The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife novel Chapter 40

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40 A Friend in the Darkness

40 A Friend in the Darkness

Hazel’s POV

I woke up feeling like I’d been hit by a truck. My eyes were swollen, my head pounding, and my pillow damp with tears. The memories of yesterday crashed into me like waves against rocks-Liam’s accusations, his cold eyes, the complete lack of trust.

“You’re finally awake.”

I jerked upright to find Chloe sitting in the armchair beside my bed, her face tight with concern. She wore yoga pants and an oversized sweater, her blonde hair pulled back in a messy bun. She looked like she’d been there for hours.

“How did you get in?” My voice came out raspy from crying.

“I have your spare key, remember?” She moved to sit beside me on the bed. “Clara has Leo. She’ll keep him overnight if needed.”

Fresh tears welled up. “Thank you.”

“What happened, Hazel? I got your text saying you were going to Liam’s, then nothing. I called eight times.” She reached for my hand. “I was worried sick.”

The dam broke. “He fired me, Chloe. He accused me of selling company secrets.”

“He what?” Her eyes widened in disbelief.

“There were emails from my account to Blackwood Industries. Confidential data.” I clutched my stomach, feeling sick just talking about it. “And worse-someone sent him private photos of us with a message making it look like I’d been using him the whole

time.”

Chloe’s face flushed with anger. “That’s insane! You would never-‘

“He didn’t even give me a chance to explain.” My voice cracked. “He just…threw me away like I was nothing”

“Oh, honey.” She pulled me into a tight hug.

I sobbed against her shoulder, letting out all the pain I’d been holding in. She stroked / my hair, murmuring comforting words until I could breathe again.

12.06

175

“Come on,” she said, helping me stand. “You need to eat something”

She led me to the kitchen and sat me at the counter. While she rummaged through my refrigerator, I stared blankly at the wall, feeling hollow.

“I’ve got nothing fancy here.” Chloe placed a tub of chocolate ice cream and two spoons on the counter. “But this will help for now.”

I managed a weak smile. “Ice cream for dinner?”

“Doctor’s orders.” She handed me a spoon. “Now tell me everything. Don’t leave anything out.”

7 21

Between bites of ice cream, I recounted the entire horrible scene-Liam’s fury, Damian’s coldness, the damning evidence they’d shown me.

“Someone set me up, Chloe. They had to have hacked my account.”

“Of course they did!” Chloe stabbed her spoon into the ice cream with unnecessary force. “And that arrogant bastard didn’t even consider that possibility? After everything you two have been through?”

I shook my head miserably. “He was so certain. You should have seen his eyes-like I was nothing but dirt to him.”

“That son of a bitch!” Chloe slammed her hand on the counter. “Who does he think he is? God’s gift to the corporate world? Too important to listen to the woman who’s been warming his bed?”

“Chloe-”

“No, Hazel! I’m furious! How dare he treat you like this?” Her eyes flashed dangerously. “You gave that man everything-your heart, your trust. Hell, you were even starting to let him into Leo’s life! And this is how he repays you?”

Fresh tears spilled down my cheeks. “I thought he cared about me.”

“If he can believe you’d betray him so easily, he doesn’t deserve you.” Chloe reached across the counter to squeeze my hand. “You are the most loyal person I know.”

“It doesn’t matter now.” I pushed the ice cream away, my appetite gone. “My career is over. Liam said he’d make sure no company would touch me after this.”

12.00

2/5

“He threatened you?” Chloe’s voice rose an octave.

I nodded. “He has that kind of power, Chloe. I should just go back to my parents-”

“Absolutely not!” She stood up, eyes blazing. “You are not running home with your tail between your legs when you’ve done nothing wrong!”

“What choice do I have? I need to work. I have Leo to think about.”

“You’re not going anywhere,” Chloe declared, pacing the kitchen. “We’re going to fight this. We’ll figure out who framed you.”

I laughed bitterly. “How? I have no access to Sterling Group systems anymore. No proof.”

“Then we’ll find another way.” She stopped pacing and fixed me with a determined stare. “This is your comeback story, Hazel. The part where the heroine gets knocked down but refuses to stay down.”

“I don’t feel very heroic right now.” I rubbed my temples, trying to ease the throbbing. “I feel broken.”

Chloe’s expression softened. She came around the counter and wrapped her arms

around me.

“You’re allowed to be broken tonight,” she whispered. “But tomorrow, we start fighting

back.”

“I don’t know if I have the strength.”

“Then I’ll be strong for both of us.” She pulled back to look me in the eyes. “The truth will come out, Hazel. Whoever did this will slip up. And when they do, Liam Sterling

will realize what a massive mistake he made.”

“Even if that happens, I could never forgive him.” The words tasted bitter but true. “He

should have trusted me.”

“One battle at a time.” Chloe guided me to the couch. “First, we clear your name. Then you can tell that violet-eyed jerk exactly where he can shove his apology.”

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