“You’ve Been Staring Since the Airport,” the CEO Said — The Single Dad Smiled, “You’ve Been Letting Me”
Chapter 8
Marriage changed Victoria’s relationship with work.
She still led Sterling Global.
But she no longer worked every weekend.
She delegated.
She trusted executives.
The company became stronger.
Liam did the same.
He built a management team.
His business grew.
They supported one another without becoming financially dependent.
One morning, Victoria said:
“We’re doing this wrong.”
Liam looked up.
“What?”
“We’re both working too much.”
He smiled.
“I thought you’d never say it.”
They booked a family vacation.
The first real one in years.
No assistants.
No board meetings.
No laptops.
Just the three of them.
Then four.
Liam’s sister joined them.
The trip was chaotic.
Perfect.
Sophie learned to paddleboard.
Victoria fell into the water.
Liam laughed for ten minutes.
“I hate you.”
“You married me.”
“Temporary insanity.”
They kissed.
The trip reminded them what mattered.
When they returned, a new corporate crisis emerged.
Sterling Global was facing a hostile acquisition attempt.
Victoria’s stock had fallen.
Competitors attacked.
Investors panicked.
The board asked her to consider selling.
She refused.
Liam helped her think.
He didn’t tell her what to do.
He asked questions.
What do you actually want?
What would you regret?
Who benefits?
Who loses?
Victoria realized she didn’t want to sell.
She wanted to rebuild.
She restructured.
Sold non-core assets.
Strengthened governance.
Protected employees.
The company recovered.
Then she did something unexpected.
She created a succession plan.
Liam smiled when he heard.
“That’s new.”
“I want the company to survive without me.”
“That’s smart.”
She nodded.
“That’s what you taught me.”
He smiled.
“I didn’t.”
“You did.”
Their partnership deepened.
They weren’t perfect.
But they were aligned.
Meanwhile, Sophie entered middle school.
She became more independent.
Victoria struggled.
Liam laughed.
“Welcome to parenting.”
“She used to tell me everything.”
“Now she tells us half.”
“That’s terrifying.”
“It’s normal.”
Victoria sighed.
“I hate normal.”
He smiled.
“That’s why you need it.”
She laughed.
