I never meant to fall in love, to be honest. To be honest, I had no intention of falling in love when it all began. My intention was to express my frustration and retaliate against my parents for their perceived control over every aspect of my life.
My family is exceedingly rich, very much so. We are discussing country club memberships, luxury automobiles, and a residence so expansive that my friends believed it to be a hotel. I grew up with every privilege and always assumed that one day I would run my father’s firm. Everyone understood that I was the obvious choice to take over, given that my father had built the firm from the very beginning. Yes, I wasn’t the most disciplined person in the world, and yes, I might have enjoyed life perhaps too much for my parents’ taste. Unplanned parties and holidays often led to unexpected experiences, reflecting the carefree lifestyle that comes with having a stable financial cushion to rely on.
My parents shocked us one night during a beautifully cooked family meal. My dad leaned in, put his elbows on the immaculate linen tablecloth, and stated in a relaxed way, like he was talking about a new investment, “Alex, your mother and I have decided it’s time for you to settle down.”
I raised an eyebrow since I was a little bewildered. “Calm down?” I said it again.
My mom nodded, and the light from the chandelier made her diamond earrings shine. “Of course, my dear.” Calm down. Getting married, having kids, and all that goes with that. Your father is ready to step aside from the business, but before we can give it to you, we need to see that you are committed to something more important than just your next party.
I felt like my stomach was sinking. I took a deep breath and tried to keep my face cool and still. I should have seen the move coming. They had always thought it was wrong for me to be so relaxed about life. Now they wanted me to obtain married and become a respectable businessman with a respectable family to make board members and investors feel better. In short, they intended to control my life before letting me see everything.
I felt stuck, and that’s when my meaner side came out. If that’s what they wanted, then yes, I’d marry them. But not the type they wanted. If they were dead set on me bringing someone into the family, I would pick a partner who would make them question everything they had planned. I would choose someone who, based on their standards, wouldn’t quite fit in.
I ran into her at a little charity event that I went to merely to kill time. Amidst the busy networking and the display of fashionable clothes, Mary stood still at a folding table, helping to hand out brochures. She wore a simple cotton dress and some flat shoes. She put her hair in a ponytail so that it wouldn’t get in her way. She seemed completely undisturbed by the luxury and beauty around her.
“Hey there,” I remarked with a smile as I walked over. “Hey, I’m Alex.”
She looked up at me, took me in with a swift look, and nodded. “Mary,” she said. Just Mary, with no last name or any trouble.
I talked to her for a while and learned that she wasn’t a trust-fund kid or a high-society type; she was from a little town. She was polite, but she didn’t appear to care about me or the life I lived. I thought that was absolutely right. It was just what I needed to shock my folks.
I said to Mary, “I know this might sound a little crazy, but I’m looking for someone to marry.”
She lifted her eyebrows in amazement. “Excuse me?”
I shrugged and tried to stay calm and confident. “Well, it’s quite a story.” My parents want me to settle down before they let me run the family firm. I’m looking for a buddy who can help me out. Maybe we can find a way to solve this that works for both of us. “Hey, I know this might be a little strange, but are you interested?””
She laughed softly, which surprised me. “That’s a really interesting idea, Alex.” You don’t actually know anything about me.
She made a good point, but I kept going. “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 treat the arrangement like a business deal. “I’ll help you out, and all I ask is that you let me know if you need anything.”
Mary’s eyes didn’t give anything away. Then she said, “Fine.” But I do have one request: don’t ask me about my history. You know, I’m just a normal girl from a small town.
I thought her request was a little unusual, but I was too pleased about my idea finally coming together to think about it. “Deal,” I said with a smile. The arrangement was supposed to be perfect.
It was a wonderful day to introduce Mary to my parents. I smiled with confidence as I thought about how they would react. My mother, who was always well-dressed and calm, tried to smile politely at Mary’s plain attire. My father frowned even more as he saw Mary act like she was better than everyone else and come from a humble background. I could almost hear them say, “Is his choice really who he picked?” “She doesn’t fit in with our world at all!”
That’s just what I needed.
Everything proceeded as planned for a few weeks. My folks seemed even more bewildered after Mary came to a few family dinners. They would ask her about her interests and her childhood and try to find out more about her family, but she always gave vague answers that were polite. After one of those dinners, I saw Mary give me a look that seemed almost playful.
“Are you having fun?” She asked softly, raising her eyebrow.
I just shrugged. “Seeing them move?” A little. “You’re doing an impressive job.
Mary nodded and continued, “Just remember, you wanted this.” There was something in her voice that I couldn’t quite understand, but I chose to dismiss it. I was so busy shaking off what my folks expected of me.
My parents made sure we went to a swanky charity gala, and we were in for a giant surprise. Politicians, corporate tycoons, and well-known families mingled under the light of shimmering chandeliers at the event, which had an air of luxury. Mary joined me, wearing another modest outfit that stood out among the many fancy designer gowns. Perfect in every way. Let my parents explain why the new fiancée wasn’t into high fashion.
As we walked through the gathering, I couldn’t help but appreciate how shocked my parents were, even though Mary played the part of the modest fiancée with ease. The mayor saw us, though. I didn’t know the mayor personally, but he went right up to Mary with a big smile on his face.
“Mary, I’m so happy to see you!” “Yes,” he responded, shaking her hand with excitement. “The gift your family gave to the children’s hospital was truly wonderful.” How is everything at home?
My dad and I couldn’t believe what we saw. Mary just nodded and smiled back at him. “Everything’s fine, Mr. Mayor,” she said. “It’s great to see how the hospital project is helping so many kids.”
The mayor zoned out, which made us all bewildered. My mom was the first to find her voice. “Alex,” she said in a tight whisper, “did he actually say that Mary’s family gave money to a children’s hospital?””
An old family acquaintance came over just as I was about to say something. They were plainly surprised to see Mary beside me. “Mary!” He yelled, “”It’s been a long time since you left the city.” People wanted to know where the Charity Princess was!
The Princess of Charity? The name rang a bell. I had heard rumors about a clandestine family heir who gave money to several charities and was known for being polite and discreet. If that was Mary, she wasn’t just a “country girl.”
I located Mary by the dessert table when we were able to get away from the crowd. “Please explain that to me.” I asked, crossing my arms and trying to keep my voice steady even though my gut was in a whirl of confusion.
She sighed and looked about as if she were carefully choosing her words. She said quietly, “My family is well-known in charity circles.” “I grew up in their social and charitable world, and they had a lot of money.” But I got tired of it—tired of being told who to marry, how to act, and which organizations to support.
I couldn’t believe what I saw. “So, you’re like a socialite who chose to leave home?””
“Something like that,” Mary said with a small shrug. “I’ve been living a simpler life and stepping back from the spotlight.” Your strange suggestion drew my attention, and I saw it as a wonderful way to get out of my oppressive parents’ sight. “I thought we could help each other,” the text said.
At that moment, I realized that Mary had known about my strategy from the start. She knew I was attempting to get back at my parents, and she did everything perfectly. The catch was that she was playing her game, seeming to be a simple outsider while hiding a powerful past that was even more powerful than mine.
I whispered, “You must think I’m a fool,” still attempting to understand what I had just learned. “I was trying to surprise my parents with someone they would think was “unworthy,” but it turns out you’re much more accomplished than any of the heiresses they would have picked for me.”
Mary smiled a little. “I don’t think you’re stupid, Alex.” I think we have more in common than we realize. We both didn’t want to be in charge. You were considering texting your folks. I wanted to get out of the high society cage that had been around me since I was a child.
I took a slow breath. “What’s next?”
“It depends,” she said, looking me in the eye. “We can keep pretending, or we can choose to be honest.” Maybe we can find something real here, something more than just revenge or a chance to escape.
I felt something change inside me as I watched Mary stand there in her plain dress. It was supposed to trick people, but it also showed her true strength. I was really astonished by how brave and smart she was. The plan I had come up with out of anger now appeared childish. I was looking for something real, something more than simply a front.
I took her hand. “I think we should be honest with our families,” I said. “Let them know that we both chose not to be pawns in their games.” If we’re going to build a life together, let’s do it on our terms, with no more secrets.
Mary nodded, and for the first time that night, her grin was real and warm. “Okay, Alex,” she answered with a nod. “No more hiding things.”
The next morning, we invited our parents into the drawing room. The events at the ball still shocked my parents, while a few quiet phone calls drew their attention. It was time to make things clear once and for all. It’s time for us to take initiative and show that we can design our own destinies, not let our relatives tell us what to do.
I wasn’t sure what would happen next—maybe rage, disbelief, or even a standoff—but I knew I wasn’t afraid of the conclusion anymore. Mary was my companion, and she really understood what it meant to break free from expectations. We were unstoppable as a team and ready to start over with our story from the very beginning.
The story is about Alex, a very rich man who is determined to demonstrate to his parents they were mistaken and get back at them. His family is wealthy and owns a big house, beautiful automobiles, and country club memberships. Alex’s parents didn’t trust him with the job of running his father’s business unless he settled down first. Alex’s parents wanted him to settle down and start a family with a thriving firm that would impress board members and investors.
Alex meets Mary, a simple girl from a small village, at a charity event. Despite her polite demeanor, the luxury and beauty surrounding her seem to elude her. Mary agrees to give marriage a try before accepting Alex’s proposal. Mary could offer to help them in exchange for a business deal. Mary only has one rule: no one can ask her about her past. Alex is so happy that the idea is coming together that they scarcely think about it at all.
When Alex brings Mary home to meet his parents, they are confused by how down-to-earth and humble she is. They think this is the one he chose, especially because she comes from a whole different culture! This is exactly what Alex wants. For a few weeks, everything goes as planned. Mary goes to family dinners, which makes her parents even more bewildered. They ask her many questions about her family, her interests, and her childhood, but she is courteous and doesn’t give them any clear answers. Mary asks Alex if he likes the dinner after one of them, but he merely shrugs.
Mary nodded and said, “Just remember that the meal was your choice.” There was something in her voice that I couldn’t quite understand, but I chose to dismiss it. Alex was too focused on proving his point and going against what his parents wanted.
The main point of the novel is Alex’s desire to prove his parents wrong and get back at them. He has to choose a companion who will go against what his parents want and make them rethink their whole plan. Mary, a normal girl from a small town, is chosen as a suitable companion. The story focuses on the problems people face when they want to change their lives and make a difference.
The author’s parents made sure they attended a posh charity dance, and to their astonishment, they saw Mary, who was playing the part of a humble fiancée. The mayor saw them and told them about Mary and her family’s recent gift to a children’s hospital. The mayor and his family were surprised to see each other, but Mary just nodded and said everything was fine. She also mentioned that the hospital project is helping many kids.
An old acquaintance of the family saw Mary and urged her to tell him how she planned to get revenge on his parents. She admitted that she was raised to fit into their social and charitable world, but she was tired of being told who to marry, how to act, and which organizations to support. The author couldn’t believe it when he found out that Mary had known about his scheme from the start and had done her part perfectly.
Mary said that she and Alex weren’t really different; they both wanted to send their parents a message and get away from the high society milieu they had grown up in. They had to pick between staying in the act or being honest to discover something real. They felt something change inside of them as they looked at Mary in her simple clothing. They admired her boldness and intelligence and realized that the plan they had come up with out of anger now sounded childish.
The next morning, they summoned their parents into the drawing room to explain matters and show that they were responsible for their own lives, not their families’. The author felt braver about the outcome now that Mary was with him. She was a companion who really got what it was like to break free from expectations. Together, they made a strong alliance and were ready to change their story from the start.
In short, the author’s parents were shocked to hear that Mary’s family had recently given money to a children’s hospital, but they were determined to find something real and honest with Mary. They decided to tell their families the truth and build a life together that was true to their ideals, leaving secrets behind. This decision changed everything about their relationship and started a new chapter in their lives.