“Pretend You Love Me for Ten Minutes,” Said the CEO – What the Single Dad Janitor Did Stunned All

Facing the Past

Isabella slipped her hand into Daniel’s. Her palm was ice cold, but her grip was firm.

“Noah, meet Daniel,” she said. “The man I’m with.”

Noah’s gaze ran over Daniel’s work uniform and worn boots. “This really is he? You’re just trying to make me jealous.”

Daniel felt something inside him bristle. He didn’t know the full story, but he knew the tone in Noah’s voice, and he didn’t like it.

“She’s not trying to make you anything,” Daniel said evenly. “She’s with me because she wants to be.”

Noah smirked, but Daniel didn’t break eye contact. Slowly, that smirk faded.

“Enjoy your charity case, Izzy,” Noah said coldly, turning to leave. “It won’t last.”

As Noah’s footsteps faded, Isabella let out a shaky breath. She dropped Daniel’s hand and looked at him like she was seeing him for the first time.

“Thank you,” she said softly. “You have no idea what you just saved me from.”

Daniel nodded. “Was that your ex?”

She hesitated, then nodded. “We were engaged. He broken bar didn’t take it well when I ended it.”

“He shows up sometimes just to remind me that I’ll never escape his shadow,” she continued. “But to her voice cracked slightly, today you made me feel like I could.”

Daniel shifted uncomfortably, unsure what to say. “Glad I could help.”