Chapter 139
Maya's POV:
I lay across Adam’s lap, idly twisting a button on his pajamas. He was scrolling through emails on his phone, his other hand resting heavily on my hip. The morning sun was just starting to warm the room.
"Adam," I said, looking up at his sharp jawline. "You and Parker are close, right?"
He didn't look down. "Mmh. We grew up together."
"So you know him well. Do you think he’s actually serious about Chloe?"
Adam finally lowered the phone. He looked at me, his eyes thoughtful. "Parker isn't like Ethan. Ethan plays around. Parker… he’s intense. When he commits, he’s serious. He is a lot like me in that regard."
I pinched his waist. "Narcissist."
"Is it narcissism if it's true?" He raised an eyebrow.
"No. But let's focus on Parker."
Adam frowned slightly, clearly annoyed that the topic wasn't him. But he answered. "Parker dated a girl in college. It didn't work out. He was single for years after that. He dated someone briefly a few years ago, maybe for a month. I have never seen him chase a woman to her office before. He is obsessed with Chloe."
I chewed on my lip. "If Chloe agrees, will the Palmer family accept it?"
"Preston and Sue are decent people," Adam said. "But Parker is their heir. When it comes to marriage, families like ours… it’s complicated."
"That tells me nothing."
"It tells you they aren't unreasonable, but they have expectations."
I sighed. At least they weren't monsters. Hopefully, they wouldn't humiliate Chloe publicly.
Adam set his phone on the nightstand. He brushed a strand of hair away from my face. "Stop worrying about them. They need to figure it out themselves."
I grabbed his index finger and bit it gently.
Adam’s eyes darkened instantly. "Are you seducing me?"
I let go of his hand. "Seducing you? I breathe and you think I'm seducing you. Is that all your brain processes?"
"Then why did you bite me?"
"I just felt like biting something."
"I think you’re just looking for trouble," he growled. In one smooth motion, he flipped me over, pinning me into the mattress. "You need to be taught a lesson."
I pushed against his chest. "Adam, I’m not seducing you. Seriously, let me rest. I’m tired."
He stared down at me, his gaze hot and heavy. "Baby, if I say you’re seducing me, you’re seducing me."
"You are so annoying. Get off."
He lowered his head, his lips grazing my ear. "Baby. Just once."
Diane’s POV:
The morning call had ruined my day. Maya Bennett. She was Patricia’s daughter.
It was a sick joke. Patricia, the woman who had haunted my marriage for decades, now had a daughter who was stealing the man my Tiffany deserved. A bastard child trying to marry into the Sterling family? Over my dead body.
In the back of the Mercedes, I fixed Tiffany’s collar. "When we get to the Sterlings', behave yourself. Be sweet."
Tiffany nodded eagerly. "I know, Mom. But I thought you said there was no hope? Why are we going back?"
"You like Adam," I said, suppressing my headache. "I’m your mother. It’s my job to fight for you."
"Thank you, Mom! I love you!" She hugged my arm.
We arrived at the Beacon Hill estate. Mrs. Sterling received us in the drawing room. The old woman looked as sharp as ever.
"Tiffany, look at you. You’ve grown into quite the young lady," Mrs. Sterling said after the maid poured tea.
"Time flies," I said with a polite smile. "The children grow up so fast, don't they? Makes us feel our age."
Tiffany chimed in immediately. "Mrs. Sterling, you haven't aged a day! You look radiant." She offered the teacup to the matriarch. "Here you go."
"Such a sweet girl," Mrs. Sterling noted. "Whoever marries you will be a lucky man."
Tiffany lowered her head. "Oh, I don't have a boyfriend yet."
"No rush," Mrs. Sterling said, sipping her tea.
I was about to steer the conversation, but Tiffany was too impatient. "Grandma Sterling, I’ve always liked Adam. Can… can you help me? I want to marry him."
The room went quiet. Mrs. Sterling’s expression cooled. I glared at Tiffany, but it was too late.
"Mrs. Sterling," I said quickly, forcing a laugh. "You know Tiffany. She just wears her heart on her sleeve. She doesn't mean any harm."
"I appreciate honesty," Mrs. Sterling said coolly. "But Adam and Tiffany simply aren't meant to be. My grandson has a girlfriend."
"Oh?" I feigned surprise. "Which family is she from?"
"She’s from a normal family."
"A normal family?" I let my concern show. "Mrs. Sterling, surely you’re joking. How can a girl like that match Adam? Marriages in our circle rely on shared backgrounds. A girl with no connections… it’s too risky. You don't know her parents or her history. Adam needs someone safe. Someone from our world."
Mrs. Sterling’s face hardened. "The Sterling family does not need a marriage for capital. We care about who Adam loves. And we have met the girl. She is exceptional. Adam is the lucky one. They have been together for five years. She even gave Adam a daughter. My great-granddaughter is four, and she is precious."
Tiffany stood up, her face flushed. "Mrs. Sterling, five years is a long time! How do you know that child is Adam's? You could be being played!"
Snap.
Mrs. Sterling slammed her teacup down. "I know my own blood! Who do you think you are, coming into my house and questioning my family? I thought you were a sweet girl, but you're just disrespectful! Get out. Don't come back here."
That evening, Arthur came home in a rage.
"Who told you to go to the Sterlings?" he shouted, slamming his briefcase. "Robert called me personally! Do you know how embarrassing that was? If you can't help the business, at least stop sabotaging me!"
I screamed back. "Don't take your incompetence out on me! If you were a better businessman, we wouldn't be desperate for a merger!"
Arthur’s hand moved. Slap.
The sound echoed in the room. I stumbled back, clutching my cheek.
"Arthur… you hit me?"
Arthur looked at his hand, shocked. "Diane, I… I’m sorry. I didn't mean—"
"Get out!" I screamed at the maids. "Everyone get out!"
When the room cleared, I flew at him. I clawed at his face, leaving red welts. Arthur shoved me onto the sofa to protect himself.
"Stop it! You're acting crazy!" he yelled. "I said I was sorry!"
I sat there, hair disheveled, chest heaving. I looked at him with pure hatred.
"If it were Patricia standing here," I whispered venomously, "would you have hit her?"
Arthur went pale. "Why are you bringing her up?"
"Why shouldn't I? Are you guilty?"
"I haven't seen Patricia in years," Arthur said wearily. "We are done."
"Are you?" I laughed hysterically. "Then how do you explain Patricia being in Boston?"
Arthur froze. "She’s here?"
"Not only is she here," I spat, watching his face closely. "But she brought that bastard daughter of hers."