Poor Janitor Single Dad Saved an 8-Year-Old From a Sinking Bus — Unaware Her Mom Was a Billionaire
Chapter 7
Elena tried to ignore her feelings.
It wasn’t appropriate.
Daniel worked at one of the schools her foundation funded.
She was a billionaire CEO.
He was a single father who barely had time for himself.
Their worlds were completely different.
So she stopped visiting.
For two weeks.
Then three.
Daniel didn’t chase her.
That surprised her.
She had expected questions.
Instead, he simply continued working.
She asked his supervisor how he was.
“Fine.”
“Does he ever talk about me?”
“No.”
Elena felt strangely disappointed.
Then Sophie became sick.
Nothing serious.
A fever.
But Elena visited the hospital anyway.
She found Daniel sitting beside Sophie’s bed.
He was exhausted.
He had been there all night.
Elena sat beside him.
“She’s okay.”
Daniel nodded.
“Doctor says she’ll be fine.”
“You should sleep.”
“I will.”
“When?”
“When she does.”
Elena smiled sadly.
“You really are a good father.”
He looked at her.
“That’s the one thing I need to be good at.”
She reached for his hand.
“You’re more than that.”
Daniel looked surprised.
“What?”
“You’re more than someone’s father.”
He stared at her.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Sophie opened her eyes.
“Mom?”
Elena smiled.
“I’m not your mom.”
Sophie looked at Daniel.
“Is she your girlfriend?”
Daniel nearly choked.
Elena laughed.
“No.”
Sophie frowned.
“Why not?”
Daniel looked at Elena.
She looked at him.
Neither had an answer.
Sophie closed her eyes again.
“Adults are weird.”
They laughed quietly.
The moment stayed between them.
Later that night, Daniel walked Elena to her car.
“Thanks for coming.”
“Of course.”
He hesitated.
“I missed seeing you.”
Elena’s heart skipped.
“I missed you too.”
He smiled.
“I thought you were avoiding me.”
“I was.”
“Why?”
“Because I was getting attached.”
Daniel became still.
“So was I.”
Neither moved.
They didn’t kiss.
Not yet.
But the truth was now out.
And neither could pretend it didn’t matter.
