Chapter 31 – Godmother’s Guidance
Chapter 31 – Godmother’s Guidance
Hazel’s POV
I left the office in a daze, my mind spinning from what had happened. The memory of Liam’s touch still burned on my skin, making it impossible to think clearly. I needed to get home to Leo, to ground myself in the one constant that kept me steady.
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The taxi ride felt endless. When I finally walked through the door, Leo came running toward me with his arms outstretched, his little voice calling “Mommy” despite being stuffed up from his cold. The sight of his bright smile washed away every complicated thought from my mind. This was what mattered. This was my world.
Chl hadn’t arrived yet, so I found Miranda in the kitchen, bustling around with the efficiency of someone who truly cared. She had already prepared dinner, given Leo his medicine, and somehow managed to make our small apartment feel like a real home.
“Miranda, I honestly don’t know how to thank you for everything you’ve done today,” I told her, meaning every word.
She waved her hand dismissively, but her smile was warm. “Don’t be silly, Hazel. Leo is the sweetest little boy I’ve ever had the pleasure of watching. Even with this cold, he’s been an angel. And when Mrs. Carlos called asking me to look after her grandson, well, I jumped at the chance. Gets lonely in that big house by myself.”
The way she called Leo her grandson made my chest tighten with gratitude. Chl’s family had embraced us both without question, treating us like blood relatives instead of strays who needed help.
“Mrs. Carlos is incredible. I’m so lucky to have Chl’s family in our lives,” I said softly.
“You deserve every bit of kindness they show you, sweetheart. You’re raising a wonderful boy all on your own, and that takes real strength.” Miranda reached over and squeezed my hand. “Now go get cleaned up and put on something comfortable. I’ll keep an eye on this little one until you’re ready.”
I did exactly as she suggested, letting the hot water wash away the tension from my shoulders. When I emerged from the bathroom, Chl had arrived and was showering Leo with kisses while
brought him.
he giggled and waved around a bag of candy.r
“Chl, you’re going to rot all his teeth out with all that sugar,” I said, though I couldn’t help but smile at how happy she made him.
“I’m his godmother, which means spoiling him is literally my job,” she shot back with a grin that
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31 Chapter 31 – Godmother’s Guidance
stretched across her entire face.
Miranda gathered her things and headed toward the door. good care of my little prince, will you?”
Well, ladies, I should get going. Take
“Wait, Miranda, won’t you stay for dinner? Please?” I asked, probably sounding more desperate
than I intended.
“Yeah, stay longer, Lygi!” Leo chimed in with his most adorable puppy dog expression.
“Oh, my sweet boy, I wish I could tonight.” She bent down to stroke his cheek and plant a gentle kiss there, making my heart swell with affection for this woman who had become like family to
- us.
“Before you go, can I ask you to watch Leo tomorrow? I have to work again,” I remembered to ask.
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“Actually, don’t worry about it, Hazel. I’m free all day tomorrow and plan to spend every minute spoiling my godson rotten. Right, little man?” Chl said, making Leo dissolve into giggles.
“But isn’t Noah coming this weekend? I don’t want to mess up your plans,” I said, already feeling guilty about imposing.
“What plans? Noah’s not coming until next week because he’s finally moving here permanently,” she said, practically glowing with excitement. “Tomorrow it’s just me and this little guy. And we should probably postpone our girls‘ day until next week anyway, since Leo’s still fighting this cold. That way Miranda can have a proper break too.”
After Miranda left, Chl and I settled into our evening routine. She showered while I got Leo ready for bed, and then we sat down to the delicious meal Miranda had prepared. Once Leo was tucked in and fast asleep, Chl and I tackled the dishes together. That’s when I finally found the courage to tell her everything that had happened in Liam’s office.
When I finished my story, Chl was staring at me with an expression I couldn’t quite read.
“Chl, I completely screwed this up, didn’t I? I need you to tell me how to fix it, because when that man touches me, my brain just stops working entirely.“”
“Hazel, you didn’t screw anything up. What was screwed up was your ridiculous plan to never be with anyone again after having Leo. And let’s be honest here, your boss is absolutely gorgeous. Actually, you’re surrounded by incredible men these days, because Damian is also ridiculously good–looking,” she said, fanning herself dramatically until I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Chl, this fire I feel when Liam touches me, I’ve only felt it once before. With Leo’s father. My ex–boyfriend never even came close to making me feel this way.”
“Well, honey, if it’s that intense, then maybe you should stop fighting it. Besides, you said he promised it won’t affect your job, and if it does, you can always find another one.”
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“You really think so? I’m terrified of getting hurt. I think I’m already developing feelings for him, but he’s so far out of my league it’s not even funny.”
By league because he has
“Hazel, stop that right now. I’m not going to listen to this ‘out of money‘ garbage. That’s the same toxic nonsense those idiots from high school filled your head with, and you need to forget every word of it. They were all losers anyway.” Chl’s voice got sharp the way it always did when she was defending me. “Love doesn’t care about bank accounts, Hazel. And sometimes we have to take risks. It’s better to get hurt than spend your whole life wondering what might have been. Plus, this time you don’t even have to worry about protection. Though a baby with Liam’s genes would probably be just as beautiful as Leo.”
I grabbed the dish towel and swatted her with it, but I was laughing too hard to put any force behind it. After Leo was born, Chl had insisted I start taking birth control. I’d fought her on it, swearing I would never be with anyone again, but she’d worn me down with her persistence. She’d pointed out that I hadn’t planned on having sex with a stranger at a party either, but it had happened anyway. Now I was grateful she’d been so stubborn.
“Hazel, listen to me. Get yourself ready, go to work tomorrow, and drive that man absolutely crazy all day long. Then after everyone else goes home, rock his world so completely that no other woman will ever be able to make him forget you,” she said, gripping my shoulders and looking me straight in the eye.
“You really think I can do that?” I asked, feeling a thrill of excitement mixed with terror.
“Hazel, you have absolutely no idea how much power you have. And you’ve already let the guy go down on you, so stop being ridiculous and get some real action.”
God, Chl was impossible. But she wasn’t wrong. I looked at her with what I hoped was a seductive smile and said, “Help me pick out an outfit?”
“Yes! I’m going to make you look so hot that man won’t be able to concentrate on anything else all day.”
She grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the bedroom, already planning the look that would, according to her, give Liam a heart attack.
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