The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife

Hazel's POV

My entire day felt like a nightmare. Waves of nausea crashed over me every few hours, and exhaustion weighed down my limbs like lead. When Damian returned from his afternoon meeting at the club, he approached my desk with that familiar commanding presence.

"Hazel, come here," his voice carried across the office space.

"Yes, Irene!" I responded with playful emphasis, unable to resist teasing him despite feeling awful.

His face lit up with genuine amusement. "I actually love when you call me that." He gestured for me to step closer. "I need you to do something for me though. Come smell this."

"What am I, a bloodhound now?" I laughed, though the motion made my stomach lurch slightly.

"Just humor me. I switched to a different cologne after noticing you seemed uncomfortable yesterday. Want to make sure this one works better."

The thoughtfulness behind his gesture touched me deeply. Damian always paid attention to details that mattered to the people around him.

I leaned in and caught the subtle scent. "This one is perfect. Much better."

"Excellent. Can't have my best assistant avoiding me because I smell terrible." His laughter filled the space between us before he disappeared into his private office.

That's when I spotted Owen lingering in the doorway, his sharp eyes taking in everything he'd just witnessed.

"Did I miss something interesting?" Owen's tone suggested he already knew the answer.

"Nothing dramatic. Damian's previous cologne was making me feel sick, so he was considerate enough to change it." I kept my explanation simple and light.

"Look at him, marking his territory like a true alpha. I respect that." Owen's grin was knowing. "But more importantly, how are you holding up, Hazel? We've all been concerned lately."

"Just dealing with work pressure. Nothing I can't handle." The lie rolled off my tongue too easily.

"Is that really all?" His persistent stare made me uncomfortable.

"Absolutely," I insisted, hoping my voice sounded more convincing than I felt.

"Then grab your things. We're taking a little field trip." He extended his arm toward me. "Bring your purse because we're leaving this building right now."

"Where exactly are we heading?" I asked while gathering my belongings.

"Somewhere you can actually relax for once."

We strolled through several blocks, making small talk about weekend plans and office gossip. Eventually, we settled into a cozy corner table at a charming little bakery that smelled like fresh bread and vanilla.

"Beautiful woman, you need to stop insulting my intelligence." Owen's blunt statement caught me completely off guard. "I have five nephews and watched my sisters go through pregnancy five different times. I spoiled them rotten during each one, so I know the signs." His eyes never left mine. "You're carrying Liam's child, aren't you?"

My blood turned to ice in my veins.

"Owen..." I attempted a casual laugh that sounded forced even to my own ears. "What would make you think something like that?"

"Please don't play games with me, Hazel." Owen leaned back in his chair. "You're pale as a ghost, you've dropped weight everywhere except your chest, every smell triggers your gag reflex, you're exhausted constantly, and now cologne sends you running. And yes, I'm a man who loves his wife, but I'm not blind. Your breasts are definitely fuller."

One thought screamed through my mind: I'm completely screwed. Owen's raised eyebrow told me he wasn't buying any denials I might attempt.

"Owen, please promise me you won't say anything to Liam." Tears started flowing before I could stop them.

"Ah, the hormone surge." He signaled the waitress and ordered pineapple mint juice without asking if I wanted it. "I won't breathe a word to Liam or anyone else, but only temporarily. He deserves to hear this news from you directly. Now start talking and tell me everything."

I explained the entire complicated situation, emphasizing how desperately I wanted to keep this secret from Liam until after his wedding.

"Why would you want to hide this from him? He'll be absolutely thrilled!"

"Because I refuse to trap Liam with a pregnancy. That's not how I want him to choose me."

"Do you honestly believe Liam would only stay with you because of a baby?" Owen looked genuinely shocked. "Woman, that man is completely obsessed with you. Wake up and see what's right in front of you. You two aren't together solely because you keep pushing him away. I understand your fears, but Liam would move mountains to protect you, Hazel. I'll keep your secret for now, but if you don't tell him soon, I will."

The tears came harder then, unstoppable and embarrassing. These damn hormones were making everything worse. Owen spent the next hour trying to calm me down while I sobbed like a child.

The remainder of the afternoon crawled by painfully slowly, my head pounding with stress and exhaustion.

By the time I reached home, I felt completely drained. But I'd made plans for Levi to visit after Leo went to bed because we needed to have a serious conversation. He arrived looking devastatingly handsome in his tailored work suit, greeting me with a gentle kiss on the cheek.

"You've had me worried lately, beautiful. You haven't seemed like yourself." Levi settled beside me on the couch, his concern evident.

"I have something important to tell you that's going to change our dynamic." I took a shaky breath and sat down next to him.

"The only thing that could change anything between us is if you decide to go back to Sterling, or better yet, finally agree to be my girlfriend." His optimism was both endearing and heartbreaking.

"Unfortunately, it's neither of those options." My nerves were getting the better of me.

"Then stop worrying and just tell me. Our situation will remain exactly the same, so there's no reason to be anxious." He reached out and played with a strand of my hair, the gesture soothing.

"Levi, do you remember when I told you about what happened between Liam and me?"

"Of course. Did something else happen between you two? If that's what this is about, Hazel, don't even stress about it. You haven't committed to being my girlfriend yet, and while I hate the thought of another man touching you, I'm not giving up on you. Like I've always said, you don't owe me exclusivity yet." His honesty was almost painful in its purity.

"Thank you for understanding, but that's not what I need to tell you." I steeled myself for his reaction.

"Then just say it, Hazel." His voice remained gentle and encouraging.

"Levi, I'm pregnant." I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing for judgment or rejection.

I felt him shift closer before his voice whispered near my ear:

"Look at me, Hazel." When I opened my eyes, he was inches away, smiling softly. "I don't care about any of that." Each word was deliberate and clear. "I want you, I want Leo, and I already want this baby because they're part of you. I'm not running away, and I'm not handing you over to Sterling without a fight. You get to decide whether to tell him and how involved he gets to be, but if you'll let me, I'm more than ready to be this child's father, just like I am with Leo."

"You're serious about this?" I stared at him in disbelief.

"Completely serious," Levi confirmed without hesitation. "You control how this plays out. For now, I'm content that you've agreed to let things develop naturally between us, without pressure or expectations. If you want to continue this way, I'm perfectly fine with that. I have endless patience. But the moment you decide you want me, Hazel, I'll hold onto you forever."

An overwhelming urge to kiss this incredible man washed over me. How could I resist? He was gorgeous and amazing, making me feel lighter and uncomplicated in ways I'd forgotten were possible. I studied his beautiful face, this man who made everything seem manageable, and decided to take a chance. Why shouldn't I? My heart was shattered anyway, and he knew that. Maybe Levi could help put the pieces back together.

I stood up and positioned myself sideways across his lap, legs curled on the couch cushion, wrapped my arm around his neck, and pulled him into a deep kiss. When we finally broke apart, I traced the line of his jaw with my fingertips.

"So let's keep letting things flow naturally."