Chapter 143
Maya's POV:
The door clicked shut. Silence filled the entryway.
I stood there for a moment, processing what had just happened. Then I turned to look at Adam.
"Why are you back today?" I asked.
Adam’s sharp edges softened instantly. He stepped closer. "I missed you."
A smile tugged at my lips. "Did you dump all your work on James Cooper again and run away?"
Adam reached out and gently rubbed his thumb over my knuckles. "There was a problem with the supply chain data in Austin. I couldn't solve it immediately, so I came back first."
"Is it difficult?"
"It's fine," he said. "But I’ll have to fly back before New Year’s."
I nodded. I grabbed his wrist to look at his watch. My eyes went wide.
"Oh no," I gasped. "I forgot to pick up Amy."
"We’ll go together," Adam said. He laced his fingers through mine and pulled me toward the door.
We took Adam’s car. The heating was on, creating a warm shelter against the Boston winter. Adam drove with one hand on the wheel. He reached over with the other to hold my hand.
"Maya," he said softly. "If you’re upset, tell me. Don't keep it inside."
I turned my head to look at him. The streetlights flickered across his face.
"It hurts a little," I admitted.
I looked down at our joined hands. "Adam, do you think I was a bad woman in a past life? Did I do terrible things? Is that why I met parents like this in this life?"
Patricia didn't love me. Arthur only wanted to use me.
Adam squeezed my hand. He brought it up to his lips for a brief second.
"Maya, it has nothing to do with you," he said firmly. "You have to know that not all parents love their children. You were just unlucky. You met the wrong ones."
He glanced at me, his eyes serious. "But a person can't be unlucky forever. You have me. You have Amy. My grandmother and my father like you very much. You are going to be surrounded by love from now on."
My eyes felt hot. I turned my head toward the window so he wouldn't see. A single tear escaped and fell onto the black leather seat.
Adam didn't let go of my hand. He pulled it up to his lips again.
"If you are crying because you are moved or happy, I’ll allow it," he said gently. "But if you are crying because you are sad, I won't allow it."
I wiped my eyes quickly and turned back to glare at him. "You even manage my crying now?"
Adam laughed. "Yes. If you’re with me, I want every day to be happy for you. I want you to be sweet."
"You’re being cheesy again!"
"Don't you like it?"
I sniffled, my voice thick with emotion. "Yeah. I like it."
"Good. Then I’ll keep doing it."
We drove in comfortable silence for a while. The city lights blurred past us. My mind drifted back to Arthur Hayes.
"Adam," I said, my tone serious. "About Arthur... I know he’s biologically my father, but I have no feelings for him. If he asks you for money or investment, ignore him. Don't give him anything."
"Everything I have is yours," Adam said simply. "If you say no, then it’s no."
I smiled. It was a sweet thing to say, but I didn't take it literally. I didn't need Adam’s money. I had the house. I had fifty million dollars in my account from the Garrison settlement. I was technically a rich woman. I didn't buy luxury goods, so that money was more than enough for a lifetime. I didn't want Adam’s assets. I just wanted him.
When we arrived at Sunny Days, the line of parents was gone. I felt a pang of guilt. I called the teacher from the car.
A few minutes later, the teacher walked Amy out. She was bundled up in her green coat.
I thanked the teacher and helped Amy into the car seat.
"Baby, I'm sorry," I said, buckling her in. "Something came up. Did you wait long?"
Amy sat quietly, swinging her legs. "It’s okay, Mommy. I read a book for a while. The time went fast."
I smiled at her. My daughter was too good.
We drove back to the townhouse. The evening settled into a domestic rhythm. I went into the kitchen to cook. Adam rolled up his sleeves and helped wash vegetables. Amy sat on the living room rug, building a Lego car. After dinner and a bath, I sent Adam to read Amy a bedtime story.
Diane’s POV:
The house was quiet until Arthur walked in. I saw the look on his face and I exploded.
"Arthur Hayes!" I shouted. "What is the meaning of this? Do you not want this family anymore?"
I followed him into the living room. "If you want a divorce, just say it! You want to divorce me so you can marry Patricia and bring her and that bastard back, don't you?"
Arthur slumped onto the sofa. "I don't want a divorce, Diane. Stop imagining things."
"Imagining things? You went to find that bastard! Did I imagine that?"
"Can you stop making a scene? I went to find Maya for the company!"
I froze. "What?"
"She is Adam Sterling’s favorite. She gave birth to a child for the Sterling family. I thought if I talked to her, she could talk to Adam. We need Sterling Global to inject capital into our Seaport project."
I stared at him, breathing hard. "Is that really the only reason?"
"Of course! If I wanted to bring her back, I would have done it years ago. Why wait until now?"
I calmed down slightly.
But the thought of Maya marrying into the Sterling family made me sick. It meant Patricia’s daughter would rank above mine.
"You should make sure she can't marry into the Sterling family," I said bitterly. "Our daughter Tiffany should be the one marrying Adam. Why should that bastard get the best life?"
Arthur frowned. "Adam doesn't like Tiffany. We know that. If we annoy the Sterling family now, we’ll end up with nothing."
The Hayes family interests were my interests. If the company failed, my lifestyle failed.
I took a deep breath. "Did Maya agree to help?"
"No," Arthur said, grimacing.
I scowled. "Why didn't she agree? Ungrateful girl."
Arthur sighed. "Maya just found out I’m her father. She’s not close to me yet. It’s understandable she didn't agree immediately. I’ll invite her to dinner in a few days. Once we’re familiar, she’ll be willing to help."
I looked at him sharply. "Fine. But you are not allowed to give her money. Our money belongs to Marcus and Tiffany."
"I know," Arthur said. "I know who my real family is."
"Good," I said, pressing the cotton swab down hard. "If I find out you gave her anything, I’m not done with you."