My Parents Arranged a Marriage for Me, So I Decided to Test My Wealthy Fiancé

When Nadia returns home from college abroad, she has no choice but to agree to an arranged marriage to a wealthy man—a man chosen by her parents. But as the tentative date for their wedding draws closer, Nadia decides to test him, to truly understand who she’s marrying.

I never imagined that I’d find myself disguised as a homeless woman, sitting on a sidewalk outside of a restaurant. I sat there, hunched with a shawl wrapped around my shoulders.

A woman sitting on the floor | Source: Pexels

People passed me without paying any attention, as I watched for the sleek black car that often carried my fiancé, Danny.

Despite it being the 21st century, in my culture, arranged marriage still holds its own.

A black Mercedes-Benz | Source: Pexels

But I had been studying in America for the past four years, and my ideal of independence and personal freedom was something very different from what I had left home with.

Now, I found myself rebelling at every turn.

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When my parents first broke the news of my engagement to Danny, I was still ensconced in the States—my mind buzzing with new ideologies and lectures on autonomy.

“Now that you’ve been abroad and have studied,” my mother said, “it’s time for you to become a wife.”

I tried to protest, but it always fell on deaf ears.

A smiling woman in a white dress | Source: Pexels

“Nadia,” my mother said, “there is no choice here. Your father and I have done our research. Danny is a good one. He will take care of you.”

My mother moved around the kitchen, mixing a concoction of spices as she began to cook dinner.

Assorted cooking spices | Source: Pexels

“And that’s just it?” I asked, making some tea. “I have to marry this man?”

She nodded and smiled at me.

“Nadia, your father and I did it—we had an arranged marriage, and everything turned out well for us.”

A bride and groom holding hands | Source: Pexels

Now, I was faced with meeting a stranger whom I was going to marry—a stranger and his affluent family.

“You’re going to meet him soon, and his family. They own a line of restaurants, darling. They’re always going out of their way to help people.”

Restaurant interior | Source: Pexels

A few days later, we were all settled around the dining table. It was the first time that I was meeting Danny, and I had no idea what to expect.

When I stepped out of the house, he was there in the driveway, dressed in a suit—holding a gift bag and flowers.

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On first impression, he was good-looking, but I needed him to be more than just a nice face to look at.

This man was going to be my husband. I was stuck with him. And judging from the way my parents were behaving, I didn’t have a choice in the matter.

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As my father welcomed Danny and his parents into our home, my mother brought out a tray of tea and sweets.

“I didn’t know what you’d like,” she said, “so I got everything.”

Tea on a tray | Source: Unsplash

Danny smiled at her; he seemed to genuinely care about impressing my parents. We exchanged polite conversation during the tea, and when it was time for us to have dinner, we sat around the table.

“Danny,” my father said, pointing to the head of the table, “sit here.”

My mother began to fuss over Danny and his family, ensuring that she piled their plates high with food.

A table full of food | Source: Pexels

“I need you to leave here knowing that you’ve been fed,” she said.

I poured myself a glass of juice. It was going to be a long meal.

“Why did you decide to study in America?” Danny asked me, frowning over his glass of water. “Didn’t you want to stay around family?”

Juice in glass bottles | Source: Pexels

“I applied not thinking that I could get in,” I admitted. “But then I did, and I wanted it to be a new challenge for me.”

“But being away for so long?” he pressed. “I bet you spent time in the library.”

“It was just four years. I came home a few times anyway.”

A library | Source: Pexels

“Family is very important to me, Nadia,” he said firmly.

I looked at my mother, who refused to meet my eye. Without me replying to Danny, the silence took over for a few moments. Only the sound of scraping cutlery and chewing could be heard.

A woman eating | Source: Unsplash

“Tell Nadia about your charity,” my father said, beaming at me.

“Oh!” Danny’s mother exclaimed, quickly putting her fork down.

She went on at length about how Danny feeds homeless people all the time, and that he had scheduled a roster for different areas around us.

Bags of food | Source: Unsplash

“Nobody will go hungry if we can help it,” Danny’s mother said.

My goodness, I thought to myself as I dug into my chicken. Do I really need to bear this for the rest of my life?

The dinner ended, and my husband-to-be left the house.

A plate of food | Source: Unsplash

“Don’t you love him?” my mother asked as we washed up the dishes and cleaned the kitchen.

“I don’t know him, Mom,” I said.

“But you will,” she replied, drying the plates with a dish towel. “You will get to know him soon.”

A person washing a glass | Source: Pexels

I didn’t have the energy to deal with it further. I went to my bedroom and sat down, wondering how I could just give in to tradition after having been away and free for so long.

I yearned for my college dorm and the liberation that had come with it. But I also knew that I would have to let go of that.

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Instead, I had to wait for the day of my arranged marriage. As the months closed in, the wedding drew closer, and I began to get anxious—needing pills to sleep.

I didn’t know how I was going to marry Danny, knowing only the bare minimum about him.

One morning, while pouring myself some cereal, I decided that I would dress like a homeless person and wait outside the restaurant that Danny was based at. I needed to see how he would react to someone in need.

A bowl of cereal | Source: Pexels

As the car approached, I huddled into my disguise, my voice hoarse as Danny stepped out of the car.

“Excuse me, Sir,” I said. “Could you spare…”

Danny paused, his brows furrowing slightly.

“Ma’am, what do you need? I can’t just hand you money or food for the day. We need to help you long-term.”

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My heart tightened.

“There’s a shelter not far from here,” he said. “I can take you there, my mother volunteers there, too. You’ll be safe there. You can get a meal, a shower, clean clothing, and we can talk about getting you on your feet.”

I stood up and pulled my shawl away, revealing myself to him.

“Nadia?” he exclaimed, his eyes wide. “What are you doing?”

A shocked man | Source: Pexels

“I was testing you, Danny,” I said. “I wanted to see if you really are the person they say you are. I just needed to know. How else can I marry you?”

Danny looked stunned, then a wry smile spread across his face.

“I guess I should be honest too, then. I’ve been horrible on purpose, hoping you’d call off the wedding.”

His candidness took me aback.

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“Why would you do that?” I asked.

Danny sighed, running a hand through his hair as he silenced his ringing phone.

“Because I thought it was all a farce. I didn’t want to be part of an arrangement. Not really. I knew that it needed to be done, because of my age. But I’ve wanted love. I’ve wanted to marry for love.”

A man holding a phone | Source: Pexels

As we sat down on a nearby bench, Danny opened up about his past.

“The parents you met are my adopted parents. My mother died when I was very young, and they took me in. I’ve built my entire persona to help people who are where I once was. It’s not just philanthropy—it’s personal.”

His words echoed in the cold air—each syllable heavy with emotion.

“Yes, I am successful. But I never wanted to use that success as leverage for a marriage. I wanted someone to see me, not my money or my past.”

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We talked through the evening, unraveling the misunderstandings and the pressure from our families. It was the first time we truly connected, seeing each other beyond the expectations set upon us.

In the weeks that followed, we began dating—real dates, filled with genuine laughter and shared dreams. Our parents saw the change in us, the way we looked at each other with newfound respect and affection.

Soon, we’ll be married, but now, I’m content with the reality of it.

A couple holding hands | Source: Pexels

What would you have done?

If you enjoyed this story, here’s another one:

When Elle’s mother passes away, she moves through the funeral in a daze. But then, she stumbles upon a man who closely resembles her. When he approaches her, he reveals that he is her biological father—who had been hidden away all this time. Elle doesn’t know whether she should tell her father and risk losing the only other parent she has ever known.

Read the full story here.

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

My Four Kids Objected at My Wedding – When I Found Out Why, My Heart Sank

Margaret has found love again ten years after her first husband’s passing. But it seems like her problems are far from over. When the officiant at her wedding asks if anyone objects, her four children stand up and say they do. Margaret’s heart sinks as she wonders what went wrong and why her once supportive children are now objecting. What happened?

The late afternoon sunlight streamed through the windows as I sat in my favorite armchair. “Oh, James, I miss you every day,” I murmured, my fingers tracing the edges of the old photograph.

A woman sitting and looking at photos | Source: Midjourney

The photo album lay open on my lap, filled with memories of a life that once was.

I looked at the picture of James, his smile so vivid, almost as if he was still here with me. Oh dear! We met in college, young and full of dreams.

Our first date was at a small café near campus, where we talked for hours about everything and nothing. He had this way of making me feel special as if I was the only person in the world who mattered.

A couple kissing | Source: Pexels

As I flipped through the pages, each photo brought back a flood of memories. There was our wedding day, a beautiful sunny afternoon in June.

I could still hear the laughter of our friends and family, see the joy in James’ eyes as we said our vows. We were so happy, so full of hope for the future.

An older woman smiling at her wedding | Source: Midjourney

We had our share of adventures, traveling to places we’d always dreamed of. There was the trip to Italy, where we got lost in the winding streets of Rome and ended up having the best pizza we’d ever tasted.

Or the time we went camping in the Rockies, and James insisted on making a campfire despite the pouring rain. We laughed so much that night, huddled together under a makeshift tent, feeling like nothing could ever go wrong.

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But then life happened.

When I was 42, James fell ill, and despite our hopes and prayers, he passed away. The day I lost him was the hardest day of my life. The house felt empty, and my heart ached with a loneliness I couldn’t escape.

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For years, I believed that kind of love was a once-in-a-lifetime thing. I went through the motions, keeping busy with hobbies and spending time with friends, but something was always missing.

That’s when Michael came into my life. Two years ago.

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Michael was different from James in many ways, but he brought a light back into my life. We met at a friend’s dinner party, and his kindness and sense of humor drew me in.

Slowly, he became an important part of my life. I felt that warmth of love again, something I thought was gone forever. So when he proposed six months ago, I immediately said yes.

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I closed the photo album, holding it close to my chest.

“James, you’ll always be my first love,” I whispered, feeling a tear slip down my cheek. “But I think you’d be happy for me. I found someone who makes me smile again.”

An older woman hugging an album | Source: Midjourney

I looked around the cozy living room, the place that held so many memories. Today, my house buzzed with excitement as we prepared for Michael and my wedding.

My children were all here, making everything perfect.

“Mom, can you help me with this banner?” Jackson called from the living room.

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He was adjusting the decorations, making sure every detail was just right. Jackson always had an eye for these things.

“Of course, dear,” I said, walking over to give him a hand.

As I helped him, I glanced around the room and felt a wave of happiness wash over me. Harry was coordinating with the caterers on the phone.

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“Make sure they know about the vegetarian options,” I reminded him. He nodded, giving me a thumbs-up.

Oliver was in the corner, arranging flowers with such care. “These lilies look beautiful, Oliver,” I said.

“Thanks, Mom. I just want everything to be perfect for you and Michael,” he replied, his eyes shining with love and excitement.

A man holding flowers | Source: Freepik

Benjamin, my youngest, was moving around, making sure everything was running smoothly. “Mom, I’ve checked the sound system. It’s all set for the music and speeches,” he said, giving me a quick hug.

“Thank you, Ben. You’re all doing such a great job,” I said, feeling a lump in my throat.

My children were truly a blessing.

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Michael was in the living room, reviewing his vows. He looked up and smiled as I walked over.

“How are you holding up?” he asked, taking my hand.

“I’m doing great, thanks to all of you,” I said, squeezing his hand. “I’m so lucky to have such wonderful children and to have you in my life.”

A happy older couple at home | Source: Freepik

“We’re all here for you, Mom,” Jackson said, joining us. “We want your day to be perfect.”

“And it will be because of all your hard work,” I said, my heart swelling with pride and love.

As the day went on, the house was filled with laughter and chatter. It was chaotic but in the best possible way.

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As the sun set that evening, we gathered in the backyard for a small rehearsal dinner.

The space was adorned with twinkling lights and flowers.

Everything seemed breathtaking.

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“Mom, do you like everything?” Jackson asked, taking a seat beside me.

“I do, honey,” I replied with a smile.

Michael came over and wrapped his arm around me. “Are you ready for tomorrow, love?” he asked with a smile.

“I think so,” I replied, leaning into him. “It’s hard to believe it’s almost here.”

A happy couple | Source: Pexels

Oliver raised his glass. “A toast to Mom and Michael. May your love be as bright and lasting as these lights,” he said, and everyone clinked their glasses together.

“To Mom and Michael!” they all echoed, their faces full of joy and support.

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I looked around at my children, feeling overwhelmed with gratitude. “Thank you all for being here and for everything you’ve done. I couldn’t have asked for a better family,” I said, my voice trembling with emotion.

“Mom, we wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Benjamin said, smiling warmly.

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Oliver nodded. “Yeah, we’re so glad to see you happy again.”

But despite the laughter and love surrounding me, a part of my heart ached for Emily, my estranged daughter.

I couldn’t help but wonder if she would ever forgive me. Her absence was a constant reminder of the pain that still lingered.

A sad woman | Source: Midjourney

“Emily would have loved this,” I said quietly, more to myself than anyone else.

Michael squeezed my hand. “She still might come around, Margaret. Give it time.”

“I hope so,” I replied, trying to push the sadness away.

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The next day, my heart raced as I stood beside Michael, facing the officiant at our picturesque outdoor venue.

The flowers and twinkling lights created a magical atmosphere, but nothing could prepare me for what happened next.

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“If anyone objects to this union, speak now or forever hold your peace,” the officiant said. My four children stood together, their faces serious.

“We do!” they said in unison.

My heart sank. Everything had been so perfect until yesterday.

A shocked woman | Source: Midjourney

Before I could ask, Jackson spoke up. “You can’t get married, Mom, at least not without one person.”

The children moved aside, creating a path. And there she was. Emily. I couldn’t believe my eyes!

A pretty woman | Source: Unsplash

She walked towards us with tears streaming down her face.

My emotions swirled within me, almost overwhelming.

“Mom, I’m so sorry,” she said, her voice trembling.

A sad woman | Source: Midjourney

Tears welled up in my eyes as I rushed to embrace her.

“I’m sorry, Ma. I blamed you for Dad’s death, but over the years, I realized how unfair that was,” she added, pulling away. “He made a choice, and you honored his wishes. I was too hurt to see that.”

Back when James was suffering from his illness, he made me sign a document.

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It said that if his heart stopped, we wouldn’t resuscitate him. I honored his wishes, and it broke my heart.

Emily was devastated and said I killed him.

She disappeared from my life, and I feared I would never see her again.

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“I’ve missed you so much, honey,” I told her. “I’ve tried to reach out, to explain, but I understand why you couldn’t hear me then.”

Emily again wrapped me in a hug, both of us crying as we reconciled.

“I don’t want you to start this new chapter of your life without knowing that I support you. Michael seems wonderful, and I want to be a part of your life again. Thanks to my brothers who called me here,” she said.

Two women embracing | Source: Midjourney

Michael stepped forward, gently taking Emily’s hand. “Emily, I’ve heard so much about you. Your mother loves you deeply. This means everything to her.”

With tears in my eyes and my heart full, I turned back to the officiant. “Let’s continue,” I said.

Michael and I shared our vows, and when the officiant pronounced us husband and wife, we shared our first kiss as a married couple. The reception was even better.

People at a wedding reception | Source: Unsplash

My five children were together and happy.

Emily raised her glass for a toast and looked at Michael and me. “To new beginnings, to love, and to family. Here’s to Mom and Michael and to all of us being together again.”

The room echoed with cheers and clinking glasses. I looked around, my heart swelling with gratitude and completeness. My family was whole again, and I was stepping into a new chapter with everyone I loved by my side.