Forced into an arranged marriage to save my family’s business, I expected awkward small talk on my wedding night. But then Adriana gave me an order: “From now on, you must do everything I tell you.” Was this a joke? No. It was a power play — and if I refused, my family would lose everything.
“Son, I wouldn’t ask this of you if there was any other way,” my father said, his voice lacking its usual commanding tone.
A man seated at a desk in a corner office | Source: Midjourney
“You’re certain the only way to save the business is for me to marry some woman I’ve never met?” I couldn’t keep the disbelief from my voice.
He sighed. “Adriana is Victor’s daughter. The merger with his company is the only thing that can save us now. And he’s… traditional. He wants to unite the families.”
“So I’m just a bargaining chip?” The words tasted bitter.
“James, please understand—”
“No, Dad. I understand perfectly.”
An unhappy man in an office | Source: Midjourney
“You built this company, made all the decisions that led to this point, and now I have to clean up your mess by selling myself like some medieval prince.”
His face fell. “Just meet Adriana before you decide.”
I wanted to refuse. But the desperation in my father’s eyes stopped me.
“Fine,” I conceded. “I’ll meet her. But I’m not promising anything.”
A serious-looking man | Source: Midjourney
We met in a restaurant a few days later. Adriana was breathtakingly beautiful with a voice like honey and eyes that assessed everything in seconds.
“I appreciate you agreeing to meet me,” she said as she took her seat. “This situation is… unconventional, but I think we can make it work.” She smiled faintly and twirled a lock of hair around her finger. “Let’s get better acquainted first. What would you like to know about me, James?”
A smiling woman in a restaurant | Source: Midjourney
The conversation flowed freely after that. Adriana was intelligent, witty, and surprisingly easy to talk to. By the time we parted ways, I found myself rethinking my opposition.
“She’s incredible,” I told my father the next day.
Relief washed over his face. “So you’ll do it?”
I hesitated. Something still felt wrong, but seeing the hope in my father’s eyes…
“Yes,” I finally said. “I’ll marry Adriana.”
A man in an office smiling faintly | Source: Midjourney
Our wedding was a business transaction disguised as a celebration. Corporate partners filled the pews, the vows felt like contract terms, and even the kiss seemed negotiated — brief, proper, for show.
The reception dragged on until finally, we were alone in the presidential suite of a five-star hotel.
Adriana kicked off her heels and sat on the edge of the massive bed. I adjusted my tie, unsure of what came next in this strange arrangement.
A man adjusting his tie | Source: Pexels
Adriana locked eyes with me. “From now on, you must do everything I tell you.”
“Excuse me?” I laughed, certain she was joking. “Right. And what’s your first command, Your Highness?”
Her expression didn’t change. “I’m hungry. Go get me a burger from the McDonald’s on Grant Street. Walk there.”
“Adriana, it’s almost midnight. Grant Street is nearly two miles away.”
An incredulous man | Source: Midjourney
“I’m aware.” Her smile was cold. “Better get going.”
I stared at her, waiting for the punchline. It never came.
“You can’t be serious.”
“Dead serious, James. My father only agreed to this marriage because your father promised you’d do whatever I wanted. That was the deal. So, you can either be my servant… or watch your family go bankrupt.”
A smirking woman | Source: Midjourney
I was stunned. Within a few hours, Adriana had transformed from a witty, easygoing woman into an authoritative stranger. One I couldn’t refuse without risking it all.
“Fine. One burger coming up.”
In the elevator, I pulled out my phone and called a taxi. I might be trapped in this marriage, but I wouldn’t be completely powerless.
A man’s finger pressing an elevator button | Source: Pexels
The next morning set the tone for what would become my new normal. Adriana woke me at 6 a.m.
“Press my blue suit,” she instructed. “Then make coffee. Black, one sugar.”
“I’m not your butler,” I protested.
She looked at me with those cool eyes. “No, you’re my husband. Which means you’re whatever I need you to be.”
A woman smiling smugly | Source: Midjourney
Each day brought new demands. Wash her car by hand. Pick up her dry cleaning. Massage her feet after work. Each task was more demeaning than the last.
“Why are you doing this?” I finally asked one evening as I polished her collection of designer shoes.
“Because I can,” she replied simply. “What could be better than having a man who caters to my every need?”
I continued the task in silence, but my mind was racing.
A foot in a high-heeled boot | Source: Pexels
She thought she was breaking me, but she was teaching me instead. Every demand revealed something about her routines and her weaknesses.
When I couldn’t take it anymore, I went to my father.
“She’s turned me into her personal servant,” I confessed.
His face fell. “I had no idea, son. But the contract with Victor…”
“Can’t be broken without bankrupting us,” I finished for him. “I know.”
“I’m so sorry,” he whispered.
“Don’t be,” I replied, a plan already forming. “I’ll handle Adriana.”
A determined man | Source: Midjourney
The tiny wireless cameras were easy to install. I put them everywhere: the living room, the kitchen, her study, our bedroom.
For two weeks, I collected evidence of Adriana ordering me around like a dog, threatening to destroy my family if I disobeyed, and laughing on the phone with her friends about how she had me “completely under control.”
All while her Instagram portrayed us as the perfect couple. “Power duo,” she called us in her captions. If only her followers knew.
A woman taking a selfie | Source: Midjourney
The breaking point came on a rainy Tuesday night.
“I want sushi,” she announced from the couch. “From Akira. You’ll walk there.”
“That’s three miles away,” I pointed out.
“So? Take an umbrella.” She didn’t even look up from her phone.
“No,” I said simply.
The word hung in the air between us. She slowly raised her head, eyes narrowing.
A woman on a sofa | Source: Midjourney
“What did you say?”
“I said no, Adriana. I’m not going.”
She stood, her face flushing with anger. “You don’t say no to me. Ever. Or have you forgotten what happens if you don’t play along?”
“Go ahead,” I challenged. “Call your father. Tell him how disappointed you are.”
“You know I will.” She reached for her phone. “And your family will be finished.”
A glaring woman | Source: Midjourney
I smiled. “I don’t think so.”
Her fingers paused over the screen. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Call him,” I urged. “Please. I insist.”
Confusion flickered across her face, but she made the call, putting it on speaker.
“Daddy? We have a problem. James is being difficult. I think we need to reconsider—”
“Adriana.” Her father’s voice was ice cold. “What the hell have you been doing?”
A cell phone | Source: Pexels
She froze. “What do you mean?”
“James sent me videos. Dozens of them. I had no idea this was what you had in mind when you said you wanted him to do everything you said! Is this how I raised you to behave? Like a tyrant?”
The color drained from her face as she looked at me, finally understanding.
“You recorded me?” she whispered.
I nodded. “Every moment. Every demand.”
A man with crossed arms | Source: Midjourney
“Adriana,” her father continued, “you’ve handed your husband enough blackmail material to destroy our family’s reputation, and he made it clear he’ll use it, too. You’re getting divorced. Those were his conditions: a divorce from you that leaves the business arrangement with his father intact. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, Daddy,” she managed, her voice small.
When the call ended, she turned to me, eyes pleading. “Please, you can’t do this to me! It will ruin my image if we divorce.”
A teary-eyed woman | Source: Pexels
I smiled. This was an opportunity to teach her a valuable lesson.
“I’ll consider staying,” I replied. “But only if you obey my demands.”
Outrage and fury flickered in her eyes, but she nodded.
For the next two weeks, Adriana got a taste of her own medicine. I didn’t go nearly as far as she had, but I made sure she understood what it felt like to be controlled.
A downtrodden woman | Source: Midjourney
“Fetch my coffee,” I would say. “And remember, two sugars.”
She would comply, her jaw tight, her eyes burning with hatred.
Meanwhile, I had my lawyers working on divorce papers. When they were ready, I left them on the kitchen counter for her to find.
“What’s this?” she asked, picking them up.
A woman holding an envelope | Source: Midjourney
“Divorce papers,” I replied calmly. “Our marriage is over.”
“But, you said you’d stay if I obeyed you!” Her voice shook. “You lied to me!”
“Yes,” I agreed, “and I hope you learned something from it. We might’ve actually been able to make this work, Adriana, if you hadn’t used that business deal as a way to enslave me. Pack your things and get out of my apartment.”
A satisfied man | Source: Midjourney
“And before you go,” I added, “post on your Instagram that we’re separating amicably, by mutual agreement.”
“And if I don’t?” she challenged.
I held up my phone. “Then these videos go public.”
An hour later, her perfectly crafted post appeared. “After much reflection, James and I have decided to part ways. We remain committed to our families’ shared business interests and wish each other well.”
Social media icons on a phone screen | Source: Pexels
The door closed behind her, and for the first time since our wedding day, I could breathe freely again.
This arranged marriage had cost me months of dignity, but it had taught me something valuable: no contract, family obligation, or financial concern was worth surrendering control of my life.
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.
We Sent Money to Our Son for College Tuition – One Day, We Discovered He Wasn’t Even Enrolled and Lived in an Old Trailer
As parents, we’d always believed in our son. He was the perfect child—brilliant, and destined for greatness. So when we sent him off to college with thousands of dollars for tuition, we never questioned his progress. Until the day we found out he had been lying to us all along.
From the moment Jason was born, he was our pride and joy. Growing up, he wasn’t just “our son”; he was the son every family in the neighborhood admired. He excelled at everything he touched.
Boy receiving an award in school | Source: Midjourney
Straight A’s? Easy. Captain of the basketball team? Of course. And his charm? It was magnetic. Parents would nudge their kids, saying, “Be more like Jason.” He was handsome, polite, and ambitious. At least, that’s what we thought.
For as long as I can remember, Jason always had a soft spot for animals.
If a stray cat wandered into the yard, it was Jason who would sneak it milk. When our dog, Max, got sick, Jason stayed up all night by his side, even though he was only eight.
Young boy bonding with his dog | Source: Midjourney
“Mom, I want to help animals when I grow up,” he said once, eyes gleaming as he watched Max wag his tail weakly.
“I want to be like Uncle Tom,” he insisted.
I remember laughing softly, tousling his hair. “That’s sweet, honey, but you can help more people if you become a businessman like your dad.”
Young boy bonding with his dog while chatting with his mom. | Source: Midjourney
My husband, Daniel, and I had always envisioned Jason as the future head of our family business. He had all the qualities of a leader.
So, when the time came to choose a college, we insisted on management. Jason hesitated at first, but eventually, he agreed. I thought we had his future all mapped out.
I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Boy standing at a college building | Source: Midjourney
It started innocently enough. Jason was two years into college, supposedly studying business management at a prestigious university. We sent him money every month for tuition and living expenses.
Life was busy for Daniel and me; running a company doesn’t leave much room for doubt. So, we never questioned anything.
But then, everything unraveled.
Woman in her car, talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney
A business trip took me to the city where Jason’s college was located. I was excited to surprise him. “I’ll swing by his dorm, maybe take him out to dinner,” I told Daniel over the phone.
When I arrived at the admissions office to get his dorm address, the woman behind the counter gave me a confused look. “Jason Reed? I’m sorry, but we don’t have anyone by that name enrolled here.”
I froze, sure there was some mistake. “Check again,” I insisted, my voice trembling.
She checked. And then she checked again. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but there’s no record of a Jason Reed. Are you sure this is the right university?”
Woman talking to a receptionist | Source: Midjourney
My stomach turned. I thanked her stiffly and left the office, my mind racing.
I called Jason immediately. “Hey, Mom!” he answered, cheerful as ever.
“Hi, sweetheart,” I said, forcing my voice to stay steady. “I’m in town for a meeting and thought I’d surprise you. How about coffee?”
There was a pause. “Uh, yeah, sure! Let’s meet at the café near campus.”
Something was off, but I brushed it aside. When I saw him at the café, he looked as polished as ever—relaxed, confident, and full of that same charm that had everyone fooled.
Mother and son at a coffee shop | Source: Midjourney
“How’s school?” I asked casually.
“Great! Classes are tough, but I’m learning a lot,” he said without missing a beat. “Midterms are coming up, so I’ve been studying nonstop.”
He lied so smoothly, that I almost believed him. But the admissions clerk’s words echoed in my head. He’s not enrolled here.
When we hugged goodbye, I slipped my fitness bracelet into his jacket pocket. It had GPS. If Jason was lying to me, I needed to know where he was really going.
Mother and son hugging | Source: Midjourney
That evening, I followed the bracelet’s signal. It led me far from campus, away from the bustling city, to the outskirts of town. The smooth tarmac gave way to a dirt road lined with towering trees. The GPS beeped faster as I approached a small clearing.
And there it was—a rusty old trailer, half-hidden among the trees. The roof sagged under the weight of mismatched patches, and the whole place looked like it might collapse in a strong wind.
An old trailer in the woods | Source: Midjourney
I parked my car and waited, gripping the steering wheel so tightly. Ten minutes passed before Jason appeared, walking up the dirt path with a bag slung over his shoulder.
My heart stopped.
I watched as he knocked on the trailer door. When it creaked open, another figure stepped out. It was my brother, Tom.
“Tom?” I whispered to myself, shocked. I hadn’t seen him in over a year. Tom, had always been a wanderer. While Daniel and I built a stable life, Tom flitted between jobs but finally became a veterinarian.
Man standing at the door of an old trailer | Source: Midjourney
Without thinking, I got out of the car and marched toward the trailer.
“Jason!” I called, my voice sharp.
He spun around, eyes wide. “Mom?! What are you doing here?”
“I should be asking you that!” I yelled. “What is this place? Why aren’t you at school? And why is he here?”
Tom leaned against the doorframe, smirking. “Nice to see you too, sis.”
“Stay out of this, Tom,” I snapped, glaring at him.
Jason stepped forward, hands up. “Mom, I can explain.”
Son explaining himself to his mother | Source: Midjourney
“No,” I interrupted, my voice trembling. “I’ve been sending you money—our money—for tuition, thinking you were in college. Were you ever enrolled?”
Jason hesitated, then shook his head. “No.”
The word hit me like a slap. “Then where has all the money gone?”
Jason glanced at Tom, then back at me. “I’ve been using it to fund something…important. Uncle Tom’s been helping me.”
My gaze snapped to Tom, who looked unbothered. “Helping you do what?”
Man standing at the door of an old trailer | Source: Midjourney
Jason took a deep breath. “I’m building a veterinary clinic.”
“What?”
“I’ve been dreaming about this my whole life, Mom. Uncle Tom had the skills and connections to help me get started. I’m using the money to buy equipment and renovate a building nearby. Once it’s ready, he’s going to be the head vet.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “You lied to us! You’ve been funneling money to this—to him?” I pointed at Tom, whose smirk only deepened.
“Mom, this is my calling,” Jason said, his voice steady. “You and Dad wanted me to take over the business, but that’s not who I am. I want to help animals.”
Son talking to his mom | Source: Midjourney
“You betrayed us!” I shouted, my voice cracking. “You’ll never see another penny from me again.”
I turned and stormed back to my car, tears blurring my vision.
Three months passed, and I didn’t speak to Jason. The silence was unbearable, but I couldn’t bring myself to call him. Then, one day, an envelope arrived in the mail.
The letter read: “Dear Mrs. Reed, Thank you for believing in your son and financing his veterinary clinic. Recently, my dog was hit by a car, and your son saved her life. If it weren’t for him—and for you—she wouldn’t be here today.”
I stared at the letter, my hands shaking.
Woman reading a letter | Source: Midjourney
Over the next few weeks, more letters and emails poured in. Each one told a similar story: animals saved, families reunited, lives changed—all thanks to Jason.
I couldn’t take it anymore.
One night, unable to sleep, I found myself searching for Jason’s Veterinary Clinic online. The result popped up instantly, complete with photos of a small building with bright green awnings and a cheerful sign. My breath caught when I saw Jason in the photo, smiling beside a family and their golden retriever.
I grabbed my keys.
Woman’s hand grabbing car keys from the table | Source: Midjourney
The clinic looked just like the pictures. The parking lot was busy, the hum of life evident in the barking of dogs and the chatter of pet owners. My legs felt like jelly as I walked to the front door.
Inside, the first person I saw was Tom. He looked up from a clipboard and froze.
“Well, if it isn’t my sister,” he said, raising an eyebrow. “To what do we owe the honor?”
“I got your messages,” I said, holding back tears.
“My messages?” He smirked, crossing his arms. “Oh, you mean the flood of letters from people thanking you for something you tried to stop.”
Veterinary doctor having a conversation with his sister in his office | Source: Midjourney
I flinched, but he didn’t stop.
“You wrote him off, but look around.” He gestured to the clinic bustling with life. “This is Jason. This is what you didn’t see. You were so busy planning his life, you never stopped to ask what he wanted.”
“Where is he?” I asked, ignoring the sting of his words.
Tom nodded toward a back room. “Go see for yourself.”
Veterinary doctor talking to his sister in his office | Source: Midjourney
On the other side, Jason bent over an examination table, gently examining a scruffy dog while speaking softly to a tearful woman.
“Mom?” he said, noticing me. His voice held equal parts surprise and fear.
I didn’t speak at first, the lump in my throat too heavy. Finally, I managed, “You did this?”
Jason nodded slowly. “Yeah. I did.”
His confidence wavered as he spoke. “I know I hurt you. I know I lied, but—”
“Jason,” I interrupted, my voice breaking. “I was wrong.”
He blinked.
Mother and son having a conversation | Source: Midjourney
I took a shaky step forward. “This is your calling. It’s everything you said it was. And I couldn’t see it. I tried to control you, to make you into someone you weren’t, but…” My voice cracked. “You’ve built something beautiful. Something that saves lives. I’m so proud of you.”
Jason’s eyes glistened as he stepped toward me. “That means everything, Mom.”
Behind us, Tom’s voice rang out, amused but warm. “Look at that. Turns out we were right all along.”
I turned back to Jason, my heart finally at peace.
“Promise me one thing,” I said.
“Anything,” he replied.
“Don’t ever stop being this person.”
Young veterinary doctor talking to his mother | Source: Midjourney
If you enjoyed this story, you might love this one too: My stepmom took $5,000 from my college fund for her veneers — then karma struck back.
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.
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