The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife

Hazel's POV

When I reached the executive floor, Stella practically launched herself from her chair and dragged me toward the restroom.

"Spill everything right now! How did it go?"

"It went well, Stella, really well. But you'll have to wait until tonight when we're all together. I'm not telling this story multiple times."

"You're seriously going to torture us with curiosity until then?" Stella's face scrunched into a pout. "But heads up, Liam found out about your lunch with Levi."

My stomach dropped. "How could he possibly know?"

"Caleb told him."

"That traitor..."

"I heard Caleb telling Damian that maybe it's better if you move forward. He said Liam doesn't want to see you hurt anymore, and Levi's a good man. But Hazel, Liam looked completely broken."

The familiar ache twisted in my chest. "I know he is, Stella, but I can't keep drowning in this situation. I have a son depending on me. Levi understands we're just friends. He knows exactly where I stand emotionally. Liam's getting married soon, and I refuse to be anyone's mistress."

"You're absolutely right. We should get back to work before people start talking."

At my desk, I pulled out my phone to find it buzzing with notifications. The girls had bombarded our group chat with messages about my lunch date, complete with ridiculous emojis and animated stickers. I quickly typed that I'd give them all the details tonight.

My parents had sent their usual check-in message. I still hadn't found the strength to tell them about the mess my life had become. That conversation would have to wait until my next visit home.

Miranda had sent the most adorable photo of Leo completely covered in vanilla ice cream, his tiny hands raised in victory with the biggest grin on his chocolate-smeared face. Her message explained that the heat had been unbearable, but Leo had been such an angel during lunch that he earned the special treat. I couldn't help but smile. My son would eat anything I put in front of him, but ice cream and sweets were his weakness.

Then there was Levi's message, which made my smile feel different somehow.

"I can't stop thinking about our time together, and now I'm sitting here grinning like an idiot. I have mountains of work piling up, but all I can focus on is you. Don't be surprised when my next invitation comes very soon. I need to see you again."

My fingers moved quickly across the screen:

"I had an amazing time too. I'm already looking forward to whatever you have planned next. You definitely know how to make a woman feel special."

His response came immediately, a cartoon kitten face-down on a pillow surrounded by floating hearts with the caption "completely smitten!" I tucked my phone away, feeling lighter than I had in weeks. Levi had this incredible ability to brighten even my darkest days.

After work ended, Damian's driver took Stella and me home. The moment I stepped through my front door, four sets of expectant eyes locked onto me.

"Finally! Hazel, we need every single detail right now!" Chloe practically shouted.

"Hold on, I need to see my little prince first." Miranda appeared carrying Leo, who immediately reached his arms toward me the second he spotted me.

"Well, ladies, since you're all settled and this little one is fresh from his bath, I'll head out." Miranda transferred Leo into my arms, kissed his forehead, then mine, grabbed her purse, and escaped before the interrogation could begin.

The girls were practically vibrating with curiosity, but I refused to say anything until Leo was safely tucked into bed. I kept changing the subject, steering our conversation toward safer topics. Only after I'd read Leo his bedtime story and he was sound asleep did I return to face the firing squad in my living room.

"Enough stalling, Hazel! My brother won't tell us anything either!" Scarlett threw herself dramatically across the couch.

"You actually called Levi?" Their nosiness never ceased to amaze me.

"Obviously! When you wouldn't talk, I went straight to the source. But all he'd say was that it was the best lunch he's ever had." Scarlett's eyes sparkled with mischief.

"So did that gorgeous man kiss you or not?" Thea blurted out, making everyone lean forward.

"Yes, he did..." I admitted, watching them erupt into silent cheers and applause, careful not to wake Leo.

We talked until nearly midnight, and I found myself sharing every moment from lunch to Levi's sweet messages afterward. For the first time in what felt like forever, I climbed into bed without tears on my cheeks. Maybe moving forward wasn't as impossible as I'd thought.