Sarah's POV
I froze the second Daniel said the words.
"I'll be your fiancé, Sarah. But only if you promise to trust me."
My heart slammed so hard it hurt. I stared at him like he had just spoken a different language. Trust him? I barely knew him. I knew his name. I knew he sat outside the coffee shop. I knew he had kind eyes and a quiet voice. That was all.
"You do not even know me," I said fast. My hands shook on my lap. "You do not know my family. You do not know my past."
Daniel did not step closer. He did not touch me. He only nodded once.
"I know," he said. "That is why it has to be your choice."
The night felt heavy. Cars passed. People laughed somewhere far away. I thought of my mother's weak voice. I thought of Christmas coming too fast. I thought of Marcus and how trusting him had broken me.
"I need to talk to my best friend," I said.
Daniel nodded again. "That is fair."
Thirty minutes later, I was walking into a small diner with Daniel beside me. Sophie was already there, sitting in our usual booth. She looked up, saw me, then saw him.
Her smile disappeared.
"Sarah," she said slowly. "Who is that?"
I swallowed. "This is Daniel. Daniel Brooks."
Daniel gave a polite smile. "Nice to meet you."
Sophie did not smile back. Her eyes moved over him, sharp and careful. She was always like that. She protected me when I could not protect myself.
We sat down. The silence was loud.
"So," Sophie said, folding her arms. "Why are you here with a man I have never seen before?"
I took a breath. "Because I told my mom I am engaged."
Sophie's mouth fell open. "You did what?"
"It just came out," I said quickly. "She sounded sick, Soph. I could not break her heart."
Sophie looked at Daniel. "And he is?"
Daniel spoke before I could. "I offered to help."
Sophie leaned back. Her eyes narrowed. "Help how?"
I closed my eyes. "He offered to pretend to be my fiancé."
The booth went quiet. Then Sophie laughed. It was not a happy laugh.
"This is a joke," she said.
"It is not," I whispered.
Sophie leaned forward, her face inches from mine. "Sarah, have you lost your mind?"
Daniel stayed calm. Too calm.
"I am not forcing her," he said. "She can say no."
Sophie turned to him fast. "And why would you do this? Men do not help like this for free."
Daniel met her stare. "Because she was kind to me when she did not have to be."
Sophie studied him harder. "Something about you does not add up, Daniel Brooks."
My stomach twisted. "Sophie, please."
She sighed and rubbed her face. "Fine. Explain everything. Slowly."
I told her. About my mom. About Christmas. About the lie. About the bench. About the offer. I left nothing out.
When I finished, Sophie was quiet for a long time.
"This is dangerous," she said at last. "Fake feelings get real. Lies get messy."
"I know," I said. "But I am out of options."
Sophie looked at Daniel again. "If you hurt her, I will ruin you."
Daniel nodded once. "Understood."
That answer made her even more uneasy.
"Rules," Sophie said suddenly. "If this is happening, there will be rules."
Daniel raised an eyebrow. "I agree."
She pulled out a napkin and a pen. "First. This is fake. No falling in love."
My chest tightened.
"Second," she continued. "No money games. You do not control her."
"Agreed," Daniel said.
"Third. Time limit."
I looked up. "Time limit?"
"New Year," Sophie said. "After that, this ends. Clean break."
Daniel paused for half a second. "That works."
My heart sank and lifted at the same time.
Sophie pushed the napkin toward us. "This is a contract."
I stared at it. My name. His name. Fake engagement until New Year.
"This is insane," I whispered.
"Yes," Sophie said. "But at least it is organized insanity."
Daniel took the pen and signed. His handwriting was neat. Careful.
He slid the pen to me.
My hands shook again. I thought of my mother. I thought of Christmas lights. I thought of being alone.
I signed.
The moment I did, something shifted. Fear mixed with relief.
Sophie folded the napkin and put it in her bag. "I will keep this."
"Thank you," I said softly.
She nodded, then stood up. "I need the restroom."
She walked away, but her eyes stayed on Daniel.
I leaned toward him. "I am sorry about her."
He shook his head. "She loves you. That is clear."
"Why are you really doing this?" I asked quietly.
Daniel looked at the table. "Because some people deserve help."
Before I could ask more, Sophie returned.
"All right," she said. "I am still watching you."
"I expect that," Daniel replied.
We stood to leave. Outside, the cold hit my face.
"Tomorrow," I said. "We should talk details."
Daniel smiled slightly. "Tomorrow."
As we walked away, Sophie slowed her steps. She pulled her phone from her pocket.
She waited until Daniel turned his head.
Click.
She snapped a photo of him.
Her fingers moved fast. Search. Zoom.
Her eyes widened.
"What the…" she whispered.
The screen loaded.
And Sophie realized this man was not who he said he was.