrified. This is working.”
She gave a small smile. “Glad I could help.”
The big moment came at the annual charity ball. Chandeliers glittered overhead, tables dressed in silk, and everyone dressed to impress. Mary, in her usual simple gown, looked out of place—which was exactly what I wanted.
“Tonight’s the final test,” I whispered to her as we entered.
Her eyes flickered toward me. “I know the drill.”
For most of the evening, she kept her head down, smiling politely and blending into the crowd. My parents looked tense but hopeful that she’d fade into the background.
And then—disaster.
The mayor himself walked over, grinning like he’d just seen an old friend. “Mary! Delighted to see you here!”
My parents froze. My jaw dropped.
Mary forced a polite smile. “Good to see you too, Mayor.”
“Everyone’s still talking about the children’s hospital project you funded,” the mayor went on. “Your family’s contributions are changing lives.”
I almost choked. Contributions? Funded? What was he talking about?
Mary nodded lightly. “I’m glad to hear that. We just wanted to help where we could.”
The mayor left, but the damage was done. My parents looked at her like she’d just sprouted wings.
And then came Jack, one of my family’s oldest friends. His eyes nearly popped out when he saw her. “Mary? I didn’t know you were back in town!”
She gave a small laugh. “I came back for my… wedding.”
Jack turned to me, half-amused, half-shocked. “Alex! You’re marrying Mary the Charity Princess? Her family runs one of the biggest philanthropies in the state!”
I felt my throat go dry. The Charity Princess. Of course I’d heard of her. Everyone had. But I’d never cared enough to meet her.
As soon as we escaped, I cornered her. “So… Charity Princess?”
She sighed, glancing away. “Yes. My family runs the biggest charity fund around. I’ve been avoiding all this for years.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I demanded.
“Because,” she said calmly, “it’s the same reason you didn’t tell me this was all fake. I have my own reasons, Alex.”
“You knew?” My voice cracked.
“Of course I knew. You weren’t exactly subtle.” She folded her arms. “My parents wanted me to marry for status. I hated it. When you came along, I saw a way out. You got your plan, and I got mine.”
I stared at her. All this time, I thought I’d been in control, pulling the strings. But Mary… Mary had been just as cunning.
“So,” I said slowly, “we’re both rebelling against our parents. Just in different ways.”
Mary gave a small nod. “Looks like we have more in common than you thought.”
From that night on, everything changed. I started noticing her strength, her quiet intelligence. She wasn’t just “the girl to annoy my parents.” She was independent, clever, and determined to live life on her own terms.
One evening, I caught myself staring at her as she reviewed some charity documents my mother insisted we attend. She looked up. “What?”
I hesitated, then admitted, “I didn’t realize how strong you were. You’re… incredible, Mary.”
Her lips curved into the softest smile I’d seen. “I’m not doing it for them, Alex. I’m doing it for me.”
And that was the moment I realized—I wasn’t playing a game anymore. I wanted her. For real.
“Mary,” I said quietly, “maybe it’s time we told them the truth.”
She met my eyes, and without hesitation, nodded. “I think so too.”
The next day, we sat our parents down together. For once, I wasn’t nervous about their reaction. I wasn’t thinking about the inheritance or the company.
For the first time in my life, I was ready to be honest—because I had Mary by my side.
And this time, it wasn’t a game. It was real.