Sarah's POV
He looked at me, "Do you have any concerns?"
He handed me a bank statement. "This is all my savings from years of work - it's all yours.

"My house, my car - they can all be yours, to do with as you please."
"No, no!" I was startled by his generosity. "It's not about that! You're already wonderful!"
"It's about me." I gave a bitter smile.
He said he knew about my situation, but did he know I'd been James's sex partner for eight years while working as his secretary?
If he knew, how could he accept me so easily?
"Dr. Williams, my past... isn't something I'm proud of."

Looking into his sincere eyes, I couldn't deceive him. "I was with another man for eight years. I wasn't even his girlfriend. How could someone like me deserve you?"
"It doesn't matter."
To my surprise, Daniel nodded firmly. "The past is the past. As long as your present and future include me, that's enough."
"Besides," he smiled, "didn't you say you wanted to repay me?"

I stared at him, stunned, like a child suddenly handed the candy they had been longing for.
I'd spent years hinting to James about wanting official status, even just as his girlfriend.
But he always said, "Aren't we just friends with benefits?"
What I'd desperately wanted for so long, Daniel offered freely after meeting me twice.
"Yes!" I nodded firmly. "I'll marry you."
Daniel was a man of action. As soon as I agreed, he took me straight to the courthouse.
When I held the marriage certificate, it still felt surreal.
Was I really married?
Daniel laughed at my dazed expression. "What's wrong? Having second thoughts?
"Too late for that now."
My face felt hot. "Of course not! I'd never regret this."
Daniel was handsome and kind - any woman would be lucky to have him.
"Good." His smile widened as he checked his watch. "Now that we're officially married, there's something else we need to do."
He took me to a jewelry store.
"Here." He naturally took my hand. "See any styles you like?"
The display case sparkled with rings of all kinds, almost blinding me.
After trying several, we chose one with a massive diamond.
"It's too big!" I looked at him anxiously. "It's so expensive - what if I accidentally damage it?"
"Don't worry." He took my hand, carefully sliding the ring on my finger.
"The bigger, the better - everyone will see you're married."
I blushed deeply. The sales associate couldn't help teasing, "You two are so sweet together!"
Daniel then took out his phone, photographed the ring, and posted it on his social media.
"What are you doing?"
He smiled brightly. "Announcing to the world that I'm a married man."
I froze, feeling tears well up in my eyes.
James and I were together for eight years, but he never officially acknowledged our relationship to anyone.
Even though everyone could see it, he always called himself "single."
This kind of open affection was a first for me.
"Alright," Daniel said cheerfully after posting the photo. "It's getting late. Let's get dinner."
"I heard you like spicy food. Lucky for you, so do I.
"We can discuss your thoughts about the wedding over dinner."
I stumbled, hardly believing my ears. "Wedding?"
He nodded as if it were obvious. "Of course."
I hesitated. "Isn't it a bit early to discuss that?"
A wedding would mean inviting lots of people, and I hadn't even met his parents yet.
What if they didn't like me...
"You're right." Noticing my hesitation, he smiled gently. "Am I moving too fast? I'm sorry."
"No, everything's perfect," I shook my head.
Though everything was happening suddenly, Daniel's sincerity was touching.
He gently brushed a strand of hair from my face. "When the time comes, our wedding will be both grand and joyful."
Daniel took me to his friend's restaurant. The owner was surprised at first, then welcomed us warmly, ”So this is the new Mrs. Williams? Daniel finally found someone! Don't forget to invite me to the wedding."
"Order anything you like - I'll give you a fifty percent discount!"
I couldn't help but reflect on the times I'd met James's friends.
Those wealthy heirs had always looked at me with disdain.
"Try this spicy dish," Daniel placed a piece in my bowl. "If you like it, I'll learn to make it for you at home."
"Okay." Warmth spread through my chest as I smiled. "I'll look forward to Chef Daniel's cooking."
As we left the restaurant, Daniel drove me home. Just as I was getting into the car, I thought I heard someone calling my name.
"Hmm?"
I turned around confused, but only caught a glimpse of someone falling in the rearview mirror.
Maybe I was seeing things.
I closed the car window, putting the incident out of my mind.