Chapter 127
This morning, Mrs. Sterling called.
"The chef prepared that lobster mac and cheese you and Amy like," she said, her voice crackling with authority over the phone. "Don't bother cooking tonight. Come to the estate."
I waited for Amy to finish her art class, then drove us straight to Beacon Hill.
The estate was quiet when we arrived. To my surprise, Robert was sitting in the living room. It was the middle of a workday.
"Robert?" I walked in, holding Amy’s hand. "You didn't go to the office?"
Robert looked up from his tablet. His stern expression melted the moment he saw Amy. He set the device aside and reached out. "Not much happening today. Thought I’d rest at home for once."
Amy didn't hesitate. She climbed onto the sofa and let Robert pull her into a gentle hug.
I nodded and sat down across from Mrs. Sterling. We chatted about Amy’s classes for a few minutes until the housekeeper appeared.
"Sir," she said to Robert. "There is a woman at the gate. She says her name is Katherine."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop. Robert’s face hardened instantly. Mrs. Sterling set her teacup down with a sharp clink. Her expression turned dark.
"What is she doing here?" Mrs. Sterling snapped.
Robert sighed. "Let her in."
A few moments later, the housekeeper led Katherine into the room. She was dressed in an expensive suit, but her eyes looked anxious. She stopped when she saw me, freezing for a second before recovering.
She looked at Robert. He ignored her, his attention focused entirely on Amy’s hair.
She turned to the old lady. "Mom."
Mrs. Sterling turned her head away sharply. "Don't call me that. You divorced Robert twenty years ago. That title is inappropriate."
Katherine’s face flushed red. She looked back at her ex-husband. "Robert."
Robert finally glanced at her. His voice was flat. "Do you have business here?"
Katherine looked at me, her eyes narrowing. "I do. Can we go to the study?"
"No need," Robert said. "Say it here. There are no outsiders in this room."
She stiffened, then sat down on a side chair uninvited. Her gaze drifted to Amy, who was still tucked under Robert’s arm.
"Adam says this child is his," Katherine said, her voice tight. "I just wanted to ask... have you done a paternity test? Are you absolutely certain she is Adam’s?"
Mrs. Sterling exploded.
"Get out!" The old woman didn't shout, but the venom in her voice was terrifying. "Does the Sterling family business concern you? Who do you think you are? My great-granddaughter is my great-granddaughter. We don't need a piece of paper to prove it!"
Katherine’s expression turned ugly. "I am Adam’s mother. Of course I have the right to care. You haven't done a test, so how do you know? Some people have bad intentions. Who knows if she didn't have a kid with someone else and pinned it on Adam?"
"Bullshit!" Mrs. Sterling swore. "Are you blind? Can’t you see the resemblance? Oh, wait—you wouldn't remember. You abandoned Adam when he was seven. How could you remember what he looked like?"
"We are talking about the child," Katherine argued, her face pale. "Why bring me into it?"
"Because you have no shame," Mrs. Sterling shot back. "If I were you, I would hide in a hole. How do you have the face to show up here?"
Katherine bit her lip so hard it turned white. "I gave birth to him. I carried him inside me. Doesn't that count for anything? I gave him life! How can you speak to me like this?"
"If you hadn't given birth to him, I would have dragged you out of this house myself," Mrs. Sterling said, her voice like ice. "Katherine, stay out of our affairs. Let me be clear: Amy is Adam’s child. Everyone in this house accepts her."
Katherine looked helpless. She turned to Robert, desperate for support. "Robert, say something. Are you really going to accept a child of unknown origin?"
Robert looked at her coldly. "Katherine, my mother’s stance is mine. Amy is a Sterling."
"Without a test, that is negligence!" Katherine cried out. "You are being irresponsible!"
"Show the guest out!" Robert barked toward the hallway.
Katherine stood there for a second, humiliated. She looked at the united front of the Sterling family, then at me. Finally, she turned and stormed out.
The room fell silent.
Mrs. Sterling sighed, her anger draining away. She looked at me apologetically. "Maya, don't take that to heart. That woman’s words mean nothing. We consider you and Amy family."
I smiled softly. "I know, Grandma."
I wasn't worried. I had given birth to Amy. I knew exactly who the father was. Katherine’s doubts were annoying, but the Sterling family’s defense of us was heartwarming.
"I'm glad you don't overthink it," Mrs. Sterling grumbled. "Seeing her makes my blood pressure spike. Why is she back after twenty years?"
"I heard she divorced her husband," Robert said calmly.
"No wonder!" Mrs. Sterling rolled her eyes. Then she narrowed them at her son. "Robert, tell me the truth. Do you still have feelings for her?"
Robert looked baffled. "Mom, why would you think that? Of course not."
"Then why haven't you remarried?" she pressed. "If you aren't pining for her, what is it?"
"I've been busy," Robert said, sounding weary. "Running the conglomerate doesn't leave time for romance. I have no feelings for Katherine."
"Good," Mrs. Sterling said. "I won't let that woman back in. But really, Robert, do you plan to be alone forever? Should I introduce you to someone?"
Robert stood up immediately. "I just remembered I have work to do. I’m leaving."
The drive back to our apartment on Marlborough Street was quiet. Usually, Amy chatted about everything. Today, she stared out the window.
"Mommy," she asked suddenly, her voice muffled. "Is it possible that I'm really not Daddy's daughter?"
My heart seized. I glanced at her in the rearview mirror.
"Amy, why would you think that?" I asked. "Is it because of what that woman said?"
Amy nodded. "And before... Auntie Margaret said it too. Maybe I should do a test with Daddy? To make sure?"
I felt a sharp pain in my chest. She was four. She shouldn't be worrying about this. But the repeated doubts from adults were getting to her.
"Okay," I said. "If it makes you feel better, we will do the test. We'll make those people shut up. Okay?"
When we got home, Adam was already there. He sat on the sofa, loosening his tie. He noticed my mood immediately.
"Maya?" He pulled me down to sit beside him. "What are you thinking about?"
I looked at him. "Your mother went to the estate today."
Adam’s expression turned icy. "Katherine?"
"She suspects Amy isn't yours," I said tiredly. "She demanded a paternity test in front of everyone."
Adam frowned. "Ignore her. She has no right to speak."
"It's not about her, Adam," I said. "It's Amy. She heard it. She’s starting to doubt herself now. She spent the whole ride home wondering if she’s a fake."