My parents insisted I marry to preserve the family business, so I picked a girl straight off the farm just to defy them.

I won’t deny it—I didn’t begin this journey with pure motives. I wasn’t looking for love or fulfillment. I was simply determined to defy my parents.

Having grown up surrounded by affluence and privilege, I lived life my way—speeding through in fast cars, reveling at wild parties, and indulging in lavish vacations. As the sole heir to my father’s vast business empire, I believed the future was firmly in my grasp.

Then came "the conversation."

“Alex,” my father began in his authoritative boardroom tone, “it’s time for you to settle down.”

I leaned back in my chair, a smirk tugging at my lips. “Settle down? Are you suggesting I get married?”

“Yes,” he confirmed, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. “The family business cannot be left to someone who lives without discipline. A wife and family will demonstrate your maturity.”

My mother, ever composed, nodded in agreement. Her disapproval of my lifestyle was unmistakable. “You’re approaching 30, Alex. If you can’t show responsibility, we’ll have to find someone else.”

Anger boiled within me. If they wanted a perfect son with a perfect spouse, I’d give them a wife—but not the one they envisioned.

That’s when I met Mary.

I encountered her at a charity gala, a setting far removed from my usual stomping grounds. She stood quietly in a simple dress, exuding a serenity that felt almost out of place. She wasn’t flashy, but there was an undeniable allure about her.

“Hi, I’m Alex,” I said, projecting my usual air of confidence.

“Pleasure to meet you,” she responded politely, barely sparing me a glance.

She wasn’t impressed. Perfect.

I wasted no time getting to the point. “I need someone to marry. It’s not about romance—it’s complicated. What do you think?”

Mary scrutinized me for a moment before laughing softly. “Interesting. I could use a marriage too. One condition: no questions about my past.”

“Deal,” I said, grinning at her audacity.

Introducing Mary to my parents was everything I had envisioned. Her understated presence and unpretentious demeanor clashed deliciously with their lofty expectations. My mother’s tight-lipped smile betrayed her unease, while my father’s deepening frown signaled his displeasure. Mary, meanwhile, played her role with flawless precision, offering just enough civility to unnerve them.

The cracks began to show at an extravagant charity ball. The mayor recognized Mary instantly, commending her family’s contributions to a children’s hospital. My parents were visibly taken aback.

Later, I confronted her. “Your family built a hospital?”

“Yes,” she admitted calmly. “My family manages one of the largest charitable foundations in the state. I didn’t mention it because I was trying to distance myself from all that. Your fake marriage plan was ideal—I assumed you didn’t care who I really was.”

“You knew this was fake?”

“Obviously,” she replied with a sly grin. “You’re not exactly subtle, Alex.”

I stared at her, the realization sinking in that she was no mere pawn in my scheme. She was intelligent, self-reliant, and charting her own course—just like me.

That night, as we stood on a quiet balcony, I turned to her. “Mary, maybe it’s time we stop pretending.”

For the first time, her smile reached her eyes. “You might be onto something.”

The next day, we came clean to my parents. They were stunned, but for the first time, I found that I didn’t care. Mary wasn’t the woman they envisioned for me, but she was exactly who I needed.

What started as a rebellious charade turned into something genuine. Ultimately, it wasn’t about outsmarting my parents—it was about finding each other.