When my parents told me I had to marry to inherit the family business, I decided to rebel. I wasn’t looking for love — just a way to get under their skin. That’s when I met Mary at a charity event. She was modest, quiet, and seemed worlds away from my family’s wealthy social circle. Perfect for my plan. I proposed a “no-questions” marriage arrangement, and to my surprise, she agreed.
Mary played the part flawlessly. My parents were visibly uncomfortable whenever she spoke with quiet humility instead of flaunting status. But at a high-profile charity ball, everything changed. The mayor greeted Mary warmly, praising her family’s major donations to a children’s hospital. Soon after, an old acquaintance revealed that Mary was actually the daughter of one of the most prominent philanthropists in the state — the so-called “Charity Princess.”
When I confronted her, Mary admitted she had her own reasons for agreeing to our arrangement. She had been avoiding her family’s expectations to marry for status, just as I was rebelling against mine. My “country girl” wasn’t naïve at all — she was strong, independent, and determined to live life on her own terms. I realized my plan had been childish, and that I genuinely respected her.
Over time, my feelings shifted. What began as a stunt became something real. We eventually decided to tell our parents the truth — not as part of a scheme, but as a united choice. Sitting beside Mary, I no longer cared about the inheritance or my parents’ approval. I’d started out trying to win a game, but in the end, I’d found a partner.