14 The Scars He Carries Hazel's POV The strange tension from Evelyn's reaction hung in the air . I couldn't shake the feeling that she was holding something back . She sat perfectly still , her elegant posture . betraying nothing , but her eyes - they looked troubled . " Evelyn ? Is everything okay ? " I asked cautiously . She set her wine glass down with a small clink . " I think it's time I told you more about Liam Sterling " Chloe perked up instantly , leaning forward . " Ooh , I'm all ears for this ." Evelyn smiled sadly . " Most people only see the powerful CEO , the demanding boss . But the man I've known since he was a boy is much more complex . " " How long have you worked for the Sterling family ? " I asked . " Almost thirty years . I started working for Liam's father when Liam was just five years old ." Her eyes softened with the memory . " Such a serious little boy , always following his father around with a toy briefcase ." I couldn't help but smile at the image . " His parents , Robert and Eleanor Sterling , were extraordinary people . They built Sterling Group from nothing , but they always made time for their son . " Evelyn's voice grew quieter . " Until the accident ." Chloe reached for the wine bottle , refilling our glasses . " What happened exactly ? " " Three years ago , they were flying to their lake house for the weekend . The helicopter crashed in bad weather . " Evelyn's fingers tightened around her glass . " They died instantly ." My heart ached for Liam . No wonder he seemed so closed off . " Liam was only twenty - seven when he suddenly had to take over the entire company . " Evelyn continued . " He wasn't ready , but he didn't have a choice . " " That's a lot of responsibility to shoulder so young ," I said softly . 20.41 14 The Scars Ho Carries Evelyn nodded . " He changed after that night . Before the accident , he was different- charming , lighthearted even . He dated , he laughed … " " Wait , " Chloe interrupted . " You mean he used to be a normal human being ? " I shot her a warning look , but Evelyn chuckled . " More than normal . He was quite the social butterfly " Her expression clouded . " But that night changed everything . " " The night his parents died ? " I asked . Evelyn hesitated . " Yes , but there was more to it . Earlier that same evening , Liam had attended a charity masquerade ball . He met someone there - a woman . According to Damian , they had an immediate connection . " My stomach tightened inexplicably . " When Liam got the call about his parents , he had to leave immediately . He never even got her name . " Evelyn's gaze drifted to the hallway where Leo slept . " He tried to find. her afterward , but it was impossible . A face hidden behind a mask , no name exchanged … The room suddenly felt too hot , too small . My pulse quickened , but I forced myself to stay calm . Coincidences happened all the time , right ? " So he lost his parents and this mystery woman on the same night , " Chloe summarized . " Talk about terrible timing Evelyn nodded . " Liam took it as a sign . He shut down emotionally , threw himself into work . The Sterling Group became his entire life . " " And that's why you're leaving ? " I asked , grateful for the change of subject . " Because he's all work and no play ? " " Partly ." Evelyn smiled gently . " But mostly because I have grandchildren in London who barely know me . It's time I focused on my own family . " I reached over and squeezed her hand . " They're lucky to have you ." " Thank you , dear . " Her eyes crinkled warmly . " And Sterling Group is lucky to have you . Liam needs someone who won't back down when he's being unreasonable . " 20:41 C 14 The Soars He Carlos Chloe snorted into her wine . " Then he hit the jackpot with Hazel . She might look . sweet , but she's stubborn as hell . " I prefer determined , " 1 corrected with a laugh . Later , after Evelyn had gone home with promises to visit again soon , Chloe helped me clean up . " So , " she said , loading the dishwasher , " are we going to talk about the elephant - sized coincidence in the room ? " 1 dropped the takeout containers I was gathering , " What do you mean ? " Chloe rolled her eyes . " Oh please . Mysterious guy at a masquerade ball three years ago , same night Sterling's parents died , same violet - blue eyes your son has … " It's not possible , " I insisted , though my voice lacked conviction . " The timing fits perfectly . Chloe pressed . " And those eyes - how many people have ever seen with that color ? " you " Just Leo and … Liam ." My heart was pounding so hard I could hear it . " But it has to be a coincidence . The universe isn't that cruel ." Chloe leaned against the counter , studying me . " Would it be so terrible if Liam Sterling was Leo's father ? " " Yes ! No … I don't know ." I sank onto a kitchen chair . " It would be so complicated , Chloe . He's my boss . And he's so cold , so different from the man I met that night . " " According to Evelyn , he wasn't always like that . " I buried my face in my hands . " This is insane speculation . We have no proof . " " Except those eyes ," Chloe reminded me gently . " And the timing Lifting my head , I fixed her with a serious look . " Even if - and it's a massive if - Liam was the man from that night , it doesn't matter . He's my boss now . That's all . " " Is it ? " Chloe's eyebrow arched . " Because I've never seen you so flustered about a boss before . Heat rushed to my face . " I'm not flustered ." 20:41 3/6 14 The Scars He Comes " Oh really ? " She smirked . " Then why do you turn five shades of red whenever you talk about him ? " I groaned . " Fine . I'm physically attracted to him . Who wouldn't be ? The man looks like . he stepped out of a GQ magazine ." " Finally , some honesty ! Chloe clapped her hands . " So what are you going to do about " Nothing ! Absolutely nothing . I stood up , pacing the small kitchen . " I need this job , Chloe . I need the stability for Leo . I can't risk everything because my body goes haywire whenever Liam Sterling walks into a room ." Chloe crossed her arms . " You know , you don't have to be a martyr . If you're worried about job security , I could get you interviews at a dozen companies tomorrow " " I know , and I appreciate that . But this isn't just about a paycheck . " I sighed , trying to articulate my feelings . " Working at Sterling Group feels … right . Like I'm where I'm supposed to be . " " Even with Mr. Hot - and - Cold as your boss ? " " Even with him . " I smiled ruefully . " I just need to keep my distance and remember that he's off - limits . " Chloe flopped dramatically onto my couch . " Fine , deny yourself . But we both know you're playing with fire ." " Speaking of playing ," I said , changing the subject , " I'm worried about Leo . My hours at Sterling are so long , and now with these social events … " Chloe sat up straight , her expression brightening . " I was hoping you'd bring that up ! I found the perfect solution ." " Please don't tell me you're offering to babysit . The last time you watched Leo , you taught him to say ' corporate overlords . " " Hey , he needs to expand his vocabulary ," she defended with a laugh . " But no , I hired someone ." I stared at her . " You what ? " " I hired a nanny . Her name is Clara Martinez . She's amazing - certified in childcare , 20:41 2/6 14 The Scars He Carries CPR trained , references checked . She's worked for my cousin's family for years ." " Chloe , " I began , overwhelmed , " I can't afford- " She held up her hand . " Already taken care of . Consider it Leo's godmother's gift ." " I can't let you pay for my childcare ! " " Yes , you can , and you will . " Chloe's tone brooked no argument . " Look , you know money isn't an issue for me . Let me do this one thing . It'll give you peace of mind , and Leo gets consistent care from someone wonderful ." Tears pricked at my eyes . Chloe had been my rock since the day I found out I was pregnant . Without her support , I'm not sure where Leo and I would be . " Clara can start Monday " Chloe continued softly . " She'll be here when you leave for work and stay until you get home . No more rushing to daycare , no more worrying about late pickups . " The weight that lifted from my shoulders was immense . I hadn't realized how much the constant juggling act had been wearing me down . " Thank you , I whispered , grabbing her in a fierce hug . " I don't know what I'd do without you ." " Probably wear boring clothes and never have any fun ," she teased , hugging me back . I pulled away , wiping my eyes . " I should meet her first , make sure Leo likes her . " " Obviously . She's coming tomorrow morning for introductions . If you don't like her , we'll find someone else ." Chloe squeezed my hand . " But you will . She's perfect . As I lay in bed later that night , my mind swirled with everything I'd learned . Liam Sterling , the cold , demanding CEO who made my pulse race , had once been someone different . Someone who connected with a masked woman at a ball , who'd lost everything in a single night . Could that woman have been me ? And if so , what would happen if he ever found out ? The possibility was both terrifying and oddly thrilling . But as I drifted off to sleep , one thought remained clear : no matter what , I had to protect Leo . Even if it meant keeping secrets from the man who might be his father .