Dmitry Kozlov was a man of many things. At 38, his name carried weight in the fitness industry. He was a pioneer, a self-made millionaire who had built a national empire of luxury gyms and sports supplements. He rubbed elbows with the rich, the famous, and the powerful. To the world, Dmitry embodied success—ruthless, powerful, and perfectly polished.

Yet, beneath the gleaming surface of this perfect life, Dmitry carried an emptiness no one saw. He often joked about it with friends, calling it his "rich man's burden," but the reality was far less glamorous.

It was one of those exclusive dinners with his closest friends—self-made millionaires like himself—that the conversation took a turn. As the wine flowed freely and the conversation veered into territory of bravado and ego, one of Dmitry’s friends posed the question everyone was curious about: “Would you ever marry a plus-size woman?”

The question, half in jest, half in genuine curiosity, sparked laughter around the table. Dmitry, always the one to play along, leaned back, took a sip of his wine, and replied coolly, “Sure. If the reason was right, I’d do it tomorrow. I don’t judge people by appearances.”

The room erupted in laughter, but one of his friends, his grin widening, pushed further, “So, if a bet was on the table, could you marry a plus-size woman within three months?”

Dmitry raised an eyebrow. “You’re joking, right?”

But the bets were already on the table, and so the challenge was made. Dmitry, with all his confidence and arrogance, accepted.

His challenge was clear—find a plus-size woman, win her heart, and marry her within three months. No fake romance. No acting. It had to be genuine on the surface, and if he succeeded, he would win. A year’s worth of business and personal investments would go to him.

This was no longer a joke. It was a game. And Dmitry—accustomed to winning—was going to play it to the hilt.

Aline, on the other hand, had no interest in games. A 30-year-old literary blogger, she lived a quiet life in a small apartment, working as a librarian by day and writing by night. Her life was simple, peaceful, and she was content with her routine. The last thing she needed was a man’s ego testing her self-worth.

Yet, fate had other plans.

One evening, while walking home from work, she met Dmitry by chance. He was charismatic, charming, and radiated a confidence that intrigued her. At first, she thought he was just another rich man—one who liked to collect people like trophies. But Dmitry caught her attention in a way she hadn’t expected. He asked questions that made her think, talked to her like she wasn’t just a woman to be admired but someone he genuinely wanted to understand.

Over the next few weeks, their encounters were brief but meaningful. Dmitry, never one to shy away from the truth, eventually admitted why he was pursuing her. He told her about the bet, and his openness shocked her. But instead of rejecting him outright, Aline found herself intrigued. She was skeptical, but her curiosity got the better of her.

“What do you want from me, Dmitry?” she asked, her tone steady, though her heart raced.

“Nothing,” he replied, his eyes locking with hers. “I’m playing a game, but I don’t want to play it anymore. I’m only here because I want to know you, Aline.”

She didn’t know whether to trust him. But somehow, in the way he looked at her, she sensed something real. Something human, something that wasn’t manufactured by wealth or status.

As the weeks passed, Aline couldn’t ignore the growing feelings she had for Dmitry. And Dmitry—who had expected the game to be easy—found himself falling for her in ways he hadn’t planned. She didn’t chase after his wealth. She didn’t care for the lavish dinners or the expensive gifts. What she valued was the person he was beneath the surface. For the first time in years, Dmitry felt like he wasn’t being judged by his status.

But the clock was ticking. He had three months to win her heart, to prove his commitment, and to make good on the bet. It was supposed to be a game, but with each passing day, it felt more like a mission he wasn’t sure he could accomplish.

Then came the day when Dmitry decided to take a leap. He no longer wanted to play the game. He wanted Aline for himself. He called her to meet him at a small café he had reserved for their dinner date.

The evening unfolded like a scene from a romance novel. Dmitry, dressed in a simple but elegant suit, sat across from Aline, who wore a dress that captured the essence of grace. There was no pretense between them. No games. Just two people, connected by something deeper than either had expected.

“Aline,” Dmitry began, his voice low, “I’m done with the bet. I don’t want to play anymore. I never wanted to win you as part of a game. I just want you.”

Aline stared at him, unsure of what to say. Her heart was caught between trust and doubt.

“I know I’ve lied to you,” he continued, his eyes softening. “But I promise you, this is real. I want you for who you are, not for what you can give me.”

Aline felt a weight lift from her chest. She wanted to believe him. But years of self-preservation had taught her to be cautious with her heart.

“You want me, Dmitry?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

“I’ve wanted you from the moment we met,” he replied, his sincerity evident in his eyes. “And I don’t care about the bet anymore. I care about you. That’s the truth.”

Aline, for the first time, allowed herself to believe him. She reached across the table and took his hand.

“I believe you,” she whispered.

The evening continued, filled with laughter, shared stories, and the quiet joy of two souls finally finding each other. For the first time in months, Dmitry felt like he wasn’t playing a part in someone’s game. He was just being himself with Aline, and that felt better than any victory.

Weeks later, the bet became a distant memory. Dmitry no longer cared about the wager that had once seemed so important. What mattered was the love he had found in Aline—the woman who didn’t see his wealth, but saw him for who he truly was.

And Aline, despite her initial skepticism, learned to trust in the sincerity of Dmitry’s feelings. She wasn’t just a prize to win. She was his partner, his equal. And together, they built a relationship based on truth, trust, and love.

The game was over. The real journey was just beginning.