The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife novel Chapter 52

52 An Act of Contrition

52 An Act of Contrition

Liam’s POV 1

I stared at my phone, my thumb hovering over Hazel’s name. After our emotional encounter yesterday, I’d called her six times. Each call went straight to voicemail.

My heart sank with every unanswered ring.

“Still nothing?” Damian asked, leaning against my office doorway.

I shook my head, tossing my phone onto the desk. “She won’t talk to me.”

“Then stop calling and show her.” He crossed his arms. “Actions speak louder than words, man.”

“You think I haven’t tried?” I ran my hands through my hair. “I’ve apologized countless

times.”

“Apologizing isn’t enough,” Damian said bluntly. “You humiliated her, questioned her integrity, and had her escorted out of the building. Words won’t fix that.”

His honesty stung, but he was right. I’d destroyed everything we’d built together with my paranoia and distrust.

“What do I do?” I asked quietly.

“Go to her. Prove you’re all in.” Damian’s expression softened. “And don’t forget the kid. Leo matters to her more than anything.”

An idea struck me. Twenty minutes later, I stood in a toy store, staring at an enormous stuffed dinosaur.LI

“Does your son like dinosaurs?” the saleswoman asked.

My son. The words still felt new, precious. “He loves them.”

“This T-Rex is our biggest seller for his age group.”

The dinosaur was nearly as tall as Leo. It was ridiculous, excessive, and exactly what I needed.

“I’ll take it,” I said, pulling out my credit card. “And those chocolates by the register.”

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52 An Act of

An hour later, I stood outside Hazel’s apartment building, dinosaur in one arm, chocolates in the other. The doorman eyed me suspiciously.

“I’m here to see Hazel Vance,” I said.

“Ms. Vance isn’t accepting visitors.” His tone left no room for argument.

“Please, just tell her Liam Sterling is here.”

The doorman’s eyebrows rose slightly at my name, but his stance remained firm. “I’m sorry, sir.”

“I’m not leaving until I see her,” I insisted. “I’ll wait here all night if I have to.”

He studied me for a long moment. “I’ve worked here fifteen years, Mr. Sterling. Know what I’ve learned about women?”

I waited, desperate for any advice.

“They appreciate persistence, but they hate stubbornness.” He nodded toward the elevator. “Fifth floor, apartment 503. But if she turns you away, don’t make me call security.”

“Thank you,” I breathed, hurrying toward the elevator.

Outside her door, I set down the dinosaur and chocolates. My hands were trembling. What if she refused to even open the door?

I knocked softly.

No answer.

I knocked again, louder this time.

“Hazel, please. It’s Liam. I just want to talk.”

Silence stretched on. My confidence wavered.

In a moment of desperate inspiration, I sank to my knees, picking up the chocolates. I wasn’t above begging. Not for her.

“Hazel, I know you’re in there,” I called out. “I’m not leaving until you talk to me. I’ll camp outside your door all night if I have to.”

I heard movement inside, then her muffled voice. “Go away, Liam.”

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“Please, I pleaded. “Five minutes. That’s all I’m asking for”

The door swung open abruptly. Hazel stood there, beautiful even with her hair tied back messily and wearing simple Jeans and a t-shirt.

Her eyes widened at seeing me on my knees. “What are you doing?”

“Whatever it takes,” I said simply, holding up the chocolates. “I brought these for you. And this-“I gestured to the dinosaur, “-is for Leo.

Before she could respond, a small voice called from inside. “Mommy, who is it?”

Leo appeared behind her legs, peering curiously at me. My heart clenched at the sight of my son.

“It’s Mr. Sterling,” Hazel answered stiffly. “From Mommy’s old work.”

Leo’s eyes lit up when he spotted the dinosaur. “Wow! Is that a T-Rex?”

I smiled, still kneeling. “It is. Do you like dinosaurs, Leo?”

He nodded enthusiastically. “They’re my favorite!”

Hazel sighed, her resolve visibly weakening. “Five minutes,” she conceded, opening the door wider.

I stood quickly, grabbing the dinosaur. “Thank you.”

Leo rushed forward when I entered, immediately reaching for the stuffed animal. “Is this really for me?”

“Yes, buddy,” I said, handing it over. It was nearly as big as he was. “What do you think?”

“I love him!” Leo hugged the dinosaur tightly. “Thank you, Mr. Sterling!”

“You can call me Liam,” I said, swallowing the lump in my throat. I wanted so badly to say ‘Dad’ instead.

Hazel took the chocolates wordlessly, setting them on a side table. “Leo, why don’t you take your new dinosaur to your room?”

“Can I show him my other dinosaurs first?” Leo asked, looking up at me with hopeful

eyes-my eyes.

I glanced at Hazel, who nodded reluctantly.

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52 An Act of Contrition

“Lead the way, buddy,” I said, following him to the living room where toys were scattered across the floor.

Leo immediately began introducing me to his dinosaur collection, explaining each one’s name and special powers. I sat cross-legged beside him, completely enthralled.

“This one can fly and breathe fire,” he explained seriously, holding up a plastic pterodactyl.

“That’s amazing,” I replied with equal seriousness. “What’s his name?”

“Spike,” Leo declared. “But my new T-Rex is going to be the king of all of them.”

I felt Hazel watching us from the doorway. When I looked up, there were tears in her

eyes.

For the next hour-well beyond my promised five minutes-I played dinosaurs with my son while Hazel prepared dinner. She hadn’t asked me to leave, which I took as a hopeful sign.

“Would you like to stay for dinner?” she finally asked, her voice carefully neutral. “It’s just spaghetti.”

“I’d love to,” I said, trying not to sound too eager.

Dinner was surprisingly comfortable. Leo dominated the conversation, telling me about preschool and his friends. I soaked up every detail, storing away each piece of information about my son’s life.

After dinner, Hazel announced it was Leo’s bedtime.

“Can Liam read me a story?” Leo asked, looking between us.

Hazel hesitated before nodding. “One story.”

Reading to my son for the first time was an experience I would never forget. He curled against me as if we’d done this a hundred times before, his small body trusting and

warm.

“Goodnight, Leo,” I whispered when the story was finished.

“Night, Liam,” he mumbled sleepily. “Will you come back tomorrow?”

My heart nearly burst. “That’s up to your mom,” I answered honestly.

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52 An Act of Contrition

When I returned to the living room, Hazel was waiting, arms crossed defensively.

“Thank you for letting me stay,” I said quietly.

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