The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife novel Chapter 95

95 A Father’s Promise

95 A Father’s Promise

Hazel’s POV 1

“I need wine,” I declared as Chloe pulled into my parents’ driveway. “A whole bottle after that disaster of a shopping trip.”,

“Already texted your mom to chill the rosé,” Chloe replied, checking her lipstick in the

rearview mirror.

Leo had fallen asleep in his car seat, his little face peaceful despite our tense

encounter with Ethan at the grocery store. I gently unbuckled him, lifting his warm body against my chest.

“You handled that jerk like a boss,” Chloe whispered, grabbing our shopping bags.

“I still feel shaky,” I admitted. “Seeing him brought everything back.”

The front door of my childhood home swung open, and I froze mid-step. Liam stood in the doorway, looking devastatingly handsome in jeans and a navy button-down shirt. Noah peeked around his legs, waving excitedly.

“Surprise!” Noah called out.

“What the hell?” I gasped.

Leo stirred in my arms, rubbing his eyes. When he spotted Liam, he instantly came

alive.

“LIAM!” he squealed, nearly launching himself out of my arms.

Liam strode toward us, his violet-blue eyes locked on mine. “I know you asked for space, but Leo left Mr. Whiskers at my place,” he said, pulling a stuffed cat from behind

his back.

“You drove three hours to return a toy?” I asked, my voice caught between annoyance and something dangerously close to happiness.

Leo wiggled until I set him down. He crashed into Liam’s legs, hugging them tight. “You came!”

Liam scooped him up, his large hand cradling Leo’s small head protectively. “Of course

95 A Father’s Promise

I did, buddy. I missed you.”

“I missed you too! All the butterflies!” Leo exclaimed.

Chloe sidled up beside me. “Well, well, someone’s persistent.”

“Someone’s impossible,” I corrected, but my lips betrayed me with a smile.

Noah bounded over to Leo. “I brought my dinosaurs! Want to play?”

Leo nodded enthusiastically, and Liam set him down. The boys raced into the house, their excited chatter fading inside.

I crossed my arms. “Liam, I specifically asked for-”

“Time. I know.” He stepped closer, his scent washing over me. “But three days felt like

an eternity.”

“It’s been exactly twenty-six hours,” I pointed out.

His lips quirked up. “Like I said, an eternity.”

Chloe cleared her throat dramatically. “I’ll just take these bags inside and leave you two

alone.”

Once she disappeared into the house, I jabbed a finger at Liam’s chest. “You can’t just show up here. That’s not how this works.”

“How does it work then, Hazel?” His voice dropped lower. “Tell me how to stop thinking about you every minute. How to fall asleep without you beside me.”

“That’s not fair,” I whispered.

“Fair went out the window the moment I met you,” he replied, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “The moment you walked into my office and turned my world upside

down.”

The front door opened again, and my father appeared. “Hazel, are you going to keep your guests standing outside all day? Your mother’s putting out snacks.”

I sighed in defeat. “We’ll be right in, Dad.”

“Take your time,” he said with a knowing smile that made my cheeks burn. “Liam and I have been having quite the conversation.”

My father disappeared back inside, and I turned to Liam with wide eyes. “What exactly have you been telling my parents?”

Liam’s smile was maddeningly confident. “Just the truth. That I’m in love with their daughter and plan to marry her someday.”

“You what?”

“Also that Noah adores Leo, and I’d do anything to make you both happy.”

“You’ve been here how long?” I spluttered.

“About two hours,” he admitted. “Your mother makes excellent coffee cake.”

I groaned, pressing my palms against my eyes. “This is a nightmare.”

“Is it?” Liam gently pulled my hands away. “Because your mother hugged me three times, and your father showed me his woodworking shop.”

“They’re traitors,” I muttered.

“They’re wonderful,” he corrected. “They love you, and apparently, they don’t hate me.”

I tried to summon anger, but it slipped away like water through my fingers. “You’re supposed to be giving me space to think.”

“Think about what? Whether I love you enough?” His eyes darkened. “Because I do, Hazel. More than I thought possible.”

Before I could respond, Leo came barreling back outside. “Mama! Liam! Gamma says

food time!”

“We’ll be right there, sweetheart,” I called.

Leo grabbed Liam’s hand, tugging insistently. “Come on!”

“Your son has spoken,” Liam said with a triumphant smile. “And I never disobey Leo.”

“Convenient,” I grumbled, following them inside.

The kitchen was buzzing with activity. Noah and Leo sat at the counter, munching on apple slices. My mother fussed over a cheese platter, while my father and Chloe discussed local wines. It looked so normal, so natural-as if Liam and Noah had always been part of our family gatherings.

“There she is,” my mother said warmly. “Hazel, honey, Liam was just telling us about his company’s expansion plans. So impressive!”

“I’m sure,” I said dryly, accepting the glass of wine Chloe passed me.

My father cleared his throat. “You know, Liam, I keep looking at you and seeing something familiar.”

My heart skipped a beat.

“Is that so, Arthur?” Liam asked politely.

Dad nodded, his eyes moving between Liam and Leo. “It’s the strangest thing. When you smile, you look just like…”

“Dad,” I interrupted quickly. “Did you tell Liam about your new workshop project?”

But my father wasn’t deterred. “You look just like Leo when you smile. Same dimple on the right side. Same expression in the eyes.”

The kitchen fell silent. Chloe froze with her wine glass halfway to her lips.

“I’ve noticed that too,” my mother added innocently. “It’s remarkable.”

I forced a laugh that sounded brittle even to my own ears. “That’s silly. Liam isn’t Leo’s father.”

“No,” Liam said, his voice steady and clear. “But I’m going to be.”

Five pairs of eyes snapped to him.

“What?” I whispered.

Liam set down his glass and moved to stand beside Leo, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. “I’ve already spoken with my lawyers. As soon as Hazel says yes, I’m filing adoption papers. I want to legally be Leo’s father in every way that matters.”

Tears sprang to my mother’s eyes. My father nodded slowly, approval etched on his face.

“Really?” Leo looked up at Liam with wonder. “You’ll be my daddy?”

Liam knelt to meet Leo’s eyes. “If that’s what you want, buddy. I love you very much.” “Yes!” Leo threw his arms around Liam’s neck. “I want you to be my daddy!”

Noah jumped up from his seat. “Does that make me and Leo brothers?”

“Kind of,” Liam smiled, his eyes meeting mine over Leo’s head. “If your Aunt Hazel will

have us.”

My heart felt too big for my chest, emotions tangling and swelling until I could barely breathe. This man, who had crashed into my carefully constructed life, was now promising forever-not just to me, but to my son.

“This calls for champagne,” my father announced, heading for the wine fridge. “We need to celebrate properly.”

“Dad, I haven’t said yes to anything yet,” I protested weakly.

Chloe snorted. “Please. Your face says everything.”

Dinner was a lively affair, with Leo and Noah dominating the conversation with tales of their adventures together. Liam sat beside me, his thigh pressed against mine, his hand occasionally finding my knee under the table.

As dessert was served, Liam leaned close to whisper in my ear. “I’m picking you and Leo up tomorrow morning. We’re going to the lake house for the weekend.”

“Are we?” I arched an eyebrow.

He nodded, his eyes serious. “We need to talk, Hazel. Really talk. About everything.”

Something in his tone made my pulse quicken. “Everything?”

“Everything,” he confirmed. “No more secrets between us.”

I swallowed hard, wondering what he meant. “Okay.”

His smile was soft and private, just for me. “And then maybe we can discuss those adoption papers.”

As Leo’s laughter filled the room, mingling with Noah’s excited chatter and my parents’ warm conversation, I realized something profound. The family I’d been protecting so fiercely was growing, expanding to include this man who refused to give up on us-no matter how hard I pushed him away.