The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife novel Chapter 48

48 A Broken Man’s Battle Plan

Liam’s POV 1

I couldn’t remember how I got to the office. The world had blurred into a haze after watching Hazel walk away from me yesterday. Her final words echoed in my mind: “Whatever was between us is broken beyond repair.”

Adrian found me slumped at my desk, staring at nothing, the same suit from yesterday hanging off my frame.

“Jesus, Liam.” His voice cut through my fog. “Have you been here all night?”

I looked up, my eyes burning from lack of sleep. “What time is it?”

“Nine in the morning. You look like hell.” Adrian approached cautiously. “When was the last time you ate something?”

“Doesn’t matter.” My voice sounded hollow even to my own ears.

Adrian sighed, loosening his tie. “That’s it. You’re coming with me.”

“I have meetings—”

“Canceled. All of them.” He grabbed my arm, hauling me to my feet. “I’ve already rescheduled your day. You’re taking a mental health break before you completely

crash.”

I didn’t have the energy to fight him. “Where are we going?”

“My place. Damian’s meeting us there.”

The ride to Adrian’s penthouse passed in silence. My thoughts kept returning to Hazel’s face-the pain in her eyes, the tears streaming down her cheeks. I had done

that to her.

Adrian’s doorman nodded respectfully as we entered the building. The elevator ride was a blur, and before I knew it, I was being led into Adrian’s massive living room.

Damian was already there, mixing drinks at the bar. He took one look at me and whistled. “Man, you look worse than I expected. And I was expecting bad.”

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48 A Broken Man’s Ballle Plan

“Thanks,” I muttered, collapsing onto the leather couch,

Adrian disappeared into the kitchen while Damian approached with a glass of amber liquid.

“Drink this, Doctor’s orders”

I took the whiskey without argument, downing it in one burning gulp.

“Want to talk about it?” Damian asked, sitting across from me.

“What’s there to say? I fucked up” I held out my glass for another pour. “The best thing that ever happened to me, and I destroyed it”

Adrian returned with a plate of food. “Eat something first. Then we’ll figure this out.”

I stared at the sandwich without interest. “There’s nothing to figure out. She hates me.”

“She wouldn’t be this angry if she didn’t care,” Damian pointed out,

“You didn’t see her face.” I picked up the sandwich mechanically, “I broke her trust completely.”

Adrian sat beside me. “Start from the beginning. Tell us everything.”

The food turned to ash in my mouth, but I forced myself to swallow. “I accused her of corporate espionage. Had security escort her out of the building.”

“We know that part, Adrian said patiently. “What we don’t know is why you’re this wrecked over an employee.”

I looked up at my two oldest friends. They deserved the truth.

“She’s not just an employee,” I admitted. “She’s… she’s everything.”

Damian leaned forward. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

“I love her” The words felt foreign on my tongue. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone

since-”

“Since the girl from the ball,” Adrian finished for me. “The one who disappeared.”

I nodded, accepting another drink from Damian.

“When did this start?” Damian asked.

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48 A Broken Man’s Battle Plan

“From the first day.” A ghost of a smile touched my lips. “She stood up to me. Challenged me. Made me feel alive again.”

“And you never told us?” Adrian sounded wounded.

“I didn’t want to admit it to myself.” I ran a hand through my unwashed hair. “She got under my skin. Into my heart.”

“Then you accused her of betraying the company,” Damian summarized.

“Yes.” The shame washed over me anew. “I should have trusted her. Given her the

benefit of the doubt. But I was so scared…”

“Scared of what?” Adrian pressed.

“Of how much she meant to me.” My voice broke. “Of losing her. And instead, I pushed her away with both hands.”

The three of us sat in silence as I struggled to compose myself.

“When I found out she was innocent, I thought I could fix it.” I laughed bitterly. “I was such an idiot. I marched into Cole’s office expecting her to just forgive me once I explained.”

“And she didn’t,” Damian guessed.

“She said there was nothing left to fix.” My throat tightened. “That we’re broken beyond repair.”

Adrian refilled my glass. “Women say things like that when they’re hurt.”

“You didn’t see her eyes, Adrian.” I drained the fresh drink. “She meant it.”

“So what’s your plan?” Damian asked. “Drink yourself into oblivion?”

“Seems like a good start,” I muttered.

Adrian exchanged a glance with Damian. “This isn’t you, Liam. You don’t give up.”

“What else can I do?” I spread my hands helplessly. “She doesn’t want me to wait for

her. Told me to move on.”

“And since when do you take orders from anyone?” Damian challenged. “The Liam Sterling I know fights for what he wants.”

12 10 –

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48 A Broken Man’s Battle Plan

“I don’t deserve her forgiveness,” I admitted.

“Maybe not,” Adrian agreed. “But you can work to earn it.”

I looked up at him. “How? She won’t even speak to me.”

“Since when has that stopped you?” Damian stood up, pacing the room. “You’re the most stubborn, persistent man I know. When you want something, you don’t stop until it’s yours.”

“She’s not a business deal,” I protested.

“No,” Adrian said firmly. “She’s more important. Which means you fight harder.”

Something stirred in my chest-a flicker of hope where moments ago there had been only despair.

“The Liam I know would have a strategy,” Damian continued. “A battle plan.”

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