CEO Gets Injured Hiking Alone. The Woman Who Aids Him Doesn’t Realize He’ll Soon Fall for Her
Identities Revealed in Solitude
“Felix.”
He paused, debating whether to give his last name. He rarely introduced himself without the weight of his reputation following. But here in the middle of nowhere, it didn’t seem necessary.
“Felix Emerson.”
“Well, Felix Emerson, you’re in luck.”
“I know this trail pretty well.”
“We just need to get you back to my cabin at the base.”
“I have supplies there, and then we can figure out how to get you to a hospital.”
Felix exhaled. He wasn’t used to relying on others, but right now it seemed he had no choice.
“All right, Victoria. Lead the way.”
She looped his arm over her shoulder, bracing him as he tried to stand. Pain shot through his leg again and he gritted his teeth. But Victoria was strong, guiding him carefully as they started the slow trek back.
“Do you do this often?” Felix asked, trying to distract himself from the pain.
“Help injured businessmen in the middle of the woods?”
“Not exactly. But I do a lot of hiking and I volunteer with search and rescue.”
“You’re lucky I was coming this way.”
“Lucky,” Felix echoed, glancing at her.
He wasn’t sure he believed in luck. But right now, she was the only thing keeping him from spending the night alone in the forest. For the first time in a long while, Felix Emerson was completely at someone else’s mercy.
Victoria tightened her grip around Felix’s waist as they navigated the uneven terrain. His weight was solid against her. While he did his best not to lean on her too much, the occasional sharp inhale told her how much pain he was in.
The sun had dipped lower, casting long streaks of gold through the trees. They needed to move faster.
“You’re stubborn,” she noted, adjusting her footing as she helped him step over a tree root.
Felix let out a strained chuckle.
“You’re just realizing this now?”
“I figured as much the moment you hesitated before letting me help you,” she replied.
“You’re used to doing things on your own.”
His silence told her she was right. After what felt like an eternity, they finally reached the clearing where her cabin sat nestled among towering pines.
It was small but sturdy, built with weathered wood and a sloping roof designed to withstand all seasons. She guided him onto the porch and pushed open the door. The scent of cedar and faintly lingering coffee greeted them.
“Sit,” she instructed, easing him onto the couch before grabbing a folded blanket from a nearby chair.
“Keep your leg elevated.”
Felix exhaled, rubbing his forehead.
“You always this bossy when someone’s injured?”
“Absolutely.”
She disappeared into the small kitchen, returning moments later with an ice pack.
“This will help until we can get you to a hospital.”
Felix took the ice pack without protest, pressing it to his swollen ankle. He glanced around the cabin, taking in the shelves lined with books, the coat rack, and the boots neatly placed by the entrance.
“You live here alone?”
Victoria pulled a chair closer to him and sat down.
“Most of the time. I grew up in a city, but I got tired of all the noise.”
“I like the quiet out here.”
Felix studied her for a moment, noting the way she spoke about solitude with ease rather than loneliness. It was a stark contrast to his world, where silence often felt suffocating.
“You don’t miss it?” he asked.
She shrugged.
“Not really.”
“What about you?” she added, tilting her head.
“You don’t exactly seem like the type to go hiking alone in the middle of nowhere.”
The corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
“What type do I seem like?”
She gave him a once over, taking in the tailored fabric of his clothes. Despite being suited for hiking, they still held an air of expensive taste.
“The type that doesn’t get his hands dirty unless absolutely necessary.”
Felix laughed, a genuine sound that surprised even him.
“You’re not wrong,” he said, shifting slightly and wincing.
“I needed a break. Thought I’d clear my head.”
Victoria leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees.
“And did it work?”
“Not exactly the way I planned,” he hesitated before answering.
She smiled.
“Funny how things never go the way we expect.”
A knock at the door made them both turn. Victoria stood, crossing the room quickly. When she opened it, an older man with graying hair and a weathered jacket greeted her.
“Evening Victoria,” he said, his voice rough but warm.
“Saw the light on. Everything all right?”
Victoria stepped aside, motioning toward Felix.
“Found him on the trail. Bad ankle.”
The man’s eyes flickered with recognition.
“You’re the one who owns that big company in the city, aren’t you?”
Felix’s expression didn’t change, but Victoria felt the shift in energy.
“I don’t think I caught your name,” Felix said smoothly.
“Tom Grayson,” the man replied, stepping inside.
“I run the supply store down in town. We get a lot of hikers, but not many like you.”
Felix met his gaze evenly.
“Meaning?”
“Meaning I don’t usually see men in your position out here alone,” Tom chuckled.
Victoria watched the exchange closely. Felix didn’t confirm or deny anything, but he didn’t need to. She suddenly realized why his name had sounded vaguely familiar: Felix Emerson, CEO of Emerson Holdings.
She kept her expression neutral, but something inside her twisted. She’d patched up plenty of hikers before, but none of them had been billionaires.
“I can drive you to the hospital, son,” Tom cleared his throat. “No need to tough it out.”
“I’ll be fine for now,” Felix shook his head. “I’ll arrange a pickup in the morning.”
Tom didn’t push, just nodded.
“All right then. You need anything, Victoria?”
“I think we’re good,” she assured him.
Tom gave them both a nod before stepping back outside. Once the door shut, Victoria turned to Felix.
“You didn’t tell me you ran a company.”
“It didn’t seem relevant at the time,” he said, adjusting the ice pack on his ankle.
She crossed her arms.
“You don’t find that a little misleading?”
Felix met her gaze steadily.
“Would it have changed anything?”
She hesitated, then shook her head.
“I guess not.”
“Most people react differently when they find out,” he studied her for a moment.
Victoria shrugged.
“I don’t care how much money you have. You were hurt. That’s all that mattered.”
For the first time in a long while, Felix felt something shift inside him. People usually treated him according to his wealth, power, and reputation.
