Chapter nine
611 Words
The months that followed were challenging but also beautiful. Daniel did exactly what he'd promised. He enrolled in night classes at a nearby university to finish his business degree. He continued working as the Montgomerys' driver during the day, saving every penny he could. Victoria got a part time job at an art gallery, wanting to prove to her father and to herself that she could work and contribute, that she wasn't just a spoiled rich girl.
They moved slowly, deliberately. Daniel wanted to do things right. Six months after that dinner, he saved enough money to buy Victoria a ring. It wasn't expensive, just a simple silver band with a small diamond, but when he got down on one knee in the same parking lot where she'd first apologized to him all those months ago, Victoria cried like she'd never cried before.
"Yes," she said before he could even finish asking. "Yes, yes, yes."
They went to tell her parents together that same night. Thomas looked at the ring on his daughter's finger, such a modest thing compared to what he could have bought her, and something in his expression softened.
"When's the wedding?" he asked.
Victoria blinked. "You're okay with this?"
"I didn't say that," Thomas said, but there was almost a smile on his face. "But I can see you've made up your mind. And I can see that this young man has kept his word. He's been working hard, taking care of you, treating you with respect. That's more than I can say for most of the men in our social circle."
Caroline was already crying, happy tears this time. "I'm so happy for you, sweetheart," she said, hugging Victoria tightly.
"We want a small wedding," Victoria said. "Nothing extravagant. Just family and close friends."
"Absolutely not," Thomas said, and Victoria's heart sank. But then he continued, "My daughter is getting married. We're doing this properly. Big venue, beautiful dress, all of it. I'm not having people say I didn't give my daughter the wedding she deserves."
"Dad, that's not necessary—" Victoria started.
"Let me do this," Thomas interrupted, and his voice was gentler than she'd heard it in months. "Please. Let me give you this."
Victoria looked at Daniel, who squeezed her hand and nodded. "Okay," she said. "Thank you, Daddy."
The wedding planning began immediately. Caroline threw herself into it, enjoying every moment of helping her daughter choose flowers and invitations and venues. Victoria was surprised to find she actually enjoyed it too, especially since Daniel was involved in every decision. This wasn't just her day. It was theirs.
Daniel's sister Emma was ecstatic. She became fast friends with Victoria, helping with the planning and being the supportive sister Victoria had never had. The two families, so different from each other, began to blend in unexpected ways.
Three months before the wedding, something happened that changed everything. Thomas offered Daniel a position at his firm. Not as a driver, but as a junior analyst in his investment company. The salary was substantial, more than Daniel had ever imagined making.
"I don't want charity," Daniel said carefully when Thomas made the offer.
"It's not charity," Thomas said. "I've been watching you. You're smart, you're hardworking, and you're studying finance. I need good people in my company. People who understand what it means to struggle, who won't take success for granted. That's you. So don't think of this as a favor. Think of it as an opportunity you've earned."
Daniel accepted, and Victoria had never seen him so happy. He was finally building the life he'd always wanted, and he was building it with her.
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