The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife novel Chapter 4
Chapter 4: The Scent of a New Life
“You’re really going to do this?” Aiden Dalton, my boss at the small accounting firm where I’d worked throughout college, leaned against the doorway to his office.
I looked up from the files I was organizing. “Do what?”
“Move across the country for a job you interviewed for over video chat.” He crossed his arms, his face a mix of concern and pride.
“It’s not just any job, Aiden. It’s at Sterling Group.” I couldn’t keep the excitement from my voice. “The salary alone will change everything for Leo and me.”
Aiden nodded, his expression softening. “You deserve it, Hazel. You’ve worked harder than anyone I know, balancing school, this job, and being a single mom.”
I felt tears threatening. The past two years had been the hardest of my life. Between raising Leo, finishing my degree, and working part-time, I’d barely had time to breathe.
“Thanks for understanding,” I said, swallowing the lump in my throat.
“Oscar Dalton doesn’t pull strings for just anyone, you know,” Aiden remarked. “Chloe’s dad must think highly of you.”
I smiled, thinking of my best friend’s father. “I still can’t believe he mentioned me to his connections at Sterling.”
“Well, believe it,” Aiden said. “Oscar said they need someone exceptional, and you’re the most exceptional person I know.”
Back at my apartment that evening, I packed while Leo napped. My tiny two-bedroom could barely contain the boxes scattered across the floor.
The doorbell rang, and I opened it to find Chloe balancing a pizza box and a bottle of wine.
“Thought you could use dinner,” she announced, sweeping past me into the apartment.
“You’re a lifesaver,” I groaned, taking the pizza. “I haven’t even thought about food.”
Chloe grabbed two glasses from my kitchen. “How’s the packing going?”
“Slowly,” I admitted, gesturing to the chaos. “I keep getting distracted by old photos and random memories.”
“Well, that’s what the wine is for,” she said, pouring us each a glass. “To drown the nostalgia.”
I laughed, accepting the drink. “To new beginnings.”
“And to Haven Harbor,” Chloe added with a sly smile.
I narrowed my eyes. “What aren’t you telling me?”
Chloe bit her lip, her excitement bubbling over. “Noah and I are coming with you!”
“What?” I nearly spilled my wine. “Are you serious?”
“Dead serious,” she nodded enthusiastically. “Noah got a job at Haven Harbor Memorial Hospital, and I’ve already lined up some photography gigs there.”
I launched myself at her, hugging her fiercely. “I can’t believe you kept this from me!”
“I wanted it to be a surprise,” she laughed, hugging me back. “Did you really think I’d let my godson move across the country without me?”
“This changes everything,” I said, wiping away happy tears. “Leo will have his godmother nearby.”
“And you’ll have someone to watch him when you’re working late for your fancy new boss,” she added.
Later that night, after Chloe left and Leo was tucked in bed, I called my parents to share the news about Chloe and Noah.
“That’s wonderful, honey,” my mother said. “It’ll be so much easier having friends there.”
“I know,” I agreed. “I’m still nervous, though.”
“You’ve overcome so much already,” my father’s voice came through the speaker. “This job is exactly what you’ve been working toward.”
“Your father’s right,” my mother added. “We’re so proud of you, Hazel.”
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