Chapter 123
Adam's POV:
I walked through the door and loosened my tie. The apartment smelled like roasted chicken. It was a warm, welcoming scent.
In the dining room, the table was already set. Grandma and Amy sat there, holding their spoons. They looked like they were waiting for a race to start.
"Daddy, eat!" Amy shouted.
"I'm coming," I said. I went to the sink to wash my hands.
Just as I pulled out my chair, the doorbell rang.
Amy slid off her seat. "I’ll get it!"
She ran to the door. A second later, she screamed with joy. "It’s Grandpa!"
My father walked in. He rubbed Amy’s head and smiled at the room. "Well, isn't this perfect timing? I just happened to be in the neighborhood."
I narrowed my eyes. He lived in Weston. He didn't "just happen" to be in Somerville at dinner time.
"Mr. Sterling, come sit," Maya said from the kitchen. She brought another set of silverware.
We ate. My father played games with Amy. Grandma dragged Maya to the living room to watch TV. I was left to clear the table.
I grabbed the trash bags and went to the back door. As I tossed the bags into the bin, the door opened behind me.
Maya stepped out.
I grinned. "You’re clinging to me now? You followed me out just for the trash run?"
Maya didn’t smile. She kept her hands in her pockets. "Adam. A woman came by today. She said she was your mother."
My smile vanished. "What did she say?"
"She told me to stay away from you."
Rage spiked in my chest. I walked over and put my hands on her shoulders. "Don't listen to her. If she comes back, do not open the door."
Maya looked up. "But... she’s your mother."
"I have no relationship with her."
"She didn't want this family," I said. "She didn't want me. You don't have to listen to her. If she bothers you, call me. Or just curse her out."
Maya let out a small, dry laugh. "I actually slammed the door in her face. She was pretty angry."
I pulled her into my arms and held her tight. "Good. You did exactly the right thing."
My father finally stood up to leave. He lingered at the door for ten minutes, reluctant to say goodbye to Amy.
But that was just the start.
Over the next few days, Robert showed up every evening.
By Thursday, I was annoyed. I sat at the dinner table, glaring. My father was on one side. Grandma was on the other. Amy was chatting loudly. The house was full.
I just want five minutes alone with her.
Dinner finally ended. My father left. Grandma and Amy went to their rooms. Silence fell over the living room.
Maya sat on the sofa, eating an apple. I sat next to her. Her phone buzzed on the coffee table.
She picked it up. "Hello, Mr. Garrison."
My head snapped up.
"Julian," the voice on the other end said. I could hear him clearly. "I'm not your boss anymore."
Maya frowned. "I'm used to Mr. Garrison. It feels weird otherwise."
"Fine," Julian said. "Maya, my engagement ceremony is the day after tomorrow. Can we meet tomorrow?"
Maya shook her head. "I don't have time tomorrow."
"Just one hour."
I couldn't take it anymore.
I snatched the phone out of Maya's hand.
"Hey, Garrison," I barked into the receiver. "Are you deaf? She said no. Why are you harassing her?"
"Adam?" Julian’s voice turned hard.
"She isn't meeting you," I growled. "You're about to get engaged. Go bother your fiancée. If you call her again, I'm coming down there to break your legs."
I hung up and tossed the phone onto the cushion.
Maya stared at me. She took a bite of her apple. "Was that necessary? I already refused him."
"He's annoying," I muttered. "Block him. Right now."
Maya ignored me. She turned back to the TV.
I glared at her phone. I wanted to block him myself, but I didn't dare. She was still fragile with me.
On the TV screen, the music swelled. Two actors leaned in and shared a passionate kiss.
I shifted closer to her. "What are they doing?"
Maya didn't look away. "Are you blind? They're kissing."
"Is that so?"
I moved fast. I pinned her against the cushions. Before she could react, I kissed her.
Her lips tasted like apple. I pulled back. I grinned. "Sweet."
Maya’s face turned bright red. She shoved me away. She dropped the apple core and scrambled off the sofa.
"You—" She stammered.
She turned and ran up the stairs.
I chuckled. I followed her. I stood outside the master bedroom door and reached for the handle.
Locked.
I sighed. Haunted by the memory of her touch, I couldn't sleep.
The next morning, I was in my office. She called again.
I answered it.
"Adam," the voice said. "We need to talk."
My hand tightened on the phone. "No, we don't."
"Adam, please—"
"Don't call me that," I snapped. "You have the nerve to call me after you went to Maya's house? Who gave you the right to interfere in my life?"
Katherine’s voice sharpened. "She told on me? Of course she did. I did it for you. I know she has a child. I was warning her. I was worried you were being trapped."
"Worried?" I laughed harshly. "Who gave you the right?"
"I am your mother! I care about you!"
"Don't use that word," I roared. "You don't deserve that title."
"Adam, how can you say that? I wanted to take you with me when I left, but—"
"Stop," I cut her off. "I don't want to hear your excuses. Listen to me closely. Amy is my daughter. She is my blood. And Maya is the woman I am going to marry."
Silence.
"That... that child is yours?" Katherine whispered. "How is that possible?"
I threw the phone onto the desk.
That evening, I found Maya on the couch, scrolling through a travel app on her tablet.
"You want to go somewhere?" I asked.
"Yeah. I have some time now."
"I'll go with you. Where do you want to go?"
"No need," she said without looking up. "I'll take Amy. You stick to your job."
I stared at her, my mood darkening instantly.
She felt my heavy gaze and turned. "We want to go for a while. You don't have that kind of time."
I wanted to argue. I wanted to say I made the time. But the reality of the upcoming overseas trip and the massive project launch before the holidays choked the words in my throat. I was busy.
"Can't you just... not go?" I asked, my voice low. "Wait until I'm done, and I'll take you."
Maya went back to scrolling. "It’s just a spur-of-the-moment thing. Maybe the urge will pass. But I mainly want to do this for Amy. She’s over four years old, and I’ve never taken her anywhere. I feel like I’ve failed her."
I fell silent. I turned my head, staring gloomily at the closed door of Amy’s room.