The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife novel Chapter 137

137 An Unwelcome Encounter After an Unexpected Test

137 An Unwelcome Encounter After an Unexpected Test

Chloe’s eyes widened. “Two months ago? Wasn’t that when you and Liam…?”

“Yes. He seemed quite intent on establishing paternity for a child. I assumed it was related to his son.”

Chloe hovered nearby, her face pinched with worry. “You need to tell Liam.”

I sighed. “Let’s not talk about Liam today. Or Isabella.”

Isabella tugged his arm. “Liam, we have an appointment.”

“What are you doing here?” he demanded, stepping toward me.

Leo. He must be talking about Leo. But why now?

Outside in the hallway, Chloe grabbed my arm. “Hazel, you have to tell him. This changes everything.”

The genuine concern in his voice nearly broke me. How could I tell him the truth? That

I was carrying his child while he prepared to marry another woman?

Liam’s jaw tightened, his gaze still locked on me. “Wait for me inside, Isabella.”

The room tilted, and darkness crept into the edges of my vision. I heard Chloe’s alarmed voice as if from underwater, then nothing.

“Whatever it shows, we’ll handle it,” Chloe said, squeezing my shoulder.

He nodded solemnly. “Of course. Though I must say, it’s interesting timing. Mr. Sterling was just in yesterday asking about DNA testing procedures.”

“But if he’s questioning paternity-”

My coffee cup hit the counter with a clatter. “What? No, that can’t be right.”

I opened my mouth, but no words came. How could I drop this bomb in a hospital hallway?

We rounded the corner toward the exit, and I stopped dead in my tracks.

“Just a vasovagal syncope,” Dr. Evans explained. “A common reaction to shock or

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stress.”

137 An Unwelcome Encounter After an Unexpected Test

Thirty minutes later, I sat on the edge of my bathtub, staring at the pregnancy test in my trembling hands.

“Dr. Evans is ready for you now, Mr. Sterling,” a nurse called from a doorway.

Before I could answer, Isabella stepped forward, her blue eyes cold as she assessed me. “Liam, we’re going to be late for our paternity test.”

“According to your chart, it was a one–year implant inserted last January. It expired in January of this year.”

When I came to, I was lying on the examination table, a cool cloth on my forehead.

Liam looked up, his rare violet–blue eyes locking with mine. Shock flashed across his face, followed by confusion as he took in our location–the gynecology wing of the hospital.

“What are you going to do?” Chloe whispered.

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But Liam ignored her, his eyes never leaving mine. “Are you ill? Is it Leo?”

“I need to see a doctor,” I said, my voice eerily calm despite the storm raging inside me.

“To confirm.”

“In the gynecology department? On a Saturday?”

“Then he can sort that out with Isabella. I’m not getting involved.”

There, not ten feet away, stood Liam Sterling in an impeccable gray suit, his expression thunderous as he argued quietly with the receptionist. Beside him, clutching his arm with manicured fingers, was the perfect blonde I recognized as his fiancée.

“Everything’s fine,” I managed, voice steady despite my racing heart. “Routine checkup.”

Chloe was already dialing. “I’m calling Dr. Evans. He’ll see you today. I’ll make sure of

it.”

I squared my shoulders, decision made. “I’m going home. I can’t be here when he

comes out.”

“My birth control,” I whispered. “It expired. Two months ago.”

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137 An Unwelcome Encounter After an Unexpected Test

Isabella stalked away, throwing a venomous glance over her shoulder.

“Ms. Vance?” a woman’s voice asked. “This is Sarah from Dr. Evans‘ gynecology office.”

I froze, panic clutching my throat. Isabella turned, her beautiful face contorting into a frown as she recognized me.

I watched him disappear through the door, my hand instinctively moving to rest on my still–flat stomach. Inside me grew a secret that would change everything–a tiny life created from one passionate weekend with a man who was about to marry someone else.

“But if the baby she’s carrying isn’t his-”

“Ms. Vance? Are you still there?”

Hazel’s POV

Liam didn’t move, his gaze fixed on me with such intensity I felt it like a physical touch.

The shrill ring of my phone interrupted my thoughts. I didn’t recognize the number.

I ended the call and gripped the counter, trying to steady myself. Chloe appeared in the doorway, concern etched on her face.

Liam took another step toward me. “What’s going on, Hazel? The truth.”

The room spun around me. Two months ago… right around the time Liam and I…

“Yes,” I choked out. “Thank you for letting me know.”

“It doesn’t matter,” I cut her off. “I can’t disrupt his life again.” I turned to Dr. Evans. “This stays confidential, right?”

The blood test confirmed what the home test had already told me. I was pregnant with Liam Sterling’s child. Again.

“You’re approximately eight weeks along,” Dr. Evans said, studying my chart. “Everything looks healthy so far.”

“Thank you, Doctor,” I said, sliding off the table. “We should go.”

“No,” I said immediately. “He’s marrying Isabella. Their wedding is next week.”

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137 An Unwelcome Encounter After an Unexpected Test

“Hazel?” His deep voice carried down the hallway.

“It changes nothing,” I insisted. “He made his choice when he got engaged to Isabella.”

“Yes?” I walked to the kitchen for privacy.

“Now.” His tone left no room for argument.

I nodded, panic rising in my chest. “The weekend at his lake house.”

The words hit me like a slap. Paternity test. The baby she carried really might not be

his.

“Holy shit,” Chloe breathed. “Have you had your period since then?”

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