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 last thing I expected during my second day at Sterling Group was to be asked out on a date. Yet here I was, staring awkwardly at Finn from IT, his hopeful expression making me squirm in my seat.


"So, what do you say? Dinner this Friday?" he asked again, fidgeting with the company phone he'd just delivered.


I smiled politely. "That's really sweet, Finn, but I'm still settling in. Plus, I have my son to think about."


His face fell slightly. "Oh! You have a son? I didn't know."


"Yes, Leo. He's two and keeps me pretty busy." I held up the phone. "Thanks for setting this up."


Finn nodded, accepting the gentle rejection. "No problem. If you need anything else tech-related, just call the helpdesk and ask for me."


As he walked away, Evelyn approached with an amused smile. "First day and already breaking hearts?"


I laughed. "Hardly. Just being honest."


Chapter 7 - Trial by Telephone