To make a good impression on my new boss, I hired a complete stranger and his little daughter to pretend to be my flawless, picture-perfect family—just for a single day. The plan was meant to be simple. Nobody was ever supposed to find out. But one unexpected twist flipped the entire arrangement on its head… and completely changed everything I thought I wanted in life.

Work had always been my number-one priority. Growing up, I’d spent my entire childhood watching my parents rip each other apart, and I vowed I would never end up like them.

So I chose a different path. I chose my career. I chose myself. And everything had been running smoothly—until one single moment turned it all upside down.

Our company was taken over by a new owner, and we were told we’d have a new boss. No one had laid eyes on her yet. We didn’t even know her name.

Then one day, her assistant showed up. She stood in the middle of the office, cleared her throat, and spoke in a loud, clear voice.

“Hi, I’m Amber. I have a message from upper management. Our new boss has always believed family comes before business, and she credits that for her success. She’s currently searching for a deputy who shares those same values—someone who is first and foremost a devoted family person,” Amber announced.

A murmur rippled through the office. Most of us were either single or not officially married, and frankly, it was a very odd job requirement.

“So tomorrow will be Family Day here at the office,” Amber continued. “She wants to meet everyone’s families to help her make her decision. Thanks for your attention,” she finished, then walked away.

“What on earth was that about?” I muttered to my coworker Lucy.

“No idea. But I guess I’d better find someone to play my husband—fast,” Lucy laughed.

I chuckled along. It sounded like a ridiculous joke. But then I thought… why not? Why not actually hire someone to pretend to be my husband?

I could use the promotion, and there was no way the new boss would be dropping by my home to confirm.

It could actually work. So, I decided to go for it. After work, I headed straight to the local theater, hoping to find an actor.

But after yanking the door handle several times, I realized it was locked. I started banging on it, hoping someone inside might hear me. I needed to find someone—and fast.

“The theater’s closed today,” a man’s voice said from nearby. He was walking past, holding the hand of a little girl.

“Do you work here?” I asked.

“Yeah. I’m a composer,” he replied.

“No—you’re my lifesaver,” I blurted out, causing him to raise an eyebrow in confusion.

“I need a man to pretend to be my husband. Just for one day,” I explained.

“I’m not an actor. I write music,” the man replied.

“Close enough. You watch actors all day, right?” I pressed. Then I gestured toward the girl. “Is that your daughter?”

The little girl stepped closer to him. “Yeah, she’s my daughter,” he said.

“Perfect! Please—just for a day—pretend to be my family. I’ll pay you,” I pleaded.

“How much?” he asked.

“Name your price,” I said.

“Ten grand,” he replied.

“Deal,” I said instantly, offering my hand.

“Are you serious?” he asked in disbelief.

“Dead serious. I really need this,” I insisted.

“Alright then,” he agreed, shaking my hand.

His name was Max. His daughter’s name was Luna. I took them to a nearby coffee shop so we could get acquainted.

It honestly felt a bit like a first date—rapid-fire questions to break the ice.

Luna was bright for her age and caught on quickly. By the time we said goodbye, she was already calling me “Mom.”

I could only hope the plan would succeed. I couldn’t afford for it to fail.

The next morning, I picked up Max and Luna and drove them to my office. Before we got out of the car, I turned to them.

“You both remember everything we talked about, right? We’re a happy family, we live together, we spend lots of time together.”

“Yeah, yeah, we got it,” Max said with a nod.

I glanced at Luna for confirmation.

“Will you buy me ice cream?” she asked sweetly.

“If all goes well, I’ll buy you as much ice cream as you want,” I promised.

“Yay! Thanks, Mom!” she squealed.

“It’s scary how quickly she slipped into character,” I whispered to Max.

“She grew up around actors. Not surprising,” Max replied.

“And her real mom?” I asked softly.

“She died giving birth. It’s been just me and Luna ever since,” he said.

“I’m sorry,” I murmured.

“It’s okay,” Max said gently.

We headed inside. The office looked like it had exploded into a party—balloons, flowers, posters, and even a kids’ play area, though only three children were present, including Luna.

Lucy rushed over to me. “Who’s that? Where’d you find that hot guy?”

“That’s my husband, Max. And that’s our daughter, Luna,” I said, nodding toward Luna, who was already playing with the other kids.

“You sneaky little thing,” Lucy grinned.

Later, Luna asked me to give her an office tour. I was more than happy to oblige.

We strolled through the departments until she grew tired and reached her arms up.

“Mooom! Carry me!” she demanded.

I laughed and picked her up.

Then I heard noise from the main hall. Curious, I walked over—and saw a stylish woman in her sixties on stage. She had to be our new boss.

“Oh, no,” Max muttered.

“What’s wrong?” I whispered.

“Nothing. It’s fine,” he said quickly, smiling when he saw Luna in my arms.

Her name was Margaret. She gave a short speech about meeting everyone and their families—though she noted she’d hoped to see more “real” families.

Then she walked straight toward me.

“Max. Didn’t expect to see you here,” she said.

“Yeah, I’m here with my wife, Erin, and our daughter, Luna,” Max replied, putting an arm around me.

“I didn’t know you’d married. Or had a child,” Margaret said.

“You didn’t know much about me, period,” Max replied.

“You made that choice when you walked away from your family,” she shot back.

“My family abandoned me when I refused to follow their plans,” Max said evenly.

Margaret forced a smile. “Well, I’m glad you have a family now. Such a lovely one.” Then she added, “I have a little proposal. My new house isn’t ready yet, and I hate hotels. How about I stay with you for a week? It’ll be a great chance for Erin to prove she’s promotion material.”

Max and I froze. Before he could speak, I jumped in.

“Of course! We’d love to have you.”

“Great. Give me the address. I’ll be there tonight,” she said.

Once she left, Max turned to me. “We didn’t agree to this. How are you going to manage?”

“Who is she?” I asked.

“My grandmother,” he admitted.

“You’re rich?” I blurted.

“My family’s rich. I’m a theater composer. Big difference. But that’s not the point—how do we live together for a whole week?”

“I’ll rent a place,” I said quickly.

“We were supposed to fake this for one day, not move in together,” he protested.

“I’ll pay you more. Name your price.”

He finally agreed.

I got Lucy to cover for me at work while I arranged for a fully furnished rental with a child’s bedroom.

We spent the rest of the day creating fake family photos to decorate.

That night, Margaret’s driver dropped her at “our” home—and the act began.

The week was intense. Sharing a bed with a stranger was odd at first, but I got used to Max and Luna. We made breakfast together, Max greeted me after work, and I read Luna bedtime stories. It started to feel real.

One night, Max played his guitar for me on the porch.

“I haven’t been with anyone since Luna’s mom died,” he said quietly.

“Why tell me now?” I asked.

“Because I think I’m starting to feel something for you. And I think you feel it too.”

“We’re just pretending,” I reminded him.

“We don’t have to pretend anymore,” he whispered before kissing me.

It felt right.

But the next morning, everything crashed.

Margaret confronted me in the kitchen, furious. “You’re fired,” she said coldly.

“For what?” I asked.

“For lying. I overheard you and Max last night. You’re not married, and this house isn’t even yours.”

Max walked in as she accused us of disrespecting family.

“Funny how family didn’t matter when my parents kicked me out and you stayed silent,” Max shot back.

“You just had to be a good son,” she retorted.

“You only care about appearances, not real family,” Max said.

Margaret left in a rage.

I was devastated but told Max I’d be okay.

When Luna came in asking about breakfast, I realized something—no job or promotion mattered more than the bond I’d built with them.

“You’re not leaving, are you?” I asked Max.

“Nope. You’re stuck with us now,” he smiled, kissing me.