I Accidentally Got Auctioned for a Date… My CEO Just Bid $5,000 to Keep Me
Chapter 8
As their children grew, Sophie and Alexander became more aware of time.
Their daughter left for medical school.
Their son attended college.
The house became quieter.
They rediscovered each other.
Weekend breakfasts.
Long walks.
Travel.
They learned to be a couple again, not just parents.
One evening, Sophie asked:
“Would you change anything?”
Alexander smiled.
“The bid.”
She laughed.
“What?”
“I’d bid sooner.”
She shook her head.
“You were already staring.”
“You noticed.”
“Of course.”
They kissed.
Their marriage remained strong.
But eventually, Alexander faced illness.
Not life-threatening.
But serious enough to require surgery.
Sophie stayed beside him.
He was frustrated.
“I hate being dependent.”
She smiled.
“You spent years telling everyone to delegate.”
He laughed.
“Not myself.”
“Exactly.”
He recovered.
The experience changed him.
He retired from daily business earlier.
Sophie took more responsibility.
The company remained strong.
The charity expanded.
Their relationship became calmer.
They no longer needed to prove anything.
They just lived.
One day, Sophie returned to the first restaurant alone.
She sat at their table.
The waiter recognized her.
“Anniversary?”
She smiled.
“Something like that.”
Alexander arrived minutes later.
“You started without me.”
She laughed.
“You were late.”
“Traffic.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“Same excuse.”
They smiled.
He sat.
“You remember?”
“Everything.”
The dinner was ordinary.
That’s what made it special.
They talked about their children.
Grandchildren.
The charity.
Retirement.
Life.
At the end, Alexander reached across the table.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Five thousand dollars was the best decision I ever made.”
She laughed.
“You still say that?”
“Always.”
