“You’ve Been Staring Since the Airport,” the CEO Said — The Single Dad Smiled, “You’ve Been Letting Me”
Chapter 5
Marcus Bell moved quickly.
He leaked a story claiming Liam had received the Sterling contract because of a personal relationship with Victoria.
The story spread online.
Liam was furious.
Victoria was livid.
Her legal team wanted to respond.
Liam refused.
“I don’t want a public fight.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s exactly what Marcus wants.”
Victoria nodded.
They investigated quietly.
The leak source was found.
Marcus had accessed private communications.
He had also arranged for another vendor to submit fake bids.
The contract award had been legitimate.
But he wanted to create enough doubt to force a re-bid.
If Sterling reopened the contract, Marcus’s preferred vendor could win.
The evidence was strong.
Victoria removed him.
But the damage had been done.
Liam’s business partner asked whether they should terminate the contract.
Liam refused.
“We did nothing wrong.”
Victoria told him:
“You don’t have to prove yourself to people who already decided.”
He smiled.
“That sounds like something you say to yourself.”
She went quiet.
Because it was true.
That evening, Victoria visited Liam’s home.
She had never been there.
It was smaller than expected.
Warm.
Family photographs.
Books.
Sophie’s drawings.
A framed picture of Liam with his late wife.
Victoria stopped.
Liam noticed.
“That’s Anna.”
“She’s beautiful.”
“She was.”
Victoria looked at him.
“You still love her.”
“Yes.”
She nodded.
“I’m not asking you to stop.”
He was surprised.
“What?”
“Loving someone who died doesn’t mean you can’t love someone who’s alive.”
Liam stared at her.
She looked nervous.
“I don’t know why I said that.”
He smiled softly.
“Because you mean it.”
She nodded.
He stepped closer.
“Victoria.”
“Yes?”
“I think I’m falling for you.”
She closed her eyes.
“That makes two of us.”
He kissed her.
It was gentle.
Almost hesitant.
No fireworks.
No grand gesture.
Just a quiet acknowledgment of something that had been growing for months.
Afterward, Victoria whispered:
“This is complicated.”
“Because of work?”
“Because of everything.”
He understood.
“I don’t want your money.”
“I know.”
“I don’t want your company.”
“I know.”
“I don’t want to be the man people think I am.”
She looked at him.
“What man?”
“The one who married into wealth.”
She smiled.
“You think I’d let you?”
He laughed.
“No.”
They kissed again.
Sophie walked into the room.
They jumped apart.
She stared.
Then smiled.
“Finally.”
Victoria laughed.
Liam covered his face.
“Sophie.”
“What?”
“Go upstairs.”
She laughed.
“Okay.”
After she left, Victoria whispered:
“Your daughter is terrifying.”
“She’s yours now.”
Victoria looked at him.
Neither corrected the statement.
That frightened both of them.
Because the relationship was no longer simply between two adults.
A family was forming.
And families made decisions heavier.
