Chapter 129
Chloe's POV:
Dinner ended, but the air remained heavy. Parker kept looking at me. He clearly wanted to talk. I turned my head away. I had ignored him for days. I needed to hold my ground.
I looked for Maya to distract myself. But she looked guilty. She grabbed a stack of dirty bowls and hurried toward the kitchen. Adam Sterling followed right behind her. His face was dark. He carried the rest of the dishes without a word.
Inside the kitchen, the silence was thick. Adam moved slowly. He placed the bowls into the dishwasher with precise movements. Maya bit her lip and glanced at him. He didn't speak. He finished loading the machine, tied up a black trash bag, and walked out the back door.
Ethan Blackwood was standing near the entryway. He watched Adam carry the bag with intense seriousness.
"Sterling," Ethan asked, leaning in. "What do you have there?"
Adam glanced at him. His face was unreadable. "Good food."
Ethan’s eyes lit up. "I want some! Give it here!"
Adam paused. The corner of his mouth twitched. He waited a beat, then handed the black bag to Ethan.
Ethan grabbed it excitedly. He tore open the knot. He looked inside and froze.
I couldn't help it. I burst out laughing. "You actually wanted to eat trash! That is the funniest thing I've seen all year."
Parker chuckled. Even Amy started giggling from the rug.
Adam smirked. He took the bag back from a stunned Ethan and walked out the door.
"I thought about it," Ethan explained, his face red. "I knew it was a black bag. But I just couldn't imagine Adam Sterling holding garbage. I assume he never touches the stuff."
His excuse was weak. We just kept laughing.
Maya came out of the kitchen a moment later. "What’s so funny?"
"Don't tell her!" Ethan shouted immediately.
Maya didn't press him. She grabbed my arm and headed upstairs.
We went up to the second floor. I walked around her room. "Sterling knows you well," I said. "This decor is exactly your style."
Maya sat on the bed. She looked serious. "Chloe, did you and Parker fight?"
I looked at my nails. "No."
"Don't lie. Everyone could see the tension downstairs."
I sighed and sat next to her. "We didn't fight. I just... I don't want to sleep with him anymore."
"You seemed satisfied before," Maya said, eyeing me suspiciously. "Why the change? Met someone new?"
"Just bored," I lied. "One flavor gets old fast."
"So there's no new guy?"
"No."
"Then be honest with me."
I was silent for a moment. "Maya, do you know Parker's family is wealthy?"
"I assumed so. He drives a Lamborghini and grew up with Adam."
"He is the only son of the Palmer family," I said. "I work for his family's company. His dad is my boss."
Maya’s eyes widened.
"If the board finds out I'm sleeping with the heir, I'm done," I said. "If I have to choose between a man and my career, I choose my career."
"If you really like him, you can change jobs," Maya suggested. "You are talented."
I smiled bitterly. "Is it worth the trouble? What if we get bored of each other in a year? It's just sex."
But deep down, I knew it would be hard to find someone like Parker again.
Maya looked at me. "You like him. That's why you are running away."
I didn't deny it. "Maybe a little."
If Parker was just a normal guy, maybe we could have a future. But the Palmer family? It was too complicated. I killed the thought.
I said goodbye to Maya and went home. I stepped out of the elevator and froze. A tall figure stood at my door.
Parker.
I composed myself and walked over. I unlocked the door. Parker followed me inside.
"Do you need something?" I asked.
"I'm not accepting this breakup," Parker said.
I laughed. "Boy, we were never 'together.' You can't break up with a fuck buddy."
Parker frowned. "Do you have a heart?"
"No."
We stared at each other. Finally, Parker sighed. He looked defeated. "Fine. Fuck buddies. You liked my skills in bed, right? Let's continue that."
I found it funny. "Rich boy, you have money. You can find any girl. Why me?"
"Because we fit," he said.
I walked into my bedroom.
Parker followed. He wrapped his arms around me from behind. His voice became low and pitiful.
"Ma'am... just one more time."
I hated my weak will. I hated how easily I let him seduce me. But once again, I ended up in bed with Parker.
That night, Parker was relentless. He worshipped my body. By the time we finished, a dangerous thought crept into my mind. Maybe just two more times.
Maya's POV:
That night, I waited in the bedroom. The door never opened.
Is he actually mad? I thought. I never said we were exclusive. He's smart; he should get the nuance. Is he suddenly protecting his virtue?
He started this game. Why was he sulking now? Is he that petty?
I got angry too. I flopped back onto the pillows. Fine. If he doesn't come, I'll sleep better alone.
The next morning, Adam ate breakfast in stony silence and left for work the moment he finished. I glared at the empty hallway. Still angry? Fine.
"Amy," I said. "Let's go to the flower market."
Amy put away her tablet. "Okay, Mom."
We drove to the market. Halfway there, Grandma Sterling called.
"Maya, where are you?"
Twenty minutes later, Grandma arrived at the market. We shopped all morning. My car couldn't fit the plants, so I called a delivery truck.
When we got home, a dozen men in black suits stood at the door.
"I called them," Grandma said happily.
She directed them. They moved all the heavy plants to the upstairs sunroom in ten minutes. I didn't lift a finger.
Time passed. I arranged flowers. Amy had her tutor. Grandma napped.
At dinner time, Robert Sterling and Adam came back together.
Amy walked up to them. She handed a folded paper to Robert. Then she handed one to Grandma.
"What is this?" Grandma asked. She put on her glasses. "Paternity test?"
She didn't read the result. She grabbed a plush toy from the sofa and threw it at Adam.
Adam blocked it. "What did I do?"
"You tested her?" Grandma yelled. "Don't you know your own blood? Why do you need a paper?"
"It wasn't for me," Adam sighed. "Amy was anxious. She suspected she wasn't my daughter. I did it for her peace of mind."
Grandma looked at Amy. "Is that true?"
Amy nodded.
Grandma smiled. "You should have said so earlier." She smoothed out the paper. "Good. If anyone gossips now, I'll shove this right in their face."
Robert carefully folded his copy. "Amy, can I keep this?"
"Sure," Amy said. "I printed twenty copies."
Robert put it in his suit pocket with a satisfied nod.