The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife

Liam's POV

After the medical team departed, I gathered Hazel into my arms, pressing my lips to our son's forehead as he rested against her chest. Relief flooded through me as I held them both, my heart finally settling after days of torment. Never again would I allow them to slip from my grasp.

"My beautiful angel, you cannot fathom the agony I endured these past forty-eight hours. Knowing my entire world was trapped in the clutches of those deranged monsters nearly destroyed me completely. The terror consumed every fiber of my being, eating me alive with the possibility of losing everything that matters," I whispered against her hair, intertwining our fingers as we found ourselves alone at last.

"I descended into madness the moment we realized they had stolen our precious boy," Hazel's voice trembled, tears threatening to spill from her luminous eyes.

I brushed my lips across her forehead before carefully lifting our son into my arms, guiding Hazel to settle beside me on the plush sofa. We remained there as a complete family unit, basking in the overwhelming love that radiated between us like electricity. Sleep gradually claimed our little one, his soft breathing creating a gentle rhythm against my chest while his tiny fingers splayed across my shirt with absolute trust and security. The warmth of my beloved woman pressed against my side, her head finding its perfect place on my shoulder, created an intimate cocoon of perfection that set my soul ablaze with fierce joy and belonging.

Having a family had been nothing but a distant memory since my parents perished. How desperately I had yearned for this solid foundation, someone who embraced every facet of my being without reservation, who would stand by my side through any storm while loving me unconditionally. Gratitude and happiness swelled within me as we existed as one united force.

"My darling angel, I need to make you my wife immediately. We should capitalize on your parents being here in the city. If you desire anyone else from your hometown to witness our union, I will arrange their transportation without delay," I murmured, placing another tender kiss atop her silken hair.

"What exactly are you suggesting? Marriage this week? Because I seriously doubt my father has any intention of extending his stay beyond that timeframe," Hazel responded with playful skepticism, though my expression remained completely serious.

"I want to marry you today. Tomorrow represents the absolute latest I can tolerate." Her eyes widened dramatically at my declaration, shock painting her beautiful features.

"You must be joking."

"Absolutely not," I stated with unwavering conviction. "You expressed your desire for a garden ceremony at our home. I possess the resources to orchestrate everything according to your exact specifications. However, I refuse to wait any longer."

"Why such urgency, Liam? This sudden intensity seems extreme, especially since I have already moved into your penthouse," Hazel studied my face as though searching for hidden motives. I drew a deep breath before revealing the depths of my heart.

"I want to marry you because you represent the very essence of love in my existence. You breathe life into my soul, providing purpose where none existed before. My life without your presence was merely hollow survival, devoid of meaning or direction. You gave me someone to anticipate coming home to each evening, someone to shield from harm, to cherish and love without conditions or limitations. You make me feel valued and adored beyond measure. You exceed every dream I dared imagine, surpass what I believed I deserved, transcend every hope I harbored. I want to pledge my devotion, love, companionship, partnership and unwavering loyalty before our loved ones, and I honor my commitments completely, Hazel. I desire what my parents shared, what your parents continue to demonstrate. We are already bound by love, by our children, by our shared home, but I need to unite with you in every conceivable way, including before humanity and before God himself. My certainty is absolute, Hazel, and waiting is no longer an option."

Upon finishing my declaration, Hazel wept openly while wearing the most radiant smile I had ever witnessed. My desperate need for her response intensified as she remained silent, simply beaming through her tears. Anxiety clawed at my composure until I could no longer contain myself.

"Will you not respond? Please, I am begging you." Hazel silenced my plea by capturing my lips with hers.

"What other response could there be? Liam, from the instant you entered my world, I fell completely. My love began before we truly began, from that very first moment. When I glimpsed those incredible blue eyes with hints of violet beneath your mask at the masquerade, not even knowing your identity, you shattered my entire universe. Then, when I believed my life would never experience such earth-shattering emotion again, our eyes met once more, and choice became irrelevant. You invaded my heart, becoming an absolute certainty within my soul. How could I not love you completely? Because I only feel truly alive when I am beside you. I discovered myself through you. Never have I felt so whole, so protected, so deeply cherished. We have weathered incredible storms in such a brief time, yet we found our path and remained together. So yes, Liam, I also want to unite with you in every possible way."

Hazel's words drew tears of pure joy from my eyes, leaving me in a state of euphoria so intense that only our sleeping son prevented me from leaping up and shouting my triumph to the world. I pulled her into a kiss that contained every ounce of love residing in my heart, needing her to feel the wild beating of my pulse, the absolute certainty of my devotion flowing through that connection. When we separated, I remained suspended above her lips, eyes closed, completely intoxicated by her breath.

"However," Hazel began as she nestled her head against my shoulder once more.

"Must there be complications, my angel? Can you not simply accept and remain blissfully happy beside me forever?" I asked, hearing her soft laughter.

"However, I want our wedding Saturday afternoon in our garden," she announced, sending my heart racing wildly again. "I need time to organize every detail and select the perfect wedding dress."

"Agreed," I sighed with mock resignation. "I suppose I can endure waiting until Saturday. Today is already Wednesday."

We remained in our perfect bubble until knocking interrupted our peace. Hazel rose to answer the door, careful not to disturb Leo. She pressed her finger to her lips, requesting silence from our friends as they filled our living room.