Chapter 142
Maya's POV:
"So, you're really doing this?" I asked, holding the phone against my ear while I tidied the kitchen island. "You guys are together?"
There was a brief pause on the other end. "Sort of," Chloe said, her voice sounding lighter than it had in weeks.
"Did you cancel your lease?"
"Yeah."
"Congratulations on un-singling yourself."
"Shut up," Chloe laughed. "When is Adam coming back?"
I glanced at the calendar. "Two more days. It’s year-end. He’s stuck in meetings."
The doorbell chimed, echoing through the quiet townhouse.
"Someone’s here," I said. "I have to go. We’ll talk later."
I hung up and walked to the foyer. I checked the peephole. A middle-aged man stood on the porch. He wore a tailored suit, and though he had aged, I could tell he used to be handsome.
I opened the door. "Can I help you?"
The man stared at me for a long moment. His eyes felt heavy, scanning my face with an intensity that made me uncomfortable.
"My name is Arthur Hayes."
I frowned. The name sounded familiar, but I couldn't place it immediately.
Seeing my confusion, he added, "I’m Marcus and Tiffany’s father."
My stomach dropped. I stared at him, stunned.
"What do you want?" I asked, my voice hardening.
"Can I come in?" Arthur asked.
"No," I said, blocking the doorway. "Say what you need to say here."
He looked around the street, clearly uncomfortable with the lack of privacy. Then he looked me dead in the eye.
"I’m your father."
"Excuse me?"
"Your mother is Patricia, right?" Arthur said, his voice lowering. "I am your biological father."
I stood there, frozen. Patricia never told me who my father was. When I was small, I asked once. She beat me so badly I couldn't sit for two days. I never asked again.
I stepped back, my hand shaking slightly as I pulled the door open. "Come in."
Arthur walked into the townhouse. He scanned around.
"Adam treats you well," he noted. "This is a nice place."
I remained standing. My heart was pounding against my ribs. "How do you know Patricia?"
A flicker of embarrassment crossed his face. "We were together for a while."
"She was your mistress?" I asked bluntly. Marcus and Tiffany were older than me. That meant he was already married to Diane when I was conceived.
"It wasn't that simple," Arthur said defensively. "I loved your mother."
"Don't," I snapped. "Don't dress it up. You cheated on your wife."
"Maya, please. When you were born, I held you. You were tiny. Barely five pounds."
"So what happened?" I asked. "Why did you leave?"
"Diane found out," he said, looking at his hands. "For the sake of the family... for the business... I had to end it. I gave your mother a large sum of money. I told her to raise you well."
I let out a bitter laugh. So that was where Patricia’s money came from. The money she hoarded. The money she refused to spend on me while I wore ragged clothes and ate leftovers.
"She hates me," Arthur said. "But I never thought she would treat you poorly. She’s your mother. I assumed the money would ensure you had a good life."
I didn't say anything.
"If I had known she was so cruel," Arthur continued, watching my expression, "I would have fought for custody. I wouldn't have let you suffer."
I looked at him sharply. "Really? You would have raised me? Would your wife have agreed to that?"
Arthur’s eyes darted away. "I would have convinced her."
"Stop it," I scoffed. "Save the act. I’m not a three-year-old. You can't buy me with a sad story."
"Maya, I am your father. I care about you."
"You didn't care for twenty-six years," I said. "You didn't look for me. You forgot I existed. Now you show up out of nowhere? Why? What do you want?"
He paused. He seemed to realize I wasn't going to play the weeping, grateful daughter.
Arthur cleared his throat. "My company... we have a project in the Seaport District. The capital chain is tight. I need you to talk to Adam. I need Sterling Global to inject capital."
I stared at him. "You want money."
"I want an investment," he corrected. "If you can get Adam to agree, I’ll give you two percent of Hayes Enterprises shares."
"I’m not interested in your shares."
"Two percent is millions. Don't be naive, Maya." Arthur stood up, looming over me. "Adam is a Sterling. Men like him get bored. Without a powerful family behind you, you have zero leverage. You need Hayes Enterprises in your corner to survive that marriage."
"Mr. Hayes," I said, my voice steady. "I survived twenty-six years without you just fine. Do you really think I’m stupid enough to buy your 'protection' with Adam’s checkbook?"
Arthur ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. "You’re stubborn. You don't understand how this world works. He spoils you now, but when he gets tired—and he will—you’ll wish you had a family to fall back on."
"Is that right?"
A deep, cold voice cut through the air.
Arthur froze.
I turned toward the hallway. Adam stood there, his eyes were sharp and dangerous.
Arthur’s face paled. "Mr. Sterling."
"You’re standing in my living room, telling my woman I’m going to cheat on her. You’re trying to ruin my marriage before it even starts." Adam said, his voice low and terrifying.
"No, no," Arthur stammered. "I want you two to be happy. I... I have good news, actually. Maya is my daughter. We’re going to be a family."
Adam looked down at me, then back at Arthur with a sneer. "You must be confused. Maya’s father is dead. She never knew him. Don't go around claiming my wife as your daughter."
I suppressed a smile. Adam’s tongue was sharp as a razor.
Arthur looked insulted. "I am telling the truth. I had a relationship with her mother years ago."
"You mean you cheated on your wife and abandoned your mistress," I corrected.
Arthur flinched. He looked at Adam, trying to salvage the situation. "Adam, look, I admit I made some missteps in my youth. But I’m grateful for Maya now. And surely, you count yourself lucky to have her, too?"
Adam scoffed.
Arthur pressed on, desperate. "I know you love her. You have a child together. I’ll talk to your father, Robert. We’ll arrange a grand wedding. The Hayes family will host—"
"Stop," I said, stepping forward. "Why would you host my wedding? You have nothing to do with me."
"I’m your father."
"You want to be my father?" I asked, tilting my head. "Fine. Here are my conditions."
Arthur looked hopeful.
"Divorce Diane. Disown Marcus and Tiffany. Kick Marcus out of the company. Write a will leaving everything to me. Do that, and maybe I’ll acknowledge you."
Arthur stared at me, his mouth hanging open. "You... you’re joking. I can't do that."
"Then don't stand here pretending to be my dad," I said coldly. "I didn't have a father before today, and I don't need one now."