The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife novel Chapter 102

102 A Father’s Promise and a Mother’s Secret

Hazel’s POV

The early morning sunlight streamed through my bedroom curtains. I woke to find Liam already dressed, sitting on the edge of my bed watching me with those mesmerizing violet-blue eyes.

“Morning, beautiful.” His deep voice sent shivers down my spine.

I pulled the sheet higher, suddenly self-conscious. “How long have you been awake?”

“Long enough to appreciate how peaceful you look when you sleep.” He reached out to brush a strand of hair from my face. “Get dressed. I’m taking you and Leo to daycare

today!”

I sat up, clutching the sheet. “That’s not necessary-”

“It wasn’t a request, Hazel.” His tone was gentle but firm. “I want to be part of your morning routine.”

Before I could argue, Leo’s excited voice called from the hallway. “Mommy, I’m

hungry!”

My son appeared in the doorway, his stuffed dinosaur tucked under one arm. His eyes lit up when he spotted Liam.

“Daddy! You’re still here!”

My heart clenched at how naturally Leo had accepted Liam as his father. It had been less than twenty-four hours since he’d first used the word.

“Sure am, buddy.” Liam scooped Leo up, tossing him in the air and making him giggle. “How about pancakes while Mommy gets ready?”

Leo nodded enthusiastically, and they disappeared toward the kitchen, leaving me to get dressed with a strange mix of worry and warmth in my chest.

By the time I emerged, Leo was happily devouring dinosaur-shaped pancakes while Liam sipped coffee, looking far too comfortable in my small kitchen.

“These are awesome!” Leo declared, syrup dripping down his chin.

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102 A Father’s Promise and a Mother’s Secret

I grabbed a napkin to wipe his face. “Slow down, baby. The dinosaurs aren’t going anywhere.”

“Better hurry,” Liam said, checking his expensive watch. “We’ve got places to be.”

Thirty minutes later, we were walking into Leo’s daycare, my son proudly holding Liam’s hand. I couldn’t help noticing how several mothers turned to stare at the

handsome man beside me.

Miss Penny, Leo’s teacher, greeted us with a warm smile. “Good morning, Leo! And who do we have here today?”

Before I could introduce him, Leo piped up. “This is my daddy!”

I froze, waiting for Liam to correct him, to explain the complicated truth. Instead, Liam knelt to Leo’s level, straightening the collar of his little shirt.

“Have a great day, champ. I’ll see you later.”

Miss Penny beamed at them. “I should have guessed! He has your eyes, absolutely

identical. It’s remarkable!”

Liam didn’t correct her. Instead, he stood taller, pride evident in his posture. “Thank you. I think he got the best parts of both of us.”

After dropping Leo off, we walked back to Liam’s sleek black car in silence. Once inside, I couldn’t hold back anymore.

“You didn’t correct her.”

Liam started the engine. “Why would I? I am his father.”

“It’s not that simple.” I stared out the window as we pulled away from the curb.

“It can be.” His hand found mine across the console. “I meant what I said last night, Hazel. I want to be in both your lives permanently.”

The car slowed at a red light, and Liam turned to face me fully. “Leo needs a father. And I want him to have my name.”

My breath caught. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying I want to adopt him legally. Make him a Sterling.”

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The light turned green, and we moved forward again. I struggled to find words.

“You hardly know him, Liam. It’s been weeks, not years.”

His grip tightened on the steering wheel. “He’s my son in every way that matters. I’ve missed too much already.”

After a moment of tense silence, he asked the question I’d been dreading. “Tell me about his biological father.”

My stomach knotted. How could I tell him that he was the biological father without sounding like I’d deliberately kept this information from him?

“There’s not much to tell,” I said carefully. “It was… a one-night stand.”

Liam’s jaw tightened. “And he just disappeared?”

I nodded, heat rising to my cheeks. “I didn’t even know his real name.”

“Did you try to find him?”

“No.” The lie tasted bitter. “It was clear he wasn’t interested in anything more than one

night.”

Liam was quiet for so long I thought he might be angry. When he finally spoke, his voice was surprisingly gentle.

“His loss is my gain. Leo has me now. And I promise you, Hazel, I’m not going anywhere!”

We pulled up in front of the Hudson Media building. Liam leaned over to kiss me goodbye, his lips lingering on mine.

“Have a good day,” he murmured against my mouth. “I’ll pick you both up tonight.”

I walked into the office in a daze, my mind racing with unspoken truths and complications. By midmorning, a delivery man arrived with the biggest bouquet of tulips I’d ever seen.

Maya and Scarlett, my new colleagues, gathered around my desk to admire them.

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