Honestly, I was a completely spoiled kid with rich parents. The only things I cared about were my inheritance, money, and my share of the business.
So when my parents, tired of my bachelor lifestyle, made it a condition that I marry to inherit Dad’s business as he planned to retire, I was furious.
To spite them, I planned to find a farm girl and marry her—no love involved—just to annoy them.
I met Mary, and she seemed perfect for the role. My parents were shocked when they found out where she was from and demanded I change my mind, but I stood firm.
However, last week, we were all at a charity ball, including Mary. The mayor came over to greet us, and I expected him to ignore Mary completely, but instead, his face lit up, and he stepped forward, taking her hand with enthusiasm and bowing.
“Miss Whitaker,” he said warmly, “it’s been far too long.”
My parents froze. I blinked in confusion.
Mary smiled politely, as if this was the most normal thing in the world. “It’s good to see you again, Mayor. How is your wife?”
He beamed. “Still raves about your foundation’s work. Honestly, without your contributions, half the rural schools wouldn’t have been built.”
My fork clattered to my plate. Foundation? Contributions? Rural schools?
My parents exchanged wide-eyed stares, while I sat there like an idiot. I had chosen her thinking she was some simple farmer’s daughter—but clearly, I had no idea who I was dealing with.
Later that night, I confronted her. “What the hell was that about? The mayor practically worships you.”
Mary calmly poured herself a glass of wine. “You never asked who I was. You only cared where I was from. Yes, my family runs a farm… and also one of the largest agricultural supply chains in the state. I also chair a nonprofit. You thought you were marrying down, but really…”
She leaned closer, her eyes glinting with quiet power. “…you married up.”
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My parents? They adore her now. Dad keeps calling her “the future of the business.” Mom acts like Mary’s the daughter she always wanted.
And me? For the first time in my life, I’m realizing I may have just been outplayed at my own game.
But here’s the real kicker—Mary isn’t in it for the money, the power, or my family’s approval. She’s playing for something else entirely.
Love.
And the question that keeps me awake at night is simple: will I be smart enough not to lose her?
I didn’t sleep that night. Every word Mary had said replayed in my head. You married up.
The irony stung. For once, I wasn’t the one holding all the cards.
The next morning, I woke to find her in the garden of our estate, kneeling in the dirt, humming as she planted roses alongside my mother. My mother, the same woman who’d sworn to disown me if I married Mary, was laughing with her like they’d been friends for decades.
Dad came up beside me, sipping his coffee. “You know, son,” he said, “I thought you finally lost your mind when you chose her. But now? She might be the best decision you ever made.”
I swallowed hard. Best decision? I hadn’t even decided. I had plotted. Manipulated. Spited.
And yet somehow… Mary was winning everyone over.
At dinner that evening, Mary dropped another bomb.
“I’ve been considering expanding the nonprofit into urban areas,” she said casually, cutting her chicken. “With the right partnerships, we could reach twice as many families.”
Dad leaned forward. “The company could support that. In fact, we should. Imagine the PR—”
Mary shook her head firmly. “Not PR. Impact. If we do this, it won’t be about optics. It’ll be about real change.”
Mom clapped her hands softly, beaming at her. Dad nodded like an eager intern. And me? I felt like I was fading into the background of my own family.
Later, when we were alone, I confronted her again. “You’re… incredible. Smarter than me, smarter than them. You could have had anyone. Why did you agree to marry me?”
Mary set down her glass, studying me carefully.
“Because I saw something in you,” she said softly. “Behind all the arrogance, the privilege, the spoiled tantrums—you have potential. You just don’t believe it yet.”
Her words cut deeper than any insult could. She didn’t want my money. She didn’t need my family. She was here because she thought I could be better.
For the first time in my life, I wanted to be.
And that’s when it hit me: marrying Mary to spite my parents may have been the smartest mistake I ever made.
