The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife novel Chapter 147

147 Reconciliation and a Mysterious Panic

147 Reconciliation and a Mysterious Panic

I reached up, threading my fingers through his hair, and kissed him again. This time slower, deeper, letting everything I felt flow between us.

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I believed him. Despite everything, I trusted the raw vulnerability in his eyes.

The guard nodded, and then they were gone, leaving me standing alone in confused silence. What was happening? Why did they need to protect me?

I shut the door behind me and walked straight up to him. Before he could speak, I grabbed his tie, pulled him down, and kissed him hard. All my conflicted feelings poured into that kiss–anger, hurt, love, and desperate longing.

Owen looked uncomfortable but nodded. “One night. He regretted it immediately. He’s been trying to figure out why she suddenly reappeared.”

Owen glanced toward Liam’s closed office door and lowered his voice. “Victoria Hayes. His college ex–girlfriend. They dated for almost two years.”

His expression instantly changed, brows furrowing as he listened. “When?” he demanded. “Are you certain? I’ll be right there.”

The office suddenly filled with activity as Owen appeared in the doorway, follow

Damian.

My heart pounded against my ribs. “You love me?”

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His lips found mine once more, and I lost myself in the kiss, our bodies pressed together as months of tension melted away. His hands slid down to my hips, lifting me onto his desk as I wrapped my legs around his waist.

“Not good history,” Owen clarified. “She cheated on him multiple times. Their breakup

was nasty.”

“Owen told me about New York,” I said quietly.

“It’s too coincidental,” Owen explained. “Victoria showing up out of nowhere after years, right when we discovered Bianca’s betrayal. He thinks someone put her up to it.”

Relief flooded his face as he lifted me off my feet in a crushing hug. “Thank you. I swear I’ll never give you reason to doubt me again.”

09:28

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147 Reconciliation and a Mysterious Panic

“What’s wrong?” I asked, sliding off his desk and straightening my clothes.

“Sir, we need to move now,” he said, eyes darting to me briefly.

“Is he in there now?” I asked, nodding toward his office.

Liam groaned but reached for his phone. “Sterling,” he answered, voice rough with frustration.

Damian turned to a security guard in the hallway. “Keep eyes on Ms. Vance at all times. No one gets near her without clearance.”

Liam nodded, squeezing my hand. “I’ll explain everything tonight. I promise.”

“I’m working on that,” Liam said, pressing his forehead to mine. “Nothing is more important to me than you. Nothing.”

The shrill ring of his phone pierced our bubble. Liam ignored it, his hands sliding under my blouse.

Liam kissed

my forehead quickly. “Just a precaution. I’ll call you as soon as I can.” Before I could respond, the men were moving toward the elevator. I followed them into the reception area, watching in bewilderment as Liam, Damian, Owen, and Albert huddled together, speaking in urgent tones too low for me to hear.

“I love you too,” I murmured against his lips. “But if we’re going to do this, I need complete honesty.”

“What? Why do I need watching?” I asked, alarm rising.

“It was only two days,” I laughed softly, tilting my head to give him better access.

Hazel’s POV

I bit my lip. “But they were together in New York?”

“More than anything,” he whispered. “The thought of losing you these past two days…” He shook his head, unable to finish.

He hung up, apologetic eyes/meeting mine. “I’m sorry, but I have to go.”

Before I could press for details, his office door burst open. Albert Allen, Liam’s security chief, rushed in looking uncharacteristically frazzled.

09:28

147 Reconciliation and a Mysterious Panic

“So I’m taking you back,” I decided, stroking his stubbled jaw. “But I expect a full explanation later.”

“I missed you,” he whispered against my neck, sending shivers down my spine.

Liam looked up from his desk, dark circles under his eyes. When he saw me, he shot to his feet.

“I needed to do that before you started talking, I explained, my voice steady despite my racing heart.

Owen looked up, relief washing over his face. “Hazel! You’re back. I wasn’t sure if you’d come in today.”

When I finally pulled back, his violet–blue eyes were wide with surprise.

I gave him a small nod and walked to Liam’s door. Without knocking, I pushed it open and stepped inside.

“Just some urgent business I need to handle,” he said vaguely, already buttoning his suit jacket.

I absorbed this information slowly. It hurt to know Liam had been with her, even briefly, but the fact that he was investigating her appearance gave me hope. He wasn’t hiding anything.

“Anything,” he promised, pulling me tighter against him. “I’ll tell you everything.”

My stomach twisted. “So they have history.”

Liam gently cupped my face in his hands. “I am so sorry,” he said, his voice cracking. “That kiss meant nothing. Victoria ambushed me. I pushed her away the moment I realized what was happening.”

“You should get that,” I said reluctantly. “It might be important.”

Pain flashed across his face. “I made a mistake. One night, months ago, before us. Before I knew what we could be.” His thumbs brushed my cheeks. “Hazel, I love you. Only you. I’ve never said those words to anyone else.”

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