Honestly, I never intended to fall in love. Honestly, when it all started, love was the furthest thing from my thoughts. I just wanted to make a statement, to get back at my parents who believed they could dictate every part of my life.

My family is quite affluent—very much so. We’re discussing country club memberships, luxury cars, and a house so enormous it seemed like a hotel to my childhood friends. I was raised with every advantage and always thought that eventually, I would take over my father’s business. He had created it from scratch, and everyone recognized that I was the obvious successor. Sure, I wasn’t exactly the most disciplined person out there, and yeah, I might have embraced life a little too much for my parents’ liking. Spontaneous parties and vacations that began without a plan and led to unexpected adventures, embodying that carefree lifestyle that only feels possible when you have a reliable financial cushion to fall back on.

One evening, during a beautifully catered family dinner, my parents surprised us with some shocking news. My father leaned in, resting his elbows on the clean linen tablecloth, and said with a casual tone, as if he were talking about a new investment, “Alex, your mother and I have decided it’s time you settle down.”

I lifted an eyebrow, feeling a bit confused. “Settle down?” I said it again.

My mother nodded, her diamond earrings sparkling as they caught the light from the chandelier. “Absolutely, my dear.” Calm down. Getting married, having kids, and everything that comes with it. Your father is prepared to take a step back from the business, but before we can entrust it to you, we need to witness your dedication to something more substantial than just your next party.

I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach. I inhaled deeply, working to keep my face calm and composed. I really should have anticipated this. They had always disapproved of my laid-back attitude toward life. Now they expected me to get married—transform into a respectable businessman with a respectable family to ease the minds of board members and investors. Basically, they wanted to control my personal life before giving me access to everything.

I felt trapped, and that’s when my more spiteful side came out. If that’s what they wanted, then sure—I would give them a marriage. But not the kind they were wishing for. If they were adamant about me bringing someone into the family, I’d choose a partner who would make them rethink everything they had in mind. I would pick someone who, according to their own criteria, wouldn’t quite belong.

I stumbled upon her at a little charity event I decided to go to just to pass the time. Amidst the hustle of networking and the display of stylish outfits, there stood Mary—calmly positioned at a folding table, assisting with the distribution of brochures. She had on a plain cotton dress and some flat shoes. She wore her hair in a practical ponytail, keeping it out of her face. She appeared delightfully unfazed by the opulence and splendor surrounding her.

“Hey there,” I said, walking over with a grin. “Hi, I’m Alex.”

She glanced up at me, took me in with a quick look, and gave a nod. “Mary,” she replied. Simply Mary, without a last name or any fuss.

I talked with her for a bit and found out she came from a small town—not a trust-fund kid, not some high-society type. She was courteous, yet seemed indifferent to me and the life I led. That’s just perfect, I thought. Exactly what I needed to leave my parents speechless.

“Mary,” I said, getting straight to the point, “I realize this might sound a bit wild, but I’m on the lookout for someone to marry.”

Her eyebrows raised in surprise. “Pardon me?”

I shrugged, doing my best to keep a relaxed sense of confidence. “Well, it’s quite a tale.” My parents expect me to settle down before they’ll allow me to take over the family business. I’m on the lookout for a partner who can lend me a hand. Perhaps we can come up with a solution that works well for both of us. <text”I understand this might be a bit out of the ordinary, but… are you interested?”

She let out a soft laugh, catching me off guard. “That’s a really interesting proposal, Alex.” You really don’t know anything about me.

She made a valid argument, yet I continued to push forward. “That’s fair, but I’d like to try things out first—let’s get to know each other in a certain way.” Let’s approach this as if it’s a business transaction. <text”I’ll lend you a hand, and in return, just let me know if there’s anything you need.”

Mary looked at me with eyes that gave away nothing. Then she replied, “Fine.” However, I do have one request: please don’t ask me about my past. I’m just a regular girl from a little town, you know?

Her request seemed a bit strange to me, but I was so excited about my plan finally coming together that I didn’t dwell on it. “Deal,” I replied with a smile. This was going to be just right.

Introducing Mary to my parents was a truly wonderful day. I had a confident smirk on my face, picturing how they would react. My mother, always impeccably dressed and composed, attempted to smile graciously at Mary’s simple outfit. As my father watched Mary’s unpretentious ways and modest upbringing, his frown deepened, carving more lines into his face. I could almost hear their thoughts: “Is this really who he’s chosen?” “She doesn’t belong to our world at all!”

That’s precisely what I was looking for.

For a couple of weeks, everything went according to plan. Mary attended a couple of family dinners, and each time, my parents seemed even more confused. They would ask her about her hobbies, her upbringing, and attempt to uncover details about her family background, but she kept her responses politely ambiguous. After one of those dinners, I noticed Mary casting me a glance that felt almost playful.

“Are you enjoying this?” she asked softly, arching an eyebrow.

I just shrugged. “Seeing them wriggle?” A little. You’re doing an amazing job.

Mary nodded and said, “Just keep in mind, you wanted this.” There was something in her voice that I couldn’t quite understand, but I chose to ignore it. I was so caught up in shaking my parents’ expectations.

We were in for a real surprise at a fancy charity ball that my parents made sure we went to. The event had an air of elegance, with politicians, business tycoons, and established families socializing beneath the glow of sparkling chandeliers. Mary joined me, donning yet another simple dress that caught the eye amidst a crowd of extravagant designer gowns. Absolutely perfect. Let my parents justify the new fiancée who wasn’t interested in high fashion.

As we moved through the crowd, I couldn’t help but enjoy my parents’ barely concealed shock, while Mary effortlessly played the part of the humble fiancé. But then, the mayor noticed us. I didn’t know the mayor on a personal level, but he headed straight for Mary, a big smile on his face.

“Mary, it’s so great to see you!” he said, shaking her hand with excitement. “The donation your family made to the children’s hospital was truly remarkable.” How’s everything going at home?

My parents and I looked at each other in disbelief. Mary just nodded, a friendly smile fixed on her face. “Everything’s fine, Mr. Mayor,” she replied. “It’s wonderful to see how the hospital project is making a difference for so many children.”

The mayor zoned out, leaving us confused. It was my mother who discovered her voice first. “Alex,” she whispered sharply, “did he really just say that Mary’s family donated to a children’s hospital?”

Just as I was about to respond, an old family friend walked over, clearly taken aback to find Mary with me. “Mary!” he shouted. “It’s been ages since you moved away from the city.” People were curious about the whereabouts of the Charity Princess!

Princess of Charity? The name sounded familiar. I had come across whispers about a secretive family heir who supported numerous charitable causes, a person respected for their kindness and subtlety. If that was Mary, then she certainly wasn’t just a plain “country girl.”

After we managed to slip away from the crowd, I found Mary by the dessert table. “Could you clarify that for me?” I asked, my arms crossed, doing my best to keep my voice steady even though a whirlwind of confusion churned in my stomach.

She let out a sigh, looking around as if she were picking her words with great care. “My family is quite recognized in charity circles,” she confessed softly. “They have a lot of money, and I grew up being a part of their social and charitable world.” But I grew weary of it—wearied by the constant directives on whom to marry, how to act, and which causes to support.

I looked at her in disbelief. “So, you’re kind of like a socialite who decided to leave home?”

“Something like that,” Mary replied with a slight shrug. “I’ve been embracing a more uncomplicated lifestyle, stepping back from the limelight.” Your unusual proposal caught my attention, and I saw it as a perfect opportunity to stay under the radar of my overbearing parents. <text”I thought we might be able to support one another.”

It hit me then that Mary had been aware of my plan from the very beginning. She knew I was trying to get back at my parents, and she had played her part flawlessly. The twist was that she had her own game going—acting like a simple outsider while hiding a powerful background that overshadowed even my own.

“You must think I’m a fool,” I murmured, still trying to wrap my head around the revelation. “I was trying to surprise my parents with someone I thought they’d consider ‘unworthy,’ but it turns out you’re far more accomplished than any of the heiresses they would have chosen for me.”

Mary gave a slight smile. “I don’t believe you’re foolish, Alex.” I believe you and I share more similarities than we might realize. Neither of us wanted to be controlled. You were thinking about sending a message to your parents. I longed for a way out of the high society cage that had surrounded me since childhood.

I let out a slow breath. “What’s next?”

“It depends,” she replied, locking her gaze with mine. “We can continue pretending, or we can choose to be truthful.” Perhaps we can discover something genuine here, something beyond mere revenge or a way to run away.

As I watched Mary, standing there in her plain dress—an outfit meant to mislead, yet paradoxically showcasing her genuine strength—I felt a shift within myself. Her courage and wit truly impressed me. The scheme I had come up with out of spite now seemed immature. I was searching for something genuine, something deeper than just a facade.

I held her hand. “I think we should be honest with our families,” I proposed. “Let them know that we both chose not to be pawns in their games.” If we’re going to create a life together, let’s make sure it’s on our own terms, without any more secrets.

Mary nodded, and for the first time that night, a genuine, warm smile spread across her face. “Okay, Alex,” she said with a nod. “No more hiding things.”

The following morning, we brought our parents into the drawing room—mine still reeling from the revelations of the ball, while hers were called over with a few quiet phone calls. It was time to clarify things once and for all. It’s our turn to take charge and prove that our futures are ours to shape, not dictated by our families.

I found myself uncertain about what would happen next—perhaps anger, disbelief, or even a standoff—but I realized I no longer feared the outcome. With Mary by my side, I had a partner who truly grasped the essence of breaking free from expectations. As a team, we were unstoppable, prepared to reshape our narrative from the very beginning.