14 Chapter 14–Family Secrets and Past Wounds
14 Chapter 14 – Family Secrets and Past Wounds
“He brought in Damian as his right hand instead of promoting Clairemont. Damian had been his best friend since childhood, their families were intertwined for generations. It was brilliant actually. Together, they transformed the company into something even bigger than his father had imagined. But Clairemont never forgave the slight. He stays. because Liam kept all his father’s employees out of loyalty, but there’s bad blood
there.”
“Spill it, Hazel. I want the real story Evelyn doesn’t know about.”
“Don’t play innocent. You texted me that your boss grabbed you. There’s more to this story than what you just shared.”
“Chl. do you think your uncle would really hire me back if this job goes south?”
My chest tightened with curiosity. “Evelyn, what happened to his parents?”
Hazel’s POV
After Evelyn left, Chloe cornered me while we cleaned up.
‘Helicopter crash,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “They were flying back from a business dinner when the weather turned nasty. Liam’s father got an emergency call about a hostile takeover attempt and had to rush back to the city. Liam was supposed o go with them, but he stayed at the party with that woman. His parents left word with Damian’s family before they took off, but by the time Liam got the message…” She viped her eyes. “He was never the same. Now he goes through women like they’re lisposable, never letting anyone get close enough to matter.”
It is,” Evelyn nodded. “He was barely twenty–eight, not ready to run a empire, but he efused to let Clairemont take over. Clairemont had been the CFO and felt entitled to he position since he’d worked closely with Liam’s father for years. When Liam tepped up as CEO, Clairemont was furious. He called Liam a spoiled brat who would ankrupt the company within a year. Their confrontation was brutal.”
couldn’t dodge Chloe’s interrogation. I told her about the electricity that shot hrough me when Liam touched me, how his proximity made my skin burn and my hind go blank. Chloe studied my face with growing amusement.
14 Chapter 14- Family Secrets and Past Wounds
Chloe perked up immediately. I recounted the whole mortifying scene, with Evelyn filling in details she’d witnessed. Soon we were all laughing until our sides hurt. Chloe had us in tears describing how her boss once mixed up gift packages, sending adult toys to his mother while his hookup received a rosary and Bible. The best part was both women showing up at his office simultaneously to confront him, and his mother refusing to return the toys.
I knew arguing was pointless. Chloe had made up her mind, and honestly, having reliable childcare felt like winning the lottery. If her mother recommended Miranda, I trusted she’d be perfect for Leo.
We collapsed in giggles, but her bluntness was oddly comforting. At least I wouldn’t end up homeless if this job imploded.
“Don’t be silly,” she smiled, pulling out her phone. “My daughters are thriving in Boston. Both married Oxford graduates, and I have three gorgeous grandchildren waiting for me.” She showed us photo after photo, her pride radiating. “That’s why I’m finally making the move. But leaving Liam feels like abandoning my own son.”
“You know me, Chl. I analyze everything, weigh every consequence, never act
impulsively. But around Liam, I feel like I’m going to combust. My whole body feels like it’s on fire.”
“What do you mean?”
Relief flooded through me. “Chl, you’re a lifesaver. I was panicking about daycare pickup times. But let me pay her salary.”
“How long ago was this?” Chloe asked, her eyes glit
glistening.
“You remind me so much of Liam,” she said quietly. ” the same walls around his
He b
heart. There was this woman he met at a charity gala, and they spent the most incredible evening together. But then his world shattered when he got the call about his parents. By the time he could think straight enough to find her again, she had disappeared completely. He searched everywhere, hired investigators, but she was gone like smoke. That loss on top of losing his parents nearly destroyed him.
“And you’ve been with the family how long?”
“He’s lucky to have you,” I said, thinking of my own parents and feeling homesick. Evelyn’s face softened. “Thirty years. I changed Liam’s diapers, for crying out loud. I
14 Chapter 14–Family Secrets and Past Wounds
started as his father’s secretary when I was twenty, fresh out of college and newly married. When I got pregnant with my twins two years later, I thought I’d have to quit. But then my husband ran off with his secretary, leaving me with two babies and no support. The Millers became my family. I was supposed to transfer to Boston years ago to run the European division, but I couldn’t abandon Liam after losing his parents. Now that he’s stable, it’s time.
Chloe leaned forward, completely absorbed. “What did Liam do?”
The weight of his pain settled in my stomach. “No wonder he carries himself like the
world is on his shoulders.
“I’m not following. Hazel.”
“Three years. Liam and Damian are thirty–one now, but they were just kids when they inherited that responsibility.
Chloe burst out laughing and grabbed my shoulders. “Girl, that’s called being horny.”
“Now enough about my sob story,” Evelyn said, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Damian told me your first encounter with Liam was explosive. I want details.”
Chapter 14- Family Secrets and Past Wounds
“Absolutely not. He’s my godson, and I want my partner in crime available for girls‘ nights. I’m covering it.”
“I don’t know,” I admitted. “But when he gets close, I feel like I’m losing myself. The attraction is so intense it scares me. I’ve never felt anything like it.”
Guilt washed over me. “I’m sorry, Evelyn. I should have asked about your life sooner.” I opened up to Evelyn about Leo’s father, sharing the whirlwind encounter that turned my world upside down and left me swearing off romance forever. Evelyn listened with understanding eyes, but her expression suddenly darkened as if a painful memory surfaced.
“Oh, before I forget,” Chloe said, “Mom found us a nanny. Her name’s Miranda, and she used to take care of me when I was little. She’ll pick up Leo from daycare and stay until we get home. She can handle baths, dinner, even overnight if we need to go out. I already arranged for her to watch Leo Saturday night so we can hit the town. She’s met Leo and they clicked immediately. You’ll love her.”
14 Chapter 14 Family Secrets and Past Wounds
“Girl, Uncle Frank said the door’s always open for you. Plus Dad’s agency is expanding. You won’t starve. But why? You think your boss is going to fire you?”
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