Life can sometimes throw you curveballs, and as it turns out, my family had a curveball of their own for me. While I had grown up in a world of privilege with fast cars, exotic vacations, and exclusive parties, there was one thing my parents deemed non-negotiable: marriage. They saw it as a cornerstone of our family legacy, especially since I was expected to take over my father’s business.

Their proposal, or more accurately their demand, came during a family dinner. My father, ever the businessman, leaned in like he was closing a deal. “Alex,” he said, “we believe it’s time for you to settle down.”

“Settle down?” I echoed, bemused. “You mean get married?”

“Precisely,” he confirmed. “You’re almost thirty. To run the business, you need to show responsibility—start a family, establish stability.”

My mother added with that all-too-familiar disappointed glance, “After all your father’s hard work, we can’t entrust our business to someone living like every day is a new adventure.”

I masked my irritation with a composed demeanor. Their traditional outlook was pushing me into a corner, expecting a marriage that I was nowhere near ready for. If they wanted me to wed, I decided I would choose someone they least expected.

Enter Mary.

I encountered her at a low-key charity event. She wasn’t like the women from my usual circles—no designer brands or pretentious airs. She was volunteering, her smile genuine, her presence unassuming. Intriguingly refreshing.

“Pleased to meet you, Alex,” she said when I introduced myself, hardly giving me a second glance.

She wasn’t fazed by my status. Perfect.

“So, Mary,” I quipped nonchalantly, “what do you think about marriage?”

Her brow lifted slightly in amusement. “Pardon?”

“It might sound odd, but I need a wife. There are a couple of formalities, but I think you’d be ideal.”

Her laughter surprised me. “What a coincidence,” she replied, her eyes twinkling. “I could use a little ‘marriage’ myself.”

With one condition from her side—no questions about her past—I had all I required. Her mere presence was enough to distress my parents.

Upon meeting my family, Mary’s understated appearance contrasted sharply with the elegance expected by my parents.

“Oh… Mary, is it?” my mother said, struggling to maintain her cordiality.

My father’s typical stoic demeanor cracked slightly. “Alex, this isn’t what we envisioned.”

With a devilish grin, I declared, “Mary is exactly who I need. She’s grounded, genuine, and indifferent to affluence.”

As my parents grappled with the situation, Mary playfully adapted to the role, subtly mocking their expectations, her eyes occasionally revealing an intriguing glint of self-assuredness.

“Are you sure this is your desired path, Alex?” she pondered one evening.

“Absolutely,” I chuckled. “They’re beside themselves.”

She maintained her gaze, a soft smile on her lips. “Glad I could help.”

Her composed confidence lingered at the back of my mind until the charity ball.

The banquet hall was breathtaking—crystal chandeliers and gilded decor set among the city’s elite. Mary arrived as expected, gracefully understated amidst the opulence.

The evening was proceeding as planned until the unexpected happened.

The mayor approached, visibly thrilled. “Mary! Such a pleasure having you!” he exclaimed, shaking her hand vigorously.

My parents looked like they’d seen ghosts. My stomach churned.

Mary remained composed. “A pleasure, Mr. Mayor.”

“Your philanthropic efforts have been game-changing. Everyone’s still talking about your hospital projects,” he praised, a twinkle of respect in his eyes.

My mother’s shock was tangible, my father’s grip on his wine glass tightened. I felt lost in a play I didn’t fully understand.

Just when I thought things couldn’t get more surreal, Jack, an old acquaintance, sauntered over. His grin was insufferable. “Mary! Long time no see. Didn’t realize you were in town again.”

“Oh, just for the wedding,” Mary replied with ease.

Jack turned to me, half-amused, half-curious. “Alex, you do know you’re marrying Mary the Charity Princess, right?”

It hit me like a tidal wave. The Mary everyone whispered about—the affluent, altruistic Mary—was standing right next to me.

Her revelation unfolded as I hastily steered her away from prying eyes. “So… Charity Princess?” I questioned, my arms crossed in disbelief.

With a deep breath, she confessed, “Yes. My family possesses significant wealth and philanthropic influence. I’ve distanced myself for independence.”

“So why not tell me before?”

She met my eyes candidly. “The same reason you withheld your true purpose for marriage. We both wanted to escape the constraints our families imposed.”

“You knew?” I inquired, my tone sharper than intended.

Her smile was coy. “Of course. You didn’t exactly conceal your intentions well, Alex.”

I took a moment to absorb this turn of events. “So you agreed to this arrangement as a reprieve from your own family’s expectations, just like I sought from mine?”

“Seems we’re more alike than we believed,” she said, a wry smile playing on her lips.

Seeing Mary now, not as the unwitting outsider meant to defy my parents but as a kindred spirit, I found myself intrigued by her quiet strength.

Respect for her sprouted where mere intrigue had been.

In a surprising twist, this elaborate charade had morphed into something real.

As we rested in a secluded corner, away from the evening’s grandeur, I observed her, grappling with an earnest sentiment that was both new and comforting.

“Mary,” I said softly, “maybe it’s time we’re honest with everyone.”

Her gaze met mine, understanding precisely what was meant.

This was no longer a mere game.

And increasingly, I realized, I didn’t want it to be.