She Fell Into a Single Dad’s Arms at Work — Then One Quiet Whisper Made Them Both Believe in Love Again
Chapter 9
Michael proposed on an ordinary Saturday.
No yacht.
No private island.
No cameras.
He took Victoria to the small restaurant where they had first eaten together.
He placed a ring on the table.
She stared.
“What is this?”
“An idea.”
She laughed.
“That’s not how proposals work.”
He stood.
Then knelt.
“Victoria Hayes, you fell into my arms because neither of us was paying attention.”
She laughed through tears.
“True.”
“You changed my life.”
“You changed mine.”
“I don’t need you to be my CEO.”
She smiled.
“I wouldn’t be.”
“I don’t need your money.”
“I know.”
“I need you.”
Victoria began crying.
“I need you too.”
He held out the ring.
“Will you marry me?”
She said yes.
Lily was waiting outside.
She cheered.
“You did it!”
Michael laughed.
“You knew?”
“Obviously.”
Victoria hugged her.
“You two are impossible.”
They planned a small wedding.
But before it happened, Victoria’s company faced another crisis.
Her father wanted her to sell.
The board wanted an exit.
Investors were pushing.
Michael told her:
“Do what you want.”
She looked at him.
“What would you do?”
“I’d ask what you’d regret.”
She thought.
“Leaving.”
“Then don’t.”
She stayed.
The company entered a restructuring process.
She saved it.
Not for her father.
For the employees.
For the communities.
For the legacy.
It was exhausting.
Michael never told her to work less.
He told her when to stop.
One night, she collapsed on the couch.
“I’m tired.”
“I know.”
“I don’t want to lead tomorrow.”
“You don’t have to.”
“What do you mean?”
“Tomorrow can wait.”
She smiled.
“You’re very annoying.”
“I’ve been told.”
She rested her head against his shoulder.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Helping me feel like I don’t have to be strong every second.”
He kissed her forehead.
“You don’t.”
