Single Dad Was Dared to Dance With the Cold CEO — Then She Whispered Something Unforgettable
Chapter 13
One year after the ballroom dance, Victoria walked into a small community center.
The room was decorated with paper stars.
Children ran everywhere.
Parents laughed.
And Daniel stood near the stage wearing a suit he clearly hated.
Victoria smiled.
“What is this?”
Daniel looked nervous.
“A fundraiser.”
“For what?”
“Single-parent support programs.”
She stared.
“You started this?”
Daniel shook his head.
“We started it.”
Victoria looked around.
On one wall were photographs of fathers and mothers raising children alone.
On another was a plaque.
The Laura Hayes Family Foundation.
Victoria covered her mouth.
“Daniel…”
“Laura helped people who had nowhere to turn.”
He took her hand.
“I wanted her name to keep doing that.”
Victoria’s eyes filled.
She hugged him.
Then Emma appeared.
“Mom!”
Victoria froze.
Emma hadn’t called her that before.
Daniel looked equally shocked.
Emma smiled.
“I mean—Victoria.”
Victoria laughed through tears.
“You can call me whatever you want.”
Emma shrugged.
“I like Mom.”
Victoria knelt and hugged her.
Daniel watched them.
His heart nearly broke from happiness.
That evening, after the fundraiser, Daniel found Victoria outside.
“You okay?”
She nodded.
“Very.”
“I have another question.”
“What?”
“Do you remember what you whispered to me at the dance?”
Victoria smiled.
“Of course.”
“You warned me about Richard.”
“Yes.”
“That changed everything.”
She shook her head.
“No.”
“What?”
“The unforgettable part came later.”
Daniel frowned.
“What did I say?”
“You didn’t say anything.”
She stepped closer.
“I was the one whispering.”
“You said, ‘Don’t trust the man standing behind you.’”
“I remember.”
Victoria smiled.
“But there was another thing I wanted to say.”
“What?”
She leaned toward him.
“I wanted to tell you that you were the first man who ever made me feel safe.”
Daniel stared.
Victoria laughed.
“I was too afraid to say it then.”
“And now?”
“Now I’m not.”
Daniel kissed her.
Behind them, Emma shouted,
“Gross!”
They laughed.
Then Daniel looked at Victoria.
“One more thing.”
“What?”
“There’s something unforgettable I want you to hear.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“What?”
“I’m going to ask you to marry me.”
Victoria’s eyes widened.
“Now?”
“Yes.”
“You don’t have a ring.”
“I know.”
“You planned this badly.”
“I’ve been told.”
She laughed.
Then she kissed him.
“Yes.”
Daniel blinked.
“You haven’t heard the question.”
“You already asked.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“You asked with your face.”
“That isn’t how proposals work.”
“It is now.”
He laughed.
“Fine.”
He dropped to one knee.
Victoria covered her mouth.
“Victoria Sterling…”
She started crying before he finished.
“Will you marry me?”
“Yes.”
This time, she said it without hesitation.
