Chapter 2 - The Billionaire's Impossible ProposalDaniel didn't accept immediately.
He went home.
He sat at the kitchen table.
He looked at Lily's drawings.
He looked at Sarah's photograph.
Then he looked at the contract.
Twelve million dollars.
Six months.
Pretend to be Renee Sterling's partner.
It sounded insane.
But Daniel had learned something after Sarah died.
Life didn't always ask permission before changing.
Sometimes it simply changed.
The next morning, he called Renee.
“I'll do it.”
She exhaled.
“Thank you.”
“But I have conditions.”
“Name them.”
“My daughter comes first.”
“Agreed.”
“No lies involving her.”
“Agreed.”
“And if this becomes dangerous, I walk.”
Renee hesitated.
“Agreed.”
They signed.
The first public appearance happened forty-eight hours later.
A charity gala.
Daniel wore a black suit borrowed from a tailor Renee recommended.
He hated every second of it.
Renee smiled when she saw him.
“You look good.”
“I look expensive.”
“That too.”
She offered her arm.
They entered together.
Cameras flashed.
Reporters shouted.
“Renee!”
“Who is he?”
“Is this your fiancé?”
Renee smiled.
“Yes.”
Daniel almost choked.
“You said partner.”
“Smile.”
He smiled.
The room erupted.
Within an hour, the internet was filled with photographs.
RENEE STERLING'S MYSTERY MAN
BILLIONAIRE HEIRESS FINALLY FINDS LOVE
Daniel couldn't believe it.
Then he noticed the men watching them.
Three board members.
One man in particular.
Ethan Sterling.
Renee's uncle.
He approached.
“Congratulations.”
His smile was cold.
Renee didn't blink.
“Thank you.”
Ethan looked at Daniel.
“And you are?”
“Daniel Hayes.”
“Business?”
“Electrical contractor.”
Ethan laughed softly.
“How charming.”
Daniel smiled.
“That's what Renee says.”
Ethan's smile disappeared.
Later that night, Renee whispered:
“He hates you.”
“I barely know him.”
“He doesn't need to.”
She took Daniel's hand.
“That's why you're perfect.”
The next morning, Daniel received an anonymous message.
Walk away while you can.
He showed Renee.
She didn't look surprised.
“They're testing you.”
“Who?”
“I don't know.”
Then her phone rang.
The hospital.
Her latest blood work was worse.
She needed another transfusion.
Daniel watched her face.
For the first time, the billionaire disappeared.
There was only a frightened woman.
“I'm scared,” she whispered.
Daniel squeezed her hand.
“So am I.”
She looked at him.
“You're supposed to tell me everything will be okay.”
“I don't lie.”
She smiled.
“That's why I hired you.”
That night, Daniel stayed beside her hospital bed.
Again.
Just like the first time.
Except now cameras waited outside.
And someone was watching from the hallway.
A figure in a dark coat stood near the elevator.
Then disappeared.
Daniel noticed.
He stood.
Renee grabbed his wrist.
“What is it?”
“Nothing.”
But Daniel knew.
Someone wasn't just fighting for control of Sterling Global.
May you like
Someone was watching Renee's hospital room.
And Daniel had just become the closest person to her.
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