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.
A woman in a red coat | Source: Pexels
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.
A bouquet of roses | Source: Pexels
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.
A man wearing a suit | Source: Pexels
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.
A woman in her room | Source: Pexels
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.”
A man frowning | Source: Pexels
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.
A smiling man | Source: Pexels
“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.”
Flowers on a grave | Source: Pexels
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?
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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.
US Open Buzz: Viewers Say Taylor Swift, 34, Looks ‘Pregnant’ after Seeing Her Belly in a Bodice Dress
Pregnancy rumors were stoked after Taylor Swift was spotted at the US Open with her boyfriend.
On September 8, at the US Open, Travis Kelce, 34, and Taylor Swift, 34, looked fantastic. Rather than their obvious displays of love and joy, Taylor’s body type in the event dress went viral.
Taylor dressed in a bright costume to see the Men’s Singles Final between Jannik Sinner of Italy and Taylor Fritz of the United States. The “Sora Linen Dress” of the Reformation was checkered in red and white.
The tiny straps on this $248 dress, which can be worn on or off the shoulders, and the snug bodice complete the design. Taylor accessorized her dress with brown heels, light jewelry, and black sunglasses.
But Travis sported a light beige Gucci bucket hat, a matching cardigan with red and green Gucci stripes, and a white golf shirt. Brown loafers and white shorts completed his ensemble.
Video of Travis and Taylor was made public, and they were seen in pictures at the wedding with Brittany and Patrick Mahomes.
A video of Travis and Taylor walking hand in hand into the tournament and exploring was uploaded on X by US Open Tennis. “In the age of tennis.” The account posted a video along with the caption, “Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce arrive at the US Open.”
A video of the duo singing The Darkness’ “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” was also uploaded by the US Open. Singing from their viewing box, Taylor and Travis were having the best of their lives. “@taylorswift and @killatrav believe in love,” reads the US Open caption.
In a Latinus video, Taylor danced to a tune while Travis held onto her and bobbed his head.
In a different scenario from the same video, Brittany and Patrick were standing next to the singer and player who gave Travis a cheek kiss.
Internet users recognized Taylor’s belly after noticing images of Travis and Taylor during a tennis event. There were rumors that the “Lover” artist was expecting.
One Instagram user commented, “She looks pregnant,” while another questioned, “Is she pregnant?” Another person commented, “That GIRL is pregnant, lol.” Does Taylor Swift have a baby? A user on X commented, “She’s thin but has a slight belly.”
“When is Taylor Swift going to enthusiastically announce that Travis Kelce is pregnant with their child?” quipped a passerby. Some were ecstatic to see Taylor content, regardless of her pregnancy.
“Okay belly, either she’s full or pregnant either way I’m happy for her,” remarked one fan. Another admirer exclaimed, “Taylor looks so happy!” The sentiment was mirrored by someone else who said, “Okay, they’re officially too cute!” It’s too much joy to watch Taylor Swift fall in love.
Although Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have not addressed the pregnancy rumors, followers still make assumptions and comments.
Days before she and Travis made their US Open debut, Taylor faced criticism for her outfit as well.
On September 5, Taylor supported Travis by dressing controversially during the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Baltimore Ravens game. She wore a scarlet pair of Giuseppe Zanotti boots, a Louis Vuitton purse, and a stunning Medusa ’95 Versace denim corset top when she arrived at Arrowhead Stadium.
Online images of Taylor at the game provoked heated debate. Using a pregnant emoji, one fan proposed getting pregnant. She’s growing hefty, they said.
One more said, “So tacky!” Will there be no fashion consultant for her? “One would think that with all her money, she could have had her stylist choose a better outfit,” remarked another.
Some found the negativity objectionable. One admirer remarked, “Such a cute outfit.” “Can’t believe some people say she “put on too much weight,”” exclaimed one supporter of her. She looks more human than a stick figure.
“Definitely find her more attractive with some extra meat on her bones,” was one comment made by fans in response to Taylor’s makeover. Never was fond of twig bod. The last praise was just, “She’s beautiful.”
Taylor seemed to have had a good time. She sat in Travis’ opulent suite with his parents, Ed and Donna Kelce, after they had entered the stadium.
Clearly at ease with one another, she and Ed engaged in lively conversation and laughter throughout the exciting NFL game.
In a subsequent video, Taylor stood and applauded, encouraging her partner from the sidelines.
In another Instagram picture, Taylor seemed totally absorbed in the game and was shouting loudly.
She celebrates in pictures with Travis’s father, displaying emotion. They fervently enjoyed the game and were Travis’s supporters.
Following the Chiefs’ victory over the Ravens, Travis and Taylor departed Arrowhead Stadium together.
As they walked hand in hand, the couple appeared content and in love. Taylor and Travis are in a public relationship, so their outings frequently go viral. For a variety of reasons, their date night photos became viral in July.
Perceptive observers conversed about the images’ physical attributes. Many have conjectured that Taylor, like her friend Brittany, might be expecting.
Taylor and Travis, a prominent Hollywood couple, were spotted out in London with pals. Their loved ones shared sweet pair images on July 16, which led some on social media to make assumptions about the couple.
According to Summitt Hogue and Brittany’s Instagram pictures, the “Blank Space” artist and tightrope runner from Kansas City is having fun with pals in Europe.
Summitt’s wife, Miranda Hogue, and Brittany’s husband, Patrick, the quarterback for Kansas City, also joined them.
The thrill of their trip was captured on Summitt’s Instagram carousel, which featured everything from trekking in nature reserves and on beaches with his wife and adorable daughters to taking a helicopter ride with Patrick.
In the fifth picture, Summit shared a lovely group shot that included Miranda, Brittany, Travis, Patrick, and Taylor. As the well-known pair moved in front of the other two pairs, Travis wrapped Taylor’s right arm around her shoulders and placed his hand beneath her breasts.
That evening, the vocalist of “Bad Blood” donned a light-blue dress by Vivienne Westwood. $1,010 is the price of the “Sunday gathered cotton midi dress.”
Taylor accessorized her Vivienne Westwood ensemble with a purple purse in the form of a heart. For $721.35 (€660), Taylor offers its “Josephine Heart Crossbody” in croc-embossed leather online. Her heels were block yellow.
Additional European travel adventures can be seen in Brittany’s carousel article. Brittany shared pictures of herself, her husband Patrick, and their adorable babies, Taylor and Travis.
In one stunning picture, Brittany and Taylor shared an embrace as their beaus posed behind them. Summitt was dressed the same way as Taylor.
Travis looked put together in a baseball cap and beige co-ord. Another picture included Taylor kissing Brittany’s head and the two of them hugging.
“What a time #Europe,” is how Summitt titled his photo, and Brittany responded, “London & Amsterdam, a time was had.” Regarding Travis and Taylor showing up in Brittany and Summitt’s Instagram pictures, some sent comments.
People on social media expressed unease about Travis touching his partner with his hand. “Swifties take a closer look at this guy,” a user wrote on Instagram. Whoa.
“Looks like she was trying to move his hand to her waist,” another person remarked. I think it’s hideous and disgusting.
Some people were critical of Taylor’s outfit. One witness questioned, “Why does Taylor’s wardrobe always look like something my grandmother would wear?” Another said, “Taylor needs to fire her stylist.”
Others looked at the couple photo where Travis put one hand on Brittany’s lower abdomen. Travis rubs his lower tummy and gestures to himself. What is meant by that? inquired on social media. “Travy get [Tay] preggers we need little besties for life,” remarked another.
A fan said, “Listen, you and Taylor are so cute!!!” in reference to pregnancy. I adore it, dear! Name my kid Goldie and give her to me. “Brittany & Taylor are both pregnant,” said another.
Although Brittany, a close friend of Taylor’s, has revealed that she will soon become a mother of three, Travis and Taylor have not confirmed their pregnancy.
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