Three years ago, Hazel Vance made a choice that changed everything. One night of passion with a mysterious stranger at a masquerade ball left her with more than just memories—it left her with a son whose rare violet-blue eyes are a constant reminder of the father she'll never find.

Now a struggling single mother, Hazel desperately needs the executive assistant position at Sterling Group. The salary could finally give her two-year-old Leo the life he deserves. But her new boss, CEO Liam Sterling, is nothing like she expected.

Demanding, brilliant, and devastatingly handsome, Liam has a reputation for being impossible to work for. Most assistants don't last a week. When Hazel refuses to be intimidated by his cold demeanor and sharp tongue, something shifts between them. The attraction is immediate and electric, crackling through every professional interaction.

But it's his eyes that stop her cold. The same striking violet-blue shade that stares back at her every morning when she looks at her son.

As the tension between them builds and the lines between professional and personal begin to blur, Hazel finds herself caught between her desperate need for this job and her growing attraction to the one man who could destroy everything she's worked for.

She doesn't know that Liam has been searching for the mysterious woman from the masquerade ball ever since that night changed him forever. And he has no idea that the composed, fiery assistant who challenges him at every turn is the same woman who haunts his dreams.

When the truth finally comes to light, will it bring them together or tear apart the fragile new life Hazel has built for herself and her son?

Another nightmare jolted me awake at 3 AM. The same dream again—Isabella in that monstrous wedding dress, trapping me in a gilded cage while Hazel and Leo disappeared into the distance. I rubbed my bloodshot eyes and stared at the ceiling.


Sleep wasn't coming back tonight. I dragged myself out of bed and headed to my home office. Might as well get some work done.


By the time my driver pulled up to the upscale restaurant where I was meeting Noah and his uncle, I'd been awake for nine hours and consumed four cups of coffee. The hostess recognized me immediately.


"Mr. Sterling, your party is already seated in the private dining room."


I nodded my thanks and followed her through the restaurant. Noah stood as I entered, looking concerned when he saw my face.


"Good to see you too," I replied dryly, shaking his hand before turning to the distinguished older gentleman beside him.


Chapter 134 - The Doctor's Damning Revelation