The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife novel Chapter 124

124 Trapped Between Jealousy and Longing

“Approved,” I muttered, without even looking at the figures. “We’re done here.

Damian sighed, running a hand over his smooth head. “You’re playing with fire, man.”

Finally, I picked myself up off the floor. I splashed cold water on my face and straightened my tie, the mask of the untouchable CEO sliding back into place like

armor.

Liam’s POV

“There you are!” Damian’s voice boomed down the hallway. “We’ve been looking everywhere for-” He stopped, narrowing his eyes. “You okay, man?”

“I’ll never love anyone the way certainty, that I felt the same.

I love you,” she had said. And I knew, with bone–deep

I felt hollow as I watched Hazel walk away. My heart hammered against my ribs like it wanted to break free and chase after her. The fluorescent lights of the breakroom seemed to dim, matching my darkening mood.

I slid down against the counter until I hit the floor, not caring who might walk in and see the almighty CEO of Sterling Group breaking apart. My phone was still in my hand, and I typed out a message through blurred vision.

“So what are you going to do?”

She deserved to be happy. I knew that. But watching her with someone else was

unbearable.

I ignored it, staring instead at my conversation with Hazel. She hadn’t responded. Of course she hadn’t. What was there to say?

And if he wasn’t? The thought made my chest tighten painfully. If he wasn’t my son, I would still find a way. Because I couldn’t imagine my life without them anymore.

“I’ll deal with that when I have to.” I turned to face him. “But I’m not losing Hazel. I

can’t.”

Inside the restaurant, Levi reached across the table and took Hazel’s hand. She didn’t pull away. I gripped my steering wheel so hard my knuckles turned white.

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124 Trapped Between Jealousy and Longing

1 stopped pacing and stared out the window. “I don’t know.”

Tomorrow, I would call the lab and schedule the DNA test. If Leo was my son, nothing would stop me from claiming him. And Hazel.

“Alright, spill it,” he demanded once the door closed. “What the hell is going on with you?”

“I know.” I checked my watch. “I need to go. There’s something I have to do.”

The team exchanged glances but didn’t argue. They gathered their materials and filed out quickly, clearly relieved to escape my dark mood.

Damian raised his eyebrows. “So? You’re engaged to another woman, remember?”

No matter what it cost me, I would find a way back to her. I had to.

I started the car and pulled away from the curb. I couldn’t watch anymore. Couldn’t torture myself like this. But as I drove through the rain–slicked streets of Haven Harbor, I knew with absolute certainty what I had to do.

Damian’s eyes widened. “And what did she say?”

“Let’s begin,” I said coldly.

I nodded slowly. “I’m doing it. I have to know.”

“And Isabella?”

“Liam.” His hand caught my shoulder. “Seriously. What happened?”

“Then what did you expect? That she’d just wait around while you marry Isabella?” His voice softened. “Look, I know how you feel about her, byt-”

“The DNA test,” Damian said quietly. “Have you

decided?”

The conference room fell silent as I entered. The acquisitions team looked nervous, papers shuffling as they avoided my gaze. Damian slid into his seat beside me, radiating concern.

“Fine,” I snapped, brushing past him.

Without waiting for his response, I headed for the door.

I turned off my phone without replying.

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124 Trapped Between Jealousy and Longing

Two hours later, I sat in my car across the street from Bistro Milano, a trendy Italian restaurant downtown. Through the window, I could see Hazel sitting at a table, wearing a simple navy blue dress that made her skin glow. Her hair was down, cascading in soft waves past her shoulders. She looked beautiful.

My phone vibrated with a text from Isabella: “Where are you? Dinner with my father in an hour.”

“Liam,” Damian called after me. “Don’t do anything stupid.”

“I’ll never love anyone the way I love you.” Her words echoed in my head, beautiful and agonizing all at once.

Back at my penthouse, I ignored the blinking light on my phone indicating missed calls. Instead, I poured myself a glass of scotch and walked to the window, staring out at the city lights.

“I know that!” I slammed my fist on the table. “You think I don’t know that?”

“I told her I postponed the wedding,” I admitted.

“And she has a date tonight.” The words tasted bitter. “With some guy named Levi.”

“And?”

I stood up, pacing the length of the conference room. The city stretched out below us, gleaming and indifferent to my personal crisis.

This is what you wanted, I reminded myself. You pushed her away. You told her to be happy.

But that was a lie. I did know. I just didn’t want to face it

“I just want you to be happy.”

But seeing it happening in front of me was different. It was real. And it was killing me.

I loosened my tie, suddenly feeling like I was suffocating. “I saw Hazel.”

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