I need a boyfriend. A millionaire hears his maid say and makes the most unexpected decision.

Alexander Harrison, a 37-year-old tech CEO in Boston, never imagined that five

desperate words from his house manager’s lips would completely overturn the lonely world he’d built over the past 5

years. He’d grown accustomed to the silence in his expansive penthouse overlooking the city, to elegant dinners

eaten alone, to the price of success, having everything except someone to

share it with. But that Tuesday evening, as he walked past the kitchen, he heard

Emma Collins trembling voice on the phone. I need a fake boyfriend for

tomorrow. An absurd sentence, desperate and full of drama. He stood frozen in the

darkness, unaware that he just witnessed the moment that would turn an unexpected favor into the most beautiful love story

neither of them had ever dared to dream of. Stay until the end to discover the miracle that happens when two lonely

hearts find each other among the autumn leaves of Vermont under circumstances no

one could have anticipated. Emma’s voice continued to drift from the pantry, each word like a shard of desperation falling

onto the cold marble floor. Rachel, I know this sounds insane, but Sophie’s wedding is this Saturday.

Saturday? Just 2 days away. She paused, drawing in a trembling breath. Mom said,

“If I don’t bring someone home, then I shouldn’t come home at all.” Alexander stood frozen in the hallway

shadows, his heart pounding like a drum. He’d never heard Emma speak with this

tone. Not the soft, polite voice she always used with him, but the voice of someone drowning and desperate for a

final lifeline. “Dad,” Emma said, her voice breaking

further. The doctor said this might be his last Thanksgiving. His heart is is

so weak. And mom, she keeps saying the only thing she wants before dad is to

see me happy with someone by my side. A sniffle. Emma was crying. I already

asked Mike. He said it was too weird. I asked Tom. He’s traveling for work. 28

years old. Rachel. 28. And I still have to beg people to play a fake boyfriend

so my family won’t be embarrassed. Alexander felt his chest tighten.

two and a half years. Emma had worked for him for two and a half years and he’d never known, never asked, never

seen her as a human being with pain, pressures, silent sacrifices.

I know I have to go. Thanks for listening, Rachel. Emma hung up. A sob

burst out, no longer restrained. the kind of crying that comes from deep

within the soul, from a place Emma had kept locked away for so long. Alexander

wanted to step forward, wanted to say something, but his feet were frozen.

Just then, his hand accidentally brushed the glass tumbler on the side table. It

fell. The shattering sound exploded in the silent space like a bomb. Emma

jerked around with lightning speed. Her eyes were red and swollen. cheeks soaked

with tears, mouth open in absolute horror. Mr. Harrison.

The hallway light cast shadows across Alexander’s face, but Emma could still see his eyes clearly. Eyes looking at

her not as an employee, but as a person he was truly seeing for the first time.

That moment stretched like a century. Silence pressed down like lead. Emma

hugged herself, her body trembling violently, face burning red with shame and fear. I I’m so sorry. You shouldn’t

have. I didn’t know you were home. I’m truly sorry. This will never Don’t.

Alexander spoke, his voice rougher than usual. Don’t apologize, Emma.

After those words, Emma only nodded quickly, hurriedly wiped her tears, and

stumbled toward the back staircase. Alexander stood still, listening to her

rushed footsteps disappear into the silence of the large house.

He looked down at the shattered glass at his feet, feeling as if they reflected something broken inside himself.

Two hours later, Alexander lay on his king-size bed, staring at the ceiling.

Sleep wouldn’t come. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Emma’s tear streaked face, heard her trembling

voice. 28 years old, and I still have to beg people to play a fake boyfriend.

Memories flooded back. Last month, the company’s annual party at the Four Seasons.

Alexander had walked into the ballroom alone as always, Tom Ford suit perfect,

practice smile fixed on his lips. Sarah from marketing had approached. “Still

single, Alex, for a successful man like you. What a waste.” He’d laughed, voice

confident. “Too busy building an empire, Sarah.” Everyone laughed, raised their

glasses. But when he got home, when he removed the suit and stood alone in his

spacious penthouse, Alexander had poured himself a whiskey and sat by the window

overlooking nighttime Boston, feeling painfully hollow. Now, lying in darkness, he suddenly realized a truth

so simple it hurt. He and Emma were terrifyingly alike. Emma was lonely

because she’d sacrificed everything for family, career, love, personal life,

sending money home each month, caring for her parents from afar, forgetting herself entirely. Alexander was lonely

because he’d sacrificed everything for success. Marriage, friendship, emotions,

building Harrison Tech from nothing, forgetting that success can’t be held close on late nights. The only

difference, Emma had a family who loved her, albeit in a misguided way. And him,

he had no one. The clock on his nightstand showed 3:00 in the morning.

Alexander sat bolt upright, heart racing with the craziest thought of his life, 2

and 1/2 years. He’d let Emma work in this house for 2 and 1/2 years without ever asking if she was okay, how her

family was, if she was happy. He’d treated her like a part of the house,

necessary, efficient, but soulless. And now, knowing she was suffering, so

desperate she had to beg strangers for help. How could he turn away? How could