A Single Dad Rushed Into a Burning Jet to Save the CEO — Then a Marine General Saw His Face and Went Pale
Chapter 11
Lily met Victoria two weeks later.
Daniel had been nervous.
He had imagined every possible scenario.
Lily was ten.
She was protective of her father.
She knew Victoria was famous.
She knew Daniel had saved her.
She knew something dangerous had happened.
But she didn’t know the whole story.
When Victoria arrived, Lily opened the door.
She looked her up and down.
Then asked:
“Are you the billionaire?”
Victoria laughed.
“Yes.”
Lily nodded.
“Do you know my dad burns pancakes?”
Daniel groaned.
“Thank you.”
Victoria smiled.
“I’ve heard.”
Lily looked at her.
“Did he really save you?”
“Yes.”
“Was he scared?”
Victoria looked at Daniel.
“Very.”
Daniel nodded.
“But he still went in.”
Lily smiled.
“That’s my dad.”
They had dinner together.
Nothing dramatic happened.
No awkward speeches.
No discussion of marriage.
Just pasta.
Jokes.
Lily telling embarrassing stories about Daniel.
Victoria laughing more than Daniel had ever seen.
Afterward, Lily asked Victoria to stay.
Victoria looked at Daniel.
He nodded.
Later, when Lily was asleep, Victoria sat beside him.
“She’s amazing.”
“She is.”
“Now I understand why you walked away from everything.”
“She was the reason.”
Victoria took his hand.
“Thank you for letting me meet her.”
Daniel smiled.
“I think she likes you.”
“I hope so.”
“You have competition.”
“From who?”
“Lily.”
Victoria laughed.
“That’s fair.”
The relationship grew slowly.
Daniel didn’t rush.
Victoria didn’t either.
They had survived too much to treat love casually.
She visited Lily.
He visited her company.
They took walks.
Went to ordinary restaurants.
Spent weekends away from cameras.
For the first time, Victoria’s wealth became almost irrelevant.
She wanted a life where she could laugh in a kitchen.
Daniel wanted a life where he could sleep without checking windows.
Together, they began building exactly that.
