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?

Racing back toward the city with Owen behind the wheel, I grabbed my phone to call Inspector Seth, only to discover it was completely dead. Thankfully, Cole handed me his phone, and I found Seth's number in his contacts.


"Seth, this is Damon," I said the moment he answered.


"Damon! I've been trying to reach you. We know where Maya is—we're heading there now," Seth informed me.


"Perfect! That's why I'm calling. We'll meet at the notary's office." I was about to hang up when Seth's confused voice stopped me.


"What notary's office? Damon, we're heading to the ravine. Maya's being held in a house there."


My stomach dropped. "Who gave you that information?"


"A city police officer. He came forward saying the local detective is helping Connor. He didn't want any part of it. He's even accompanying us now. Your friends are with us too."


Chapter 576 - S3 - Chapter 172- Forced Vows