My Parents Demanded That I Get Married to Keep the Family Business, So I Chose a Fresh off the Farm Girl to Spite Them

I’ll confess—I didn’t begin this journey with noble motives. Love and happiness weren’t on my agenda. My goal was simple: to go against my parents’ wishes.

Growing up surrounded by wealth and privilege, I lived life on my own terms—fast cars, extravagant parties, and luxurious getaways. As the only heir to my father’s vast business empire, I thought the future was mine to command.

Then came that conversation.

“Alex,” my father said in his authoritative boardroom tone, “it’s time you settled down.”

I leaned back, a smirk playing on my lips. “Settle down? Are you suggesting I get married?”

“Exactly,” he replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “The family business can’t be entrusted to someone who behaves recklessly. Having a wife and family will demonstrate your maturity.”

My mother nodded, her expression a mix of disapproval and resolve. “You’re almost 30, Alex. If you can’t prove you’re responsible, we’ll find someone else to take over.”

Anger bubbled within me. If they wanted a perfect son-in-law running the business with a picture-perfect wife, I’d deliver—but not in the way they envisioned.

That’s how Mary entered the picture.

I found her at a charity event, a world away from my usual haunts. She stood quietly in a simple outfit, exuding an air of calm that seemed out of place amidst the glittering crowd. She wasn’t flashy, but there was something magnetic about her.

“Hi, I’m Alex,” I said, my confidence radiating.

“Pleasure,” she replied politely, barely sparing me a glance.

She wasn’t impressed. Excellent.

I got straight to the point. “I’m looking for someone to marry. Not for love—it’s a bit complicated. What’s your take?”

Mary regarded me thoughtfully before letting out a laugh. “Interesting. I could use a marriage too. One rule: don’t ask about my past.”

“Deal,” I said, flashing a grin.

Introducing Mary to my parents was everything I had hoped for. Her understated demeanor and simplicity were a direct affront to their expectations. My mother’s strained smile spoke volumes, and my father’s frown deepened with every passing moment. Mary played her role perfectly, saying just enough to unsettle them.

But at a high-profile charity gala, cracks began to form. The mayor immediately recognized Mary and commended her family’s contributions to a children’s hospital. My parents were visibly taken aback.

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

“They did,” she admitted. “My family manages one of the state’s largest charitable foundations. I didn’t mention it because I wanted to step away from all of that. Your proposal for a fake marriage seemed ideal—I assumed you didn’t care who I was.”

“You knew this wasn’t real?”

“Of course,” she said with a knowing smile. “You’re not exactly subtle, Alex.”

I stared at her, the realization dawning that she wasn’t just a pawn in my rebellion. She was intelligent, independent, and charting her own course—much like me.

Later 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, she smiled warmly. “You might be right.”

The following day, we revealed the truth to my parents. Their shock was palpable, but for once, I didn’t care. Mary wasn’t what they envisioned, but she was exactly what I needed.

What started as a ploy to defy my parents turned into something real. Ultimately, it wasn’t about rebellion or approval—it was about finding each other.