Chapter 136
We finished a big dinner and went home together. Amy was full of energy and dragged me into her room to read two picture books.
When I finished and stood up to leave, Amy grabbed my hand. Her big eyes looked worried.
"Mommy, now that I have a Daddy, do you love me less?"
I froze. I sat back down on the edge of the bed and rubbed her small cheek. "Why would you think that?"
Amy frowned. "Since Daddy moved in, I don't see you as much. Daddy is always hogging you. Do you love Daddy more than me?"
I almost laughed. My daughter was fighting for favor.
"Don't worry," I said softly. "I love you the most."
Her eyes widened. "Really? More than Daddy?"
"Yes. You are my heart and soul. My absolute favorite."
Amy smiled, relieved. "Mommy, I love you the most too."
"Go to sleep."
"Goodnight, Mommy."
"Goodnight, baby."
I pulled the door shut and turned around. Adam was leaning against the wall, staring at me with a dangerous look in his eyes.
I shrank back slightly. "What are you doing?"
Adam stepped closer. He reached out and brushed his fingers against my neck. Just as I thought he might choke me, his hand slid down to my shoulder, and he pulled me into his arms.
"Nothing. Let's go to sleep."
I looked at him suspiciously, but I followed him to the master bedroom.
As soon as the door clicked shut, Adam revealed his true colors. He pressed me against the door panel.
"You love Amy the most?"
"You heard that?"
"Yeah, I heard it. You said Amy is your heart and soul."
"Of course," I said. "I gave birth to her. Naturally, she is my heart and soul."
"What about me?"
I looked at his darkening eyes and lost my nerve. "You are also my heart and soul."
Adam’s fingers tapped lightly on my neck. "But Amy is the favorite. Does that mean I..."
"You are tied!" I said quickly. "You and Amy are both my favorites. It’s a tie."
Adam laughed out loud. "Really?"
"Really!"
"Good. Then you can sleep with your favorite person now."
He suddenly scooped me up and carried me to the big bed.
I cupped his face and planted a quick kiss on his lips. "I need to take a leave of absence tonight. I'm so tired. I just want to sleep."
Adam placed me on the mattress. He leaned over and kissed me deeply. Just as I was wondering if we were going to do it anyway, he rolled off the bed and walked quickly into the bathroom.
I stared at the ceiling for a moment, calming my racing heart. By the time Adam came back, I was already asleep.
The next morning, I woke up early to make breakfast.
Amy had a great appetite. She ate her pancakes with enthusiasm.
Adam glanced at her. "Slow down. No one is going to rob you."
Amy took a bite of her egg pancake and mumbled, "You will rob me."
I realized that since I started sleeping with Adam, I hadn't made breakfast once. No wonder his grandmother moved back to the Beacon Hill estate.
Adam reached out with his fork and stole the remaining half of the pancake from Amy's plate.
Amy’s eyes instantly turned red.
"Adam!" I scolded. I quickly moved the pancake from my plate to Amy's. "Baby, eat this one. Mommy is full."
Amy wiped her eyes. "Thank you, Mommy! Mommy loves me the most." She took a bite and shot a provocative look at Adam.
Adam scoffed. "Always talking about love. It’s so mushy."
Amy retorted, "Mommy says you have to say it out loud. You don't understand."
Adam scoffed again. I glared at him, warning him with my eyes to stop. He was a grown man, the CEO of a global empire, yet he was jealous of a four-year-old.
After breakfast, Adam went to the office and took Amy to drop her off at daycare.
I planned to continue organizing the sunroom, but my phone rang. It was Ryan.
"Maya," he said. "Mom says she isn't feeling well. I just started this new job and I’m swamped. I can't get away. Can you take her to the hospital for a checkup?"
I was silent for a moment. "Fine. Send me the address. I'll go get her."
Ryan hung up and texted me an address. It was an apartment complex. She must be renting.
Staying in hotels was expensive, and Ryan’s salary couldn't cover it. His paycheck barely covered his daily expenses. I knew Patricia had bought his house in cash and covered the entire cost of his wedding.
Patricia had money. I had once accidentally seen her bank balance—millions of dollars. She hadn't worked in years, so I didn't know where the money came from. I was curious, but I never asked. Asking wouldn't get me an answer anyway.
I drove to the address Ryan sent. I knocked on the door. A minute later, it opened. Patricia stood there, her face grim. She didn't speak.
I didn't go inside. I stood in the hallway. "Ryan said you aren't feeling well. I'm here to take you to the doctor."
Patricia turned around, grabbed her bag, changed her shoes, and walked out. She headed straight for the elevator without a word to me. I followed her.
The car ride was silent. Patricia didn't speak, and I didn't want to talk either.
At the hospital, I handled the registration and took her for the tests. While we waited for the results, we sat on separate benches, like strangers.
Finally, we got the results. There was nothing serious. Just some minor issues common for her age. The doctor said she just needed to maintain a healthy lifestyle. He didn't even prescribe medicine.
Patricia was furious. "This hospital is unreliable. I feel sick, but they can't find anything. They are quacks. I want to go to a different hospital."
I looked at her calmly. "Isn't it better that they didn't find anything? Did you want them to find cancer cells spreading? Did you want a terminal diagnosis?"
Patricia glared at me with hatred. "Are you hoping I die early?"
"You're wrong," I said. "I have no expectations for you at all."
I was learning to treat her like a stranger who just happened to share my blood. Patricia huffed and walked angrily toward the exit. I smirked slightly and followed.
Near the entrance, Patricia suddenly stopped. Her face went pale, and she stared darkly at a spot nearby.
I followed her gaze. I saw Diane Hayes—Marcus’s mother. Diane looked over and saw us. Her face showed shock first, then it turned dark and gloomy.
I was confused. Patricia suddenly turned and walked quickly toward my car. I didn't have time to look at Diane again. I hurried after my mother.
We got into the car. I glanced at Patricia in the backseat. She looked shaken.
"Do you know that woman?" I asked.
"I don't know her!" Patricia snapped. Her voice was agitated, almost through gritted teeth.