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?

The past week had flown by in a whirlwind of wedding preparations. Everything was finally falling into place—the venue, the flowers, the cake, all meticulously arranged by my bridesmaids and me. My bachelorette party was set for the upcoming weekend, with Erin and Amelia practically bubbling over with excitement about whatever they had planned.


Earlier that day, Adrian had texted to let me know he'd be coming home late. Damian had organized an impromptu poker night with the guys. I considered having dinner with Mom and Sebastian instead—I hadn't seen them in days and missed our household time. Just as I was about to call them while packing up my things at the office, the company messenger appeared beside my desk.


"Delivery for you, Ms. Stella," he said, placing a single red rose with a small card on my desk.


My heart fluttered. This had Adrian written all over it. Always so thoughtful, so romantic. I plucked the card from its tiny envelope and read the typed message:


Chapter 366 - S2 Chapter 150 - Trapped Without Escape