I got straight to the point. “I’m looking for someone to marry. It’s not about love—it’s complicated. What do you think?”
Mary studied me for a moment before laughing. “Funny, I could use a marriage too. One condition: no questions about my past.”
“Deal,” I said, grinning.
Introducing Mary to my parents was everything I hoped for. Her modesty and simplicity clashed perfectly with their expectations. My mother’s polite smile was tight, my father’s frown deepened. Mary played her part flawlessly, giving just enough to irritate them.
At a grand charity ball, the cracks appeared. The mayor recognized Mary instantly, praising her family’s work on a children’s hospital. My parents were stunned.
Later, I confronted her. “Your family built a hospital?”
“Yes,” she admitted. “My family runs one of the largest charity foundations in the state. I didn’t tell you because I wanted to escape all that. Your fake marriage idea was perfect—I thought you didn’t care who I was.”
“You knew this was fake?”
“Of course,” she said with a sly smile. “You’re not subtle, Alex.”
I stared at her, realizing she wasn’t just a pawn in my scheme. She was smart, independent, and navigating her own path—just like me.
That night, on a quiet balcony, I turned to her. “Mary, maybe it’s time to stop pretending.”
She smiled genuinely for the first time. “You might be right.”
The next day, we told my parents the truth. They were shocked, but for the first time, I didn’t care. Mary wasn’t what they wanted, but she was exactly who I needed.
What began as a game to defy my parents became something real. In the end, it wasn’t about winning or losing—it was about finding each other.