The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife novel Chapter 114

114 A Groom’s Sentence

My laugh was bitter. “She told me to do it. She thinks it’s the right thing. For the baby.

Adrian approached, taking the whiskey bottle from my hand. “There has to be another way.”

“It was one drunk night,” Damian explained to Adrian. “Before he even met Hazel.”

It was my sentence, and I would serve it. Not for redemption. Not for honor. But for

her.

I looked up

at my friends, letting them see the defeat in my eyes. “I’ve tried everything Every legal angle, every threat, every bribe. Nothing works. Julian Clairemont wants me as his son–in–law, and he’ll destroy anyone who gets in the way.”

Liam’s POV

Noah hesitated before adding, “Hazel… she’s been through enough. Leo was the result of a one–night stand too. She swore off relationships until Liam came along.”

“A baby that might not even be yours,” Damian pointed out.

For the woman I loved enough to lose.

“If you find one, let me know.” I spread my arms wide, gesturing at the night sky. “But unless you can make Julian Clairemont disappear, I’m getting married.”

“I’m getting married,” I announced flatly.

Adrian looked between us, confusion clear on his face. “Can someone fill me in? What exactly has Isabella done?”

The city lights blurred below me as I stood on the edge of my apartment rooftop. Not close enough to fall–just close enough to feel the wind reminding me I was still alive. The whiskey bottle dangled from my fingers, half empty. Or half full. It didn’t matter.

anymore.

“Call it whatever you want.” I drained more whiskey. “If I don’t marry her, Julian will destroy Hazel’s career. Make sure she never works in this city again. They’ll go ter her son. After everything that matters to her.”

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114 A Groom’s Sentence

“The Liam Sterling you know is dead.” I stood up, swaying slightly. “He died the moment he realized the person he loves most will suffer unless he sacrifices himself.

The silence that followed was deafening. Damian cursed under his breath. Owen’s eyes widened in disbelief. Adrian looked completely lost.

“So you’re just giving up?” Damian’s voice rose. “The Liam Sterling I know doesn’t

surrender.”

Heavy footsteps approached. Multiple sets. I finally glanced back to see not just Damian, but Noah, Adrian, and Owen as well. My friends. My brothers. Come to witness my surrender.

“You can’t be serious,” Noah finally said.

“Of course she is,” Owen muttered.

“I’m protecting the woman I love.” The admission hung in the night air. “It’s my fault she’s in this position. My mistake. My drunken stupidity.”

The irony was like acid in my throat. The woman who finally trusted again after being burned–and I was about to become the worst burn of all.

I laughed without humor. “Deadly serious.”

“And?” Noah prompted.

I stared at my hands. “I don’t know. Maybe.”

“Relax. I’m not jumping.” My voice sounded hollow, even to my own ears.

“She had a full meltdown in a public café,” Noah added. “Called Hazel every name in the book, claimed Liam was her baby’s father.”

“They refused everything.” My voice cracked. “The only thing that will make them leave Hazel alone is if I marry Isabella.”

But I knew better. I’d explored every option, considered every angle. There was no from this trap. The wedding would happen. Isabella would become my wife. And Hazel–beautiful, strong, loving Hazel–would move on without me.

escape

The finality of it hit me like a physical blow. “A month. At most.”

Damian’s anger faded as he watched me fall apart. He stepped forward, pulling me into

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114 A Groom’s Sentence

a fierce hug. Owen joined, then Noah and Adrian. Five grown men holding each other on a rooftop while their friend sobbed out his broken heart.

“Not this time.” I walked to the patio furniture, slumping into a chair. “I’ve spent the past week trying to negotiate with Julian and Isabella. Offered them anything they wanted. My shares in Sterling Group. Control of the board. Hell, the entire fucking company.”

My voice broke on the last word. The dam crumbled. Tears I’d been holding back for days finally escaped, streaming down my face. I didn’t try to hide them.

“We can fight this,” Owen insisted. “Get restraining orders, sue for harassment-

The mention of her name twisted the knife deeper. I snatched the bottle back, took another drink.

“Isabella is refusing a paternity test until after the wedding.”

“And what about Hazel?” Noah asked gently. “Have you told her?”

“I don’t have a choice.”

“What the hell is going on?” Adrian stepped forward, concern etched across his face. “Damian called us saying it was an emergency.”

“So this is blackmail,” Adrian concluded.

I took another swig from the bottle before stepping away from the ledge. The burn of alcohol did nothing to numb the pain crushing my chest.

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