PART 4:

That’s not the same thing. But you brought Victoria as a friend. Is she special? Daniel’s eyes flicked to Victoria. She couldn’t breathe. Yes, he said quietly. She is, Lucas beamed. Then she could be my mom. Lucas, I’m just saying. She likes pizza. She knows about velociaptors. She’s not weird.

Victoria laughed a startled genuine sound. Daniel rubbed his face. Buddy, it doesn’t work like that. Why not? Because relationships are complicated, and being a parent is a big responsibility. You can’t just decide someone’s your mom because they like the same dinosaurs. Lucas frowned. That’s a dumb rule, maybe. But it’s reality.

Lucas turned to Victoria. Do you like my dad? Victoria’s heart hammered. She could feel Daniel’s gaze on her. Yes, she said. I do. Then what’s the problem? Out of the mouths of children. The drive back was quiet. Lucas had fallen asleep in the back seat, his head lolling against the window, one hand still clutching a leftover garlic knot.

Daniel drove carefully, taking turns slowly so as not to wake him. Victoria stared out the window, replaying the entire evening in her head. Finally, she spoke. “I’m sorry.” Daniel glanced at her. “For what? For not seeing you for 3 years.” She swallowed. You were right. I knew everything about your schedule, nothing about your life, and that’s that’s not okay. You were my boss, Daniel said.

Boundaries made sense. No, it was more than that. Victoria turned to face him. I was scared. Of what? Of letting anyone get close? Of being vulnerable. Of she exhaled. of wanting something I didn’t think I deserved. Daniel’s hands tightened on the wheel. What do you want, Victoria? She didn’t answer right away.

When she did, her voice was barely a whisper. I want to know you. The real you, not just the assistant who makes my life easier. I want to know what you read, what you dream about, what makes you laugh when no one’s watching, because I care about you. The admission felt like stepping off a cliff, and I think I have for a long time. I just didn’t let myself admit it.

Daniel was quiet for a long moment. Then I thought I was just a tool to you. Victoria’s chest tightened. I know, and I’m sorry. That was wrong. You’re not a tool. You’re She searched for the right words. You’re the best part of my day every day. and I didn’t realize it until I thought I was losing you.

Daniel pulled up in front of her building. He put the car in park but didn’t turn off the engine. I need you to understand something. He said Lucas isn’t just my son. He’s my entire world and anyone who’s part of my life has to be part of his. That’s non-negotiable. I understand. Do you? He turned to face her fully because it’s not just about liking him.

It’s about showing up, being consistent, being someone he can count on. And if you’re not ready for that, if there’s even a chance you’ll decide it’s too much, I need to know now. Victoria met his eyes. I’m not going to pretend I know how to do this. I don’t have a great track record with relationships, and I’ve never been around kids much.

Daniel’s expression didn’t change, but she continued, “I want to try and I don’t say that lightly. I don’t do anything lightly. If I’m committing to this to you, to Lucas, I’m all in. Daniel studied her face. Then slowly, he nodded. Okay. Okay. We can try. Slowly. No pressure. No expectations. He paused.

But if at any point it feels like it’s not working, we stop. For Lucas’s sake. Agreed. Daniel reached across the console. His hand found hers. For a moment, they just sat there, fingers intertwined, breathing in the strange new reality they’d stumbled into. Then Daniel said, “You did good tonight with him.” Victoria smiled. He’s a great kid. He is.

Daniel’s thumb brushed across her knuckles. And he liked you. That matters. What about you? Victoria asked quietly. Daniel’s lips twitched. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t. Then why didn’t you ever say anything? Because you scared me. Victoria blinked. I scared you? Terrified me. He smiled faintly. You’re brilliant, powerful, completely out of my league, and I was just the guy who scheduled your meetings.

You’re so much more than that, maybe. He squeezed her hand. But I didn’t think you’d ever see it that way. I see it now. Daniel held her gaze. Then he leaned across the console and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek. It was brief, gentle, and it felt like a promise. Victoria returned to her penthouse alone.

The lights turned on automatically. The space stretched wide and silent around her. Usually, the quiet felt heavy. Tonight, it felt different. She set her purse down, slipped off her heels, and walked to the window. The city glittered below. Thousands of lights, thousands of lives. For years, Victoria had stood at this window and felt separate from it all, untouchable, alone.

But tonight, she felt connected to Daniel, to Lucas, to the possibility that maybe, just maybe, she didn’t have to do everything alone. Her phone buzzed. A text from Daniel. Daniel Lucas wants to know if you’ll come to his soccer game next Saturday. Victoria’s heart swelled. Victoria, I’ll be there. Daniel, fair warning.

He’s not very good, but he tries hard. Victoria, that’s all that matters. A pause then. Daniel, thank you for tonight. Victoria, thank you for inviting me, Daniel. Good night, Victoria. Victoria, good night, Daniel. She set the phone down and stood there staring at the screen. For the first time in years, Victoria Hail wasn’t afraid of what she felt.

She wasn’t afraid of wanting something, of wanting someone, of wanting a life that was messy and complicated and real. She thought about Lucas’s question. Is she special? And Daniel’s answer. Yes, she is. Victoria closed her eyes. She didn’t know where this was going. Didn’t know if she’d be good at it. Didn’t know if she could be the person Daniel and Lucas needed, but she wanted to try. And that was enough.

For now, it was enough. Outside, the city hummed. Inside, Victoria Hail smiled. And for the first time in a very long time, her apartment didn’t feel empty. It felt like the beginning of something, something worth fighting