Single Dad Applied as a Janitor — Then the Billionaire CEO Recognized His Name
Chapter 14
Two years later, Evelyn came home late.
Daniel was waiting in the kitchen.
Lily was asleep upstairs.
He had cooked dinner.
Badly.
She smiled.
“You cooked?”
“I tried.”
She tasted it.
“Oh.”
He laughed.
“That bad?”
“Very.”
She kissed him.
“Still better than my cooking.”
They sat together.
Evelyn looked tired.
“Long day?”
“Board meeting.”
“What happened?”
“I resigned as CEO.”
Daniel froze.
“What?”
She smiled.
“They appointed someone else.”
“You quit?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m tired of proving I can control a company.”
She looked toward the stairs.
“I want to spend more time here.”
Daniel smiled.
“You didn’t have to leave.”
“I know.”
She reached across the table.
“I chose to.”
He took her hand.
After dinner, Lily came downstairs.
“Why are you both smiling?”
Daniel laughed.
“Your mother has news.”
Lily looked at Evelyn.
“Mom?”
Evelyn froze.
Daniel did too.
Lily looked confused.
“What?”
Evelyn’s eyes filled with tears.
“Say that again.”
“Mom?”
Evelyn stood and hugged her.
Daniel watched.
For years, he had been terrified of losing family.
Now he finally understood what family meant.
Not blood alone.
Not money.
Not legal documents.
Choice.
After Lily went back upstairs, Daniel and Evelyn stood on the porch.
“I didn’t think I’d ever hear that,” Evelyn whispered.
“Neither did I.”
She turned toward him.
“Daniel.”
“Yes?”
“Will you marry me?”
He laughed.
“I thought I was supposed to ask.”
“You took too long.”
He smiled.
“How long?”
“Years.”
“Fair.”
She pulled out a small ring.
“No diamonds.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“I like it.”
“I knew you would.”
She looked nervous.
“Well?”
Daniel took her hand.
“Yes.”
She smiled.
“Really?”
“Absolutely.”
He kissed her.
Then Lily opened the upstairs window.
“I KNEW IT!”
They both looked up.
Daniel laughed.
“You were supposed to be sleeping.”
“I was trying!”
Evelyn laughed.
“Come downstairs.”
Lily ran down.
She hugged both of them.
Then asked,
“When’s the wedding?”
Daniel looked at Evelyn.
She shrugged.
“She gets that from you.”
“I get everything from you,” Lily announced.
Daniel laughed.
Maybe that was true.
