7 Chapter 27 – Emergency Revelations.
“Evelyn knows?”
“Shh, baby, Mommy’s here now,” she whispered, pressing her lips to his forehead.
Hazel’s face went carefully blank. “He doesn’t know Leo exists. It’s complicated and honestly pretty embarrassing. Can I tell you about it later?”
“Leo means rock, stone, she explained, brushing a strand of hair from her son’s forehead. “This little guy is my foundation. He gives me strength every single day.”
We thanked the doctor and headed home. At the pharmacy, I took the prescription from Hazel’s hands despite her protests and bought Leo’s medication. When we reached her apartment, I followed them inside without being invited.
“That’s beautiful, Hazel.” The old nickname slipped out naturally. “After my parents died, I decided that if I ever had a son, I’d name him Leo too. My father was my rock.
“So we have a little fever today?” he asked, washing his hands.
“What about Leo’s father?” I asked quietly.
“Yes, remember that dinner we had to cancel a few weeks ago? We were having dinner at my place with Chloe and Leo.”
“You’re exhausted, Hazel. I should go now that Chloe’s here. But if you need anything tonight, call me.”
Hazel beamed at the praise, and I felt a surge of admiration. Even working full–time and managing her demanding job, she had every detail of her son’s care perfectly handled.
“I’m coming with you,” I said, catching her elbow gently. “Whatever’s happening, you shouldn’t face it alone.
The entire drive to Hazel’s apartment, I watched her hands tremble in her lap. Whatever crisis had pulled her away from our evening together had shaken my usually composed assistant to her çore.
I drove faster than I should have, my hands gripping the steering wheel as Hazel’s quiet fears filled the car. When we reached the hospital, I dropped them at the emergency
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entrance and went to park.
She bolted from the car the moment I parked, her heels clicking frantically against the pavement. I caught up to her at the building entrance.
“Of course.”
I stood there like a statue, processing this new reality. Hazel had a child. A son who looked to be about two years old, with her same dark hair and delicate features.
“So,” I said, keeping my voice casual despite the storm of questions in my head, “when exactly were you planning to tell me you have a son?”
Hazel’s cheeks flushed. “It’s not a secret, Liam. I would never hide Leo from anyone. Evelyn knows about him. The subject just never came up between us.”
I settled into the chair beside her, studying the little boy who was watching me with curious dark eyes. “I wasn’t going to leave you to handle this alone.”
I felt a smile tugging at my lips despite everything. “His name is Leo?”
“You’re right,” Hazel said, her voice steadying with maternal resolve. “Can you grab his overnight bag while I get him dressed?”
“His vaccination records are excellent,” the doctor noted, flipping through Leo’s file. “Very thorough medical history from your previous pediatrician. You’re clearly a very organized mother.”
“Yes, Mr. Sterling, this is Leo Vance,” she said, her voice warming with unmistakable maternal pride. “He’s the light of my entire world.”
I smiled and headed for the door, but my mind was already racing with questions. During the drive home, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something about Leo seemed familiar. When Hazel had held him at the hospital, even though his eyes were mostly closed, there was something about his face that stirred a recognition I couldn’t place.
Inside, I found Hazel in the waiting area, Leo now awake but clinging to her like a lifeline. She looked up when I approached, surprise flickering across her exhausted features.
The doctor chuckled knowingly. “I have five children myself, all teenagers now. Even being a pediatrician, I still worry when they get sick.”
27 Chapter 27–Emergency Revelations.
I could feel Hazel’s confused stare burning into the side of my face, but I kept my expression neutral. There was no need to embarrass her by correcting the doctor’s assumption.
“You don’t have to do that. I can call a cab.
Chloe appeared from the kitchen, her face creased with worry. “How’s Leo? I got home. from work and saw your note. Why didn’t you call me?”
They disappeared down the hallway, leaving me alone in Hazel’s living room. The space was warm and inviting, with children’s toys neatly arranged in one corner and family photos scattered across the mantle. Through the large windows, the city lights. twinkled like stars.
Liam’s POV
Hazel rushed down the hallway, and I followed instinctively. When we entered the bedroom, I froze in the doorway. Hazel was lifting a small boy from the bed, his dark hair damp with sweat, his small body limp against her chest.
Leo. Even his name felt like a punch to my chest.
Why did I feel such a strong compulsion to protect them both? Why was I so curious about this child? And who was the father who didn’t even know Leo existed?
Hazel’s expression softened. “Really? What made you both choose that name?”
Hazel’s eyes were wide with worry, but she nodded gratefully. We took the elevator in tense silence, her fingers twisting the strap of her purse.
When Hazel returned twenty minutes later, she had changed into a long navy dress that made her look even more tired than before.
Her words sent warmth through me, but they also stirred up a curiosity I rarely allowed myself to feel about other people’s personal lives.
“Come closer, Dad. You can watch the examination.”
The word hit me like a physical blow. Mommy. Hazel had a child. In all our months of working together, through late nights and business dinners, she had never mentioned a son. The revelation sent my mind reeling. 1
Clara appeared beside us, her face grave. “Hazel, I really think we should take him to
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the emergency room. Fevers this high in toddlers can be dangerous.”
“In your bedroom. I’ve been trying to bring his fever down with cool cloths, but
nothing’s working”
I reached out and brushed my fingers along her cheek, feeling the softness of her skin. “Thank you for everything today, Liam,” she said quietly.
“Where is he, Clara?” Hazel’s voice cracked with panic.
“Just a cold, Chl. Liam, please make yourself comfortable. I need to give Leo his medicine and get him settled for the night. Chl, can you help me?”
“I’ll call with the blood results, but he should be fine in a few days. Just keep him home from daycare until the fever breaks completely.”
“Hazel, thank God you’re here. I was about to call the hospital,” the woman said, wringing her hands. “His temperature spiked to 103 degrees about an hour ago.”
Tears gathered in Hazel’s eyes. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“Of course, dear.”
Hazel opened her mouth to correct him, but I stepped forward smoothly. “Of course, Doctor. You know how it is with sick kids. We parents tend to panic.”
“I’ll drive you both,” I said, my voice coming out rougher than intended.
Hazel answered his questions with calm efficiency while I held her purse and Leo’s diaper bag. When the doctor asked Hazel to place Leo on the examination table, he turned to me with a smile.
After examining Leo thoroughly, the doctor ordered blood work as a precaution, but assured us it was likely just a particularly stubborn cold. He explained that starting daycare often meant exposure to new germs, and Leo’s immune system was simply adjusting.
“Liam,” Hazel’s voice cut through my stupor. “Thank you for bringing me home, but I need to get Leo to the hospital now.”
A nurse called Leo’s name, and we followed her into an examination room. The doctor, a kind–faced man in his fifties, gestured for us to sit.
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The questions churned in my head as I drove through the empty streets, but the answers remained frustratingly out of reach.
Something twisted in my chest. “That’s quite a coincidence. Leo was my father’s.
name”
Chapter 27 – Emergency Revelations.
Hazel reached over and touched my cheek gently. “Your father raised an incredible man. I know he’s proud of you.”
The authority in my voice left no room for argument. I helped them to the car, Hazel sliding g into the back seat with Leo cradled against her chest. Through the rearview mirror. I watched her stroke his hair, murmuring soft reassurances.
“Absolutely not, Hazel. Let’s go.”
“What are you doing here?” she asked softly.
“Would you like some coffee?” she offered.
A middle–aged woman with graying hair met us at Hazel’s apartment door. Her face was etched with concern,
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