A Struggling Dad Saved A Woman From Being Harassed At Night, Unaware She Was a Billionaire in Love
A Night of Chance and the Discovery of Two Worlds
Jackson Decker didn’t expect to throw a punch that night. But when he saw two drunk guys cornering a terrified woman outside the diner, instincts kicked in before reason ever had the chance.
“Back off,” he barked, stepping in between them and the woman. The taller guy scoffed, “What’s it to you, man?”
Jackson didn’t answer. He landed a solid punch across the guy’s jaw, sending him stumbling.
The second one lunged, but Jackson shoved him hard against the side of the building. The woman gasped behind him.
Within seconds, the two creeps staggered off, cursing under their breath. Jackson turned, breathing hard.
“You good?” he asked. The woman stood frozen.
Her lipstick was smudged, her heels scuffed, and her long black coat was slightly torn at the sleeve. But her eyes, wide, dark, and locked on his, held more fire than fear now.
“I… yeah,” she said. “Thank you.”
He nodded, already backing away. “Be careful walking alone at night. You never know who’s lurking.”
“Wait,” she called, stepping forward. “Can I at least know your name?”
“Jackson,” he said flatly, glancing down the street. “Jackson Decker.”,
“Look, I got to go.” She tilted her head. “You’re hurt.”
He looked at his bleeding knuckles. “Not the first time.”
“I’m Nadia. Nadia Lane.” She took a step closer. “Can I give you a ride or something?”
He gave a tired laugh. “Lady, I just saved you. Don’t worry about me. I’ve got my truck parked around the corner.”
She frowned, clearly not used to being brushed off. “Well, I owe you one.”
“I’ll add it to my list,” he muttered and walked off.
Jackson’s truck coughed as it pulled into his apartment complex. It was an aging building on the edge of the city that rattled every time the train passed.
He climbed the stairs two at a time and unlocked the door. He walked into a tiny two-bedroom unit.
“Daddy!” a small voice piped up from the couch. A little girl with caramel curls peeked out from under a blanket.
She was still in her pink pajamas, hugging a stuffed turtle. “Hey, my girl,” he said, dropping to his knees.
“Why are you still up, Nola?” “I wanted to wait for you,” she yawned.,
He kissed her forehead. “Did Mrs. Jenkins give you dinner?”
“She made spaghetti,” Nola said proudly. “Good. Tomorrow’s my day off.”
“We’ll make pancakes, okay?” She grinned. “With chocolate chips?”
“Only the best.” Jackson carried her to bed and tucked her in.
He sat beside her until her breaths deepened. Once she was asleep, he rubbed his hands over his face, staring at the ceiling.
He’d been juggling two jobs, fighting to keep up with rent and school supplies. He was barely scraping by since Nola’s mom walked out three years ago.
There wasn’t time for anything else. Especially not mysterious women with rich-sounding names and designer coats.
Nadia Lane sat in the back of her chauffeured black SUV. She watched the city blur past the window, but her mind wasn’t on the skyline.
“Are you okay, Miss Lane?” her assistant, Clare, asked from the front seat. “I’m fine,” she said softly.
But she wasn’t. Not really.
She’d come to that diner alone tonight, trying to breathe for once. Being the sole heir to Lane Tech meant she was constantly surrounded by bodyguards and assistants.,
People saw her last name before they ever saw her face. But Jackson, he didn’t know who she was.
He didn’t ask and didn’t care. He saved her and walked away like it was nothing.
For the first time in a long time, she felt something real.
