27 A Mother's Secret , A Shared Name Liam's POV I gripped the steering wheel tightly , stealing glances at Hazel in the passenger seat . Her fingers trembled as she clutched her phone , checking it obsessively . The revelation that she had a son had knocked the wind out of me . " How old is he ? " I asked , breaking the tense silence . " Two ," she replied without looking up . " He's never been this sick before ." " I'm sure he'll be fine , " I said , accelerating through a yellow light . " Kids get fevers all the time . " She finally looked at me , her green eyes swimming with tears . " You don't understand . Leo is everything to me . " Leo . The name hit me like a physical blow . My father's name . What were the odds ? " We're almost there ," I assured her , pushing thoughts of my father aside . " Which building ? " " The blue one on the right . " She pointed ahead . " Third floor , apartment 302. " I pulled into a parking spot and killed the engine . Before I could get out , Hazel was already rushing toward the building entrance . I jogged after her , catching up at the elevator . The ride up was excruciating . Hazel kept biting her lower lip , a nervous habit I'd noticed during stressful meetings . But this was different . This was raw , maternal fear . When the elevator doors opened , she bolted down the hallway . I followed , watching as she fumbled with her keys outside apartment 302 . " Let me , " I said gently , taking the keys from her shaking hands . The door swung open to reveal a cozy apartment . A young woman with blonde hair stood in the living room , holding a small boy with dark curls . " Thank God you're here , " the babysitter said , her face lined with worry . " His fever's gotten worse ." 20:46 C 27 A Mother's Secret . A Shared Name Hazel rushed forward , taking the child from the woman's arms . " Hey , baby . Mommy's here now . " The boy's face was flushed , his dark curls damp with sweat . He whimpered and buried his face against Hazel's neck . " Mrs. Peterson , how long has he been like this ? " Hazel asked , her voice steadier than I expected . " He was fine until his nap . Woke up burning up ." The older woman grabbed a thermometer from the coffee table . " Last check was 102.4 . " I stood awkwardly in the doorway , feeling like an intruder in this intimate family scene . Yet I couldn't make myself leave . " We should take him to the hospital , " I heard myself say . Both women turned to look at me , as if just noticing my presence . " Who's this ?" Mrs. Peterson asked . " My boss ," Hazel replied quickly , too distracted to elaborate . She pressed her lips to her son's forehead . " He's right . I'm taking Leo to the hospital ." " I'll drive , I insisted . Hazel looked at me with such raw gratitude that something twisted painfully in my . chest . " Let me grab his bag ," she said , shifting Leo to her hip . The boy clung to her , his small arms wrapped around her neck . I moved closer , getting my first clear look at the child . His eyes , heavy with fever , opened briefly to study me . They were a striking shade of green - exactly like his mother's . But something else about him caught my attention . Something familiar that I couldn't place . " Here's his insurance card , " Hazel said , handing me a small plastic card while juggling the boy and a hastily packed bag . " Can you hold this while I lock up ? " Mrs. Peterson stood watching us . " Do you want me to come with you ? " 20:46 2/7 " No , thank you . " Hazel shook her head . " Mr. Sterling will help me . " The drive to the hospital was tense . In the backseat , Hazel cradled Leo , murmuring soothing words as he whimpered . I caught glimpses of them in the rearview mirror , struck by how different Hazel looked . Gone was the polsed , efficient assistant . In her place was a fierce , protective mother . At the hospital , I found myself taking charge - filling out paperwork , speaking with the Intake nurse , using my name to ensure they were seen quickly . Hazel didn't question my involvement , too focused on her son to wonder why her boss was so invested . " The doctor will see you now , " a nurse announced after what felt like hours but was probably only twenty minutes . I stood to follow them into the examination room , then hesitated . " Should I wait here ? " Hazel looked back at me , uncertainty flashing across her face . Then Leo whimpered again , and she made a decision . " Please come , " she said softly . The examination room was bright and sterile . Hazel sat on the bed with Leo in her lap , his small body curled against hers . I stood awkwardly against the wall , hands shoved in my pockets . A middle - aged doctor entered , smiling warmly . " I'm Dr. Ramirez . What seems to be the problem with our little guy today ? " " High fever , " Hazel explained , her voice steady despite her obvious worry . " It came on suddenly this afternoon . " Dr. Ramirez approached , gently placing his stethoscopé against Leo's back . " And what's this brave young man's name ? " " Leo ," Hazel replied . " Leonardo , actually , but we call him Leo . " The doctor smiled . " Good strong name . And how old is Leo ? " " He just turned two last month . " I watched silently as the doctor examined the boy , checking his ears , throat , and lungs . Leo fussed but didn't fight , clearly exhausted by the fever . 3/7 . 27 A Mother's Secret , A Shared Name " Has Dad noticed any other symptoms ? " Dr. Ramirez asked , glancing at me . My heart stuttered . Before I could correct him , Hazel jumped in . " Mr. Sterling is my employer . He was kind enough to drive us here ." " I see " The doctor nodded , turning back to Leo . " I've been with them since we left their apartment , " I heard myself say . " He's been lethargic , but no vomiting or other symptoms that I've seen ." Hazel shot me a surprised look , but I kept my eyes on the doctor . " Well , it looks like Leo has a simple viral infection , " Dr. Ramirez concluded after completing his examination . " Nothing serious , but I understand why you were worried . His fever is quite high . " The relief on Hazel's face was palpable . " So he'll be okay ? " " Absolutely . I'll write a prescription for children's fever reducer . Make sure he gets plenty of fluids . The fever should break within 24-48 hours ." The doctor scribbled on a prescription pad . " If it doesn't , or if he develops new symptoms , bring him back ." " Thank you , doctor , " Hazel said , her voice thick with emotion . Dr. Ramirez handed me the prescription . " You can fill this at the pharmacy . downstairs . " I nodded , accepting my role in this family tableau without question . After leaving the examination room , I insisted on filling the prescription while Hazel waited with Leo in the lobby . The boy had fallen into an uneasy sleep against her shoulder . " You don't have to do all this , " she said when I returned with the medicine and a stuffed dinosaur from the gift shop . " I want to help , " I replied simply . The drive back to her apartment was quieter , the atmosphere lightened by the doctor's reassurance . In the backseat , Leo had woken up and was drowsily clutching the dinosaur I'd bought him . " Dino , " he murmured , the first word I'd heard him speak . 20:46 D 27 A Mother's Secret , A Shared Name That's right , sweetie Hazel smiled , kissing his forehead . " Mr. Sterling got you a dinosaur " Tank you , " the boy said , his eyes drifting toward me in the rearview mirror . Something squeezed in my chest . " You're welcome , buddy . " At her apartment , I insisted on carrying Leo while Hazel unlocked the door . The boy felt small and fragile in my arms , his body radiating heat . He laid his head trustingly against my shoulder , too sick to be wary of a stranger . Inside , Hazel directed me to a small bedroom decorated with stars and planets . I gently placed Leo on the bed , watching as Hazel measured out the medicine the doctor had prescribed . " Okay , sweetie , this will make you feel better , " she coaxed , helping him drink the cherry - flavored liquid . I stood in the doorway , feeling increasingly like an intruder in this intimate moment . Yet I couldn't make myself leave . " Is there anything else you need ?" I asked when she had tucked Leo in with the dinosaur . Hazel looked up at me , exhaustion plain on her face . " You've already done so much . Thank you , Liam ." My name on her lips sent an unexpected wave of warmth through me . " It's no problem . I can stay if you- " A knock at the front door interrupted me . " That's probably Chloe , " Hazel said . " I called her from the hospital ." Sure enough , when we returned to the living room , a woman with curly blonde hair was letting herself in with a key . " Where's my godson ? " she demanded , her worried eyes finding Hazel . Then she spotted me . " And who's this ? " " Chloe , this is my boss , Liam Sterling " Hazel introduced us . " Liam , my best friend , Chloe Dalton . " 20:40 6/7 27 A Mother's Secret , A Shared Name Chloe's eyebrows shot up . " The boss ? " I extended my hand . " Nice to meet you ." She shook it , giving me a calculating look that suggested she'd heard plenty about me , none of it flattering . " Leo has a virus , Hazel explained quickly . " Mr. Sterling drove us to the hospital . " " That was… nice of him , " Chloe said , her tone suggesting the jury was still out on that assessment . I recognized my cue to exit . " Since you're in good hands , I should go . Take tomorrow off , Hazel . Stay with your son ." " But the Apex meeting- " " I can handle it , " I assured her . " Leo needs you more than I do right now ." The words came out with more emotion than I intended . Hazel's eyes widened slightly . " Thank you ," she said softly . " For everything ." I nodded , suddenly eager to escape the intensity of her gaze . " Call me if you need . anything . Anything at all ." Outside in my car , I sat motionless , my mind reeling . Hazel had a son . A two - year - old son named Leo - my father's name . The timing , the child's age , stirred something uncomfortable in my gut . The boy's features flashed in my mind - those green eyes like his mother's , but something else , something familiar I couldn't place . A strange , inexplicable protectiveness had overwhelmed me from the moment I saw him . I started the engine , questions swirling in my head like a gathering storm . Who was Leo's father ? Where was he ? Why had Hazel never mentioned having a child ? And why did I care so damn much ?