My CEO… She Paid Me to Be Her Husband for 1 Year — Then Our ‘Fake’ Marriage Turned Real
Chapter 11
Two years later, Daniel no longer worked in logistics.
Victoria had promoted him to chief operations officer.
He initially refused.
“I don’t want people saying I got the job because I’m your husband.”
Victoria smiled.
“Then earn it.”
He did.
Within a year, he transformed the company’s logistics division.
He cut costs.
Improved delivery times.
Rebuilt supplier relationships.
And created a system that eventually became one of the company’s most profitable divisions.
Daniel’s success had nothing to do with Victoria’s influence.
He had earned it.
At home, Lily was twelve.
She was doing well in school.
She loved science.
She wanted to become an engineer.
One evening, she asked:
“Mom, how did you and Dad meet?”
Victoria looked at Daniel.
He smiled.
“That’s a long story.”
Lily sat down.
“I have time.”
Victoria laughed.
“Your father was my employee.”
“And?”
“I paid him to marry me.”
Lily’s eyes widened.
“You did WHAT?”
Daniel laughed.
“It was complicated.”
Lily stared at both of them.
“That’s the weirdest love story ever.”
Victoria nodded.
“You’re not wrong.”
Lily smiled.
“So it was fake?”
“At first.”
“And then?”
Daniel looked at Victoria.
“Then it became real.”
Lily smiled.
“I like that.”
Later that night, Daniel and Victoria sat outside.
“You know,” Daniel said, “I never expected any of this.”
“Neither did I.”
“Do you regret hiring me?”
Victoria shook her head.
“Never.”
“Even though I cost you a fortune?”
She smiled.
“Best money I ever spent.”
Daniel laughed.
She rested her head against him.
“Daniel?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For showing me what home feels like.”
He kissed her forehead.
“Thank you for giving me a reason to stay.”
They sat quietly.
The city lights shimmered in the distance.
Their marriage had begun with a contract.
But the contract had expired long ago.
The love hadn’t.
