The Secret Life of Mary
The mayor’s words hung in the air like a bombshell: “Miss Hathaway, what an honor to see you here!”
I blinked, stunned. Miss Hathaway? Mary? My quiet, unassuming farm girl wife?
Mary smiled warmly, her usual confidence somehow sharper now. “Mayor Grant,” she said with a slight nod, “it’s been a long time.”
The mayor chuckled. “Too long! What brings you to this part of town? Still dabbling in philanthropy, I hope?”
Philanthropy? My mind was spinning. I looked at Mary, hoping for some kind of explanation, but she just smiled and excused herself, saying she needed to fetch a drink.
As soon as she left, I turned to the mayor. “You know Mary?”
The mayor raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Of course! Who doesn’t? She’s practically royalty in the business world. The Hathaway Foundation has funded more community projects in this city than I can count. She’s a remarkable woman.”
I felt like the floor had been ripped out from under me. “The Hathaway Foundation?” I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper.
The mayor nodded. “Her family’s foundation. Didn’t you know? She’s the only daughter of Gerald Hathaway. The man’s practically a legend in tech and real estate. Mary’s made quite a name for herself in her own right, though. Humble and hardworking, despite her wealth. She’s one of the few people in her position who truly understands what it means to give back.”
I barely managed a nod before the mayor was whisked away to greet other guests. My thoughts were racing, my head pounding. Mary… a billionaire? The daughter of Gerald Hathaway? The same Gerald Hathaway whose name was on skyscrapers and innovation awards?
I’d married her to spite my parents, to show them that I could make my own decisions and didn’t need their approval. And now I was finding out that Mary wasn’t just “some farm girl.” She was leagues above me in wealth, influence, and class.
When Mary returned with two glasses of champagne, I was still rooted to the spot.
“You okay?” she asked, handing me a glass. Her expression was calm, but there was a flicker of amusement in her eyes.
“I… I just talked to the mayor,” I stammered.
“Oh?” she said, taking a sip of her drink.
“He said you’re Gerald Hathaway’s daughter.”
Her smile widened. “And?”
“And?!” I exclaimed, my voice rising. “Why didn’t you tell me? You let me think you were just some poor farm girl!”
Mary shrugged, her demeanor unbothered. “You never asked. You seemed so convinced of who I was, and I didn’t feel the need to correct you. Besides, it was fun watching you try to ‘rebel’ against your parents with me. Quite the performance.”
I stared at her, speechless.
“You married me for the wrong reasons,” she continued, her voice steady. “You thought you were using me to make a point, but you never bothered to really know me. That’s on you.”
I opened my mouth to protest, but she held up a hand. “Here’s the thing: I like you, even if you’re a bit spoiled and short-sighted. But I don’t need you, and I certainly don’t need your family’s business. So, if you’re in this for anything other than a genuine partnership, let’s not waste each other’s time.”
Her words hit me like a ton of bricks. I’d been so focused on my own agenda, so blinded by my need to prove something to my parents, that I’d completely underestimated her.
For the first time, I saw Mary for who she really was: strong, intelligent, and far out of my league in every way that mattered.
I took a deep breath, my arrogance deflating. “You’re right,” I admitted. “I’ve been selfish and stupid. But I want to change that. I want to get to know the real you, if you’ll let me.”
Mary studied me for a long moment before finally nodding. “We’ll see,” she said with a small smile.
As the night went on, I couldn’t help but feel like I was starting from scratch—earning her trust, her respect, and maybe, someday, her love. For the first time in my life, I realized what it truly meant to grow up.