Single Dad Bought an Old Bakery after Losing Everything—Then the CEO Who Fired Him Walked In
Chapter 14
One year after Daniel opened the bakery, Victoria came in before sunrise.
The town was still asleep.
Daniel was mixing dough.
She stood behind him.
“Good morning.”
He turned.
“What are you doing here?”
“I couldn’t sleep.”
“You have a board meeting.”
“I canceled it.”
He stared.
“Why?”
She smiled.
“I had more important plans.”
Daniel wiped flour from his hands.
“What plans?”
Victoria walked closer.
“I want to ask you something.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Should I be worried?”
“Probably.”
She took out a small box.
Daniel stopped.
“Victoria.”
“I know.”
She smiled nervously.
“You’re supposed to let me talk.”
He nodded.
She opened the box.
Inside was a simple ring.
“I spent most of my life thinking I had to control everything.”
Daniel listened.
“Then I met you again.”
She looked around the bakery.
“The man who lost everything and somehow built something better.”
She looked back at him.
“You taught me that home isn’t a building.”
She took his hand.
“It’s a person.”
Daniel’s eyes filled.
Victoria dropped to one knee.
“Daniel Brooks…”
He laughed through tears.
“You really practiced this, didn’t you?”
“Please don’t ruin my moment.”
He laughed again.
She smiled.
“Will you marry me?”
Daniel didn’t answer immediately.
He looked toward the stairs.
Lily was standing there.
She whispered,
“Say yes.”
Daniel looked back at Victoria.
“Yes.”
Lily screamed.
“I knew it!”
Victoria stood.
Daniel kissed her.
Lily ran downstairs.
“This is the best day ever!”
Daniel laughed.
“You’re the wedding planner now?”
“Yes.”
Victoria looked worried.
“Should I be concerned?”
“Very.”
They laughed together.
Outside, dawn began to break over Maple Street.
The bakery lights came on.
And for the first time, the woman who had once been Daniel’s boss…
was standing beside him as his future wife.
