The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife

Hazel's POV

On Friday afternoon, Chloe, Leo, and I boarded our flight to Crestwood. The familiar landscape below made my chest tighten with anticipation as we descended toward home. At the airport, Chloe's family driver waited by the arrivals gate, just as she had promised. He drove us straight to my parents' farm, where I could already see the warm glow of lights in the windows.

I hugged Chloe goodbye at the front gate, and we made plans for her to visit tomorrow. Then I walked up the familiar dirt path, Leo heavy in my arms, my heart racing with excitement.

"Hazel!" My mother burst through the screen door before I could even knock, tears already streaming down her cheeks as she rushed toward me.

"Mom!" I breathed, letting her wrap me in the embrace I had been craving for months.

"And where is my precious grandson? Come to grandma, sweet boy!" Mom immediately reached for Leo, who went willingly into her arms. This gave me the perfect opportunity to throw myself into my father's waiting embrace.

"My girl," Dad whispered against my hair. "Having you both home feels like a miracle."

"I know, Dad. Being here feels incredible."

"Come on inside before the mosquitoes eat us alive. You can explore the farm properly tomorrow when there's daylight." Dad's enthusiasm about showing off his land was unmistakable in his voice.

Inside, the house smelled exactly like childhood - Mom's cooking, Dad's coffee, and that indefinable scent of home. The dining table was already set with our best dishes, laden with all my favorite foods. We settled in for dinner, and I felt the knots in my shoulders finally begin to loosen. This was what I had been missing in the city - this sense of belonging, of being completely known and loved.

Leo dozed off against grandma's shoulder halfway through dessert. Mom carried him upstairs to tuck him into my old bedroom, then returned to join Dad and me in the living room where we had spent countless evenings talking.

"So tell us, sweetheart, how is life treating you in that big city?" Dad leaned back in his worn leather chair, his eyes twinkling with genuine curiosity.

"Honestly, Dad, it's been amazing. I've built this whole community of friends who have become like family. The city is so different from Crestwood - most people there don't care about your bank account or judge you for your circumstances. I rarely feel the weight of being a single mother the way I used to here. Sure, there are still some narrow-minded people, but I've found my tribe. Leo has gained so many honorary aunts and uncles who adore him."

"That's beautiful, Hazel," Mom said softly. "We miss you terribly, but we can both see that you're thriving there. This isn't your home anymore, not really."

"But I do miss home. I miss you both more than you know."

"Of course you do, and that's natural," Dad replied. "But you need to build your own life, not live in the shadow of ours."

Mom leaned forward with that mischievous smile I remembered from my teenage years. "Now, among all these wonderful new friends, surely there's been some romance? You're young and gorgeous, sweetheart."

I felt heat creep up my neck. "Well, there is someone, but the situation is incredibly complicated."

Dad chuckled and shook his head. "You women always say it's complicated, even when it's straightforward. You just overthink everything. Take your mother and me - we were sneaking around for months, stealing kisses and going to movies, but she refused to make anything official. I was head over heels for her, still am, and I knew I wanted to marry her. So one afternoon, I marched over to her house when she wasn't home and had a man-to-man conversation with her father about my intentions."

My jaw dropped. "Dad, you didn't really do that!" My parents had never shared the story of how their relationship began.

"I absolutely did. When your mother came home and found me sitting in her living room with your grandfather, she looked ready to commit murder. Your grandfather stood up, cleared his throat, and announced in that no-nonsense way of his, 'Serena, this young man wants to court you properly. But I'm telling you right now - if you're going to date, you're dating to marry. I won't tolerate any of this modern foolishness.'" Dad's impression of grandpa made us all laugh.

"I was absolutely furious," Mom jumped in. "I didn't say a single word to either of them. I walked straight to the kitchen, grabbed my broom, marched back into the living room, and chased your father right out the front door with it."

Dad was laughing so hard he could barely speak. "I was completely smitten, and after that display of fire, I knew without a doubt I was going to marry this fierce woman. And I did!"

"But Mom, why did you chase him away?"

Her expression grew serious. "Because marriage terrified me. Your aunt had just gotten married, and her husband was treating her like property. He was controlling and possessive, wouldn't let her go anywhere alone, and everyone knew he was running around with other women. Looking at your father now with his innocent expression, you'd never guess what a reputation he had back then." She shot him a playful glare.

"I didn't want that kind of life, so just like you, I had sworn off men entirely. Then your father appeared and completely derailed my carefully laid plans."

"But it worked out perfectly, didn't it Mom?"

"Your father wore me down with his persistence, and marrying him turned out to be the best decision I ever made."

Dad reached over and squeezed my hand. "Listen, sweetheart, if this man is good to you and makes you happy, nothing else should matter. Don't let fear rob you of joy. How does he treat Leo?"

A smile spread across my face before I could stop it. "Leo absolutely adores him. And he spoils that little boy rotten."

"Then what exactly is the problem?" Dad pressed gently.

"It's just really complicated, Dad. Can we save this conversation for another time? I'm exhausted from traveling."

"Of course, honey, whenever you're ready to talk," Dad said, rising from his chair to kiss the top of my head. "Let's all get some rest. Tomorrow I want to give you and my grandson the grand tour of everything we've been working on around here."