The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife

Hazel's POV

After my parents left for Crestwood, I asked Liam if I could visit Noah at the hospital. His jaw tightened with disapproval.

"You need rest, Hazel. The doctor said minimal activity."

"I have the wheelchair," I countered, touching his arm. "I won't strain myself."

Liam's protective instincts warred with his desire to make me happy. Eventually, he relented and drove me to the hospital. Noah looked better than expected, chatting with his mother when we arrived. The visit was brief but lifted my spirits considerably.

On our way out, I seized the opportunity.

"Since we're already out, can we stop at the mall? I still need things for the babies."

Liam's expression darkened. "Hazel, I have meetings this afternoon. I can't accompany you."

"The security team will be with me," I pressed. "And I'm meeting the girls there. Please, love, I'm going insane trapped at home all day with nothing to do." I gave him my most pitiful pout.

He exhaled slowly, running his hand through his hair. "Fine. But stay close to security, don't wander off, and call me every hour."

"You're so demanding when you want to be," I teased, earning a reluctant smile.

At the mall, the girls were already waiting. We headed straight to the baby boutique, where tiny clothes and accessories filled every display. I was examining delicate dresses on a rack near the window when an uncomfortable sensation crawled up my spine. I turned toward the main showcase but saw nothing unusual. Moments later, Lyra and Chloe surrounded me with armfuls of adorable outfits, effectively distracting me from my unease.

After shopping, my pregnancy hunger kicked in with vengeance. The girls settled me at a table in the food court and went to fetch our meals. I watched a young mother nearby, her twin boys giggling over french fries, when something brushed against my hair. The touch sent ice through my veins.

I spun around but saw only a man in a black coat and baseball cap walking away. My heart hammered against my ribs. Everything lately felt threatening, and the constant stress was wearing me down.

When the girls returned with food, I forced myself to eat and act normal. After lunch, Chloe wanted to visit the bookstore to find something for Noah. The store was packed with weekend shoppers.

"I'll wait out here," I told them, gesturing to the ice cream cart positioned conveniently outside. "This crowd is too much."

They disappeared inside while one of my security guards purchased a vanilla cone for me. I was savoring the cold sweetness when my phone buzzed with a text message.

"Enjoy your ice cream while you still can."

Unknown number. My blood turned to ice water.

I scanned the area frantically but saw nothing suspicious among the casual shoppers and families. The girls emerged from the bookstore, laughing about something Lyra had found, when my phone rang.

"Liam..." My voice came out breathless and shaky.

"My angel, where are you right now?"

"At the mall." I struggled to sound normal, not wanting to alarm him unnecessarily.

"Hazel, listen carefully. I need you to come home immediately. Can you do that for me?"

"What's wrong?"

Liam's heavy sigh carried through the phone. "I received a photograph of you eating ice cream in front of the bookstore. From an unknown number. I believe it's Clairemont."

My hand trembled so violently I nearly dropped the phone. "I got a message too."

"Come home now. I'm heading there to meet you."

The line went dead. Immediately, one of the security guards crouched beside my wheelchair.

"Ma'am, we need to leave. Now."

The girls noticed the sudden tension and gathered around me. I quickly explained while we moved toward the exit. As we passed a metallic balloon vendor, my blood froze.

There, partially obscured by silver and gold balloons, stood a familiar figure.

"Clairemont!" I screamed to the security team. "He's right there, in the balloons!"

Four guards rushed in that direction while the remaining two hustled us outside. Cars were already waiting. I was shaking uncontrollably, nausea rising in my throat. Chloe pressed a water bottle into my hands.

"Drink this, honey. Small sips."

The other guards returned fifteen minutes later, empty-handed and breathing hard. Clairemont had vanished like smoke.

At home, Liam waited with Damian, Adrian, Owen, and Damon. Inspector Aurora stood with four additional officers in our living room.

"My angel, are you hurt?" Liam pulled me from the wheelchair into his arms.

"He was watching us the entire time," I whispered against his chest. "He was so close."

"You're safe now. I've got you."

Aurora and Damon confirmed they were searching the entire mall area and analyzing security footage. I recounted every detail from the hospital visit onward.

"How does he have my phone number? We changed it after the kidnapping."

"Most likely through the company informant," Aurora replied. "What puzzles me is the traffic cameras around the hospital showed no sign of Clairemont. No suspicious vehicles, nothing unusual."

"So he just happened to find them at the mall?" Liam asked.

"No. Men like Clairemont don't take random strolls through shopping centers. Every move is calculated. He knew she'd be there." Aurora's expression grew thoughtful. "Hazel, where did you get your current phone?"

"It's a company device, preconfigured with my email and contacts."

"Who physically handed it to you?"

"The IT department delivers them ready to use."

Aurora nodded grimly. "Can your hacker examine the device?"

Within an hour, Tobias Victor arrived and began his analysis. His findings chilled everyone in the room.

"Inspector, you were right. There's sophisticated spyware hidden in Mrs. Sterling's phone. I recommend checking all company devices immediately."

Liam's face darkened with fury. "How did this get installed?"

"This type of software requires physical access, Mr. Sterling. It can't be installed remotely."

"That narrows our search significantly," Aurora concluded. "Your informant works in the IT department."

Liam's hands clenched into fists as he called Allen. Someone very close to us was feeding Clairemont our every move, and now they had a much smaller pool of suspects to investigate.