Chapter 145
Maya's POV:
I stood at the kitchen sink. The warm water ran over the cutting board, rinsing away the last of the vegetable scraps. My phone buzzed in my pocket. I dried my hands and pulled it out.
The screen showed Patricia.
I swiped to answer.
"Hello?"
"I sent you an address," Patricia said abruptly. Her voice was cold. "Did you get it?"
"I saw it."
"Good." The line went dead.
I stared at the phone. I shook my head and put it down on the counter. A moment later, the front door opened.
Chloe breezed in. She shoved her purse into Parker’s chest and marched into the kitchen. Parker stumbled but caught the bag just in time.
"Maya!" Chloe wrapped her arms around me from behind. "Let me hug you."
I smiled, though my hands were still damp. "I’m fine, Chloe. Really."
"I know." Chloe squeezed tighter, then let go. She hopped onto a stool and lowered her voice. "I was thinking on the way here. The Hayes family? They are garbage. All of them. Even Marcus. Especially Arthur."
She paused, realizing what she said. "Except you. Obviously."
I turned back to the sink. "I’m not a Hayes. I don't admit to that name. He isn't my father."
Chloe laughed. "You’re right. Let those idiots rot in the Seaport. Who wants to be related to them anyway?"
"Who are we talking about?"
Adam walked into the kitchen. He loosened his tie, looking tired but relaxed. He saw Parker in the dining room, arranging plates.
"You're here?" Adam asked Parker.
Parker smirked. "I’m the plus-one today."
Adam looked at Chloe, then back to Parker. He raised an eyebrow. "So, you guys are good?"
Parker nodded. "We’re good."
Adam walked over to me. He wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed my cheek. "Hey."
"Hey," I learned back against him, soaking in his warmth. "Go get Amy. Dinner is ready."
My phone rang again. Adam glanced at the screen on the counter. Patricia.
I picked it up. "What?"
"Why aren't you here?" Patricia’s voice was shrill. "I sent the address. You need to come now."
"I didn't say I was coming," I said calmly.
"You! You are being impossible!" Patricia shouted. "This is for your own good! Get over here right now!"
I hung up.
Adam watched my face. He took the phone from my hand and set it face down. "Block her number for tonight. Let's eat."
The next day was Saturday. Adam drove Amy and me to the Sterling estate on Beacon Hill.
The house was quiet. The heavy curtains were drawn against the winter chill. Dinner was a formal affair, as always. Margaret Sterling and her family were there too.
Midway through the meal, Margaret reached under her chair. She pulled out a heavy paper bag and slid it across the table toward me.
"Take it," Margaret said.
I blinked. I didn't move immediately.
Jenna, sitting next to me, grabbed the bag. She shoved it into my arms. "Maya, take it! It’s skincare. Mom runs the Sterling Beauty division now. These are the new products. They are really good. I use them too."
Jenna grinned. "Mom wants you to try them. Don't buy your own stuff anymore. When you run out, just ask her."
Margaret glared at her daughter. "You talk too much."
I looked at Margaret. The older woman’s face was stiff, but there was no malice in her eyes. It was a peace offering. Margaret had been hostile before, protecting Adam. Now, she was accepting me.
"Thank you, Aunt Margaret," I said softly.
Margaret waved a hand dismissively. "Don't thank me. The warehouse is full of it."
I smiled. I knew what this meant. I was being let in.
Suddenly, the housekeeper entered the dining room. She looked nervous.
"Sir," she said to Robert Sterling. "There is someone at the gate."
Robert frowned. "Who?"
The housekeeper glanced quickly at Adam. "It’s... Mr. Adam's mother."
The room went silent. I saw Adam stop eating. His face turned cold. He put his fork down with a sharp clink.
Robert’s expression darkened. "Tell her to leave. I am not seeing her."
Margaret slammed her napkin onto the table. "She has the nerve to come here?"
From the hallway, a woman’s voice shouted. "Robert! I know you’re in there!"
Katherine had pushed past the gate.
Margaret stood up. She kicked off her velvet house slippers. She grabbed one in her hand.
"Margaret!" Her husband, Gregory, tried to stop her.
Margaret shoved him aside. She marched into the foyer in her stocking feet. The front door opened, and Katherine stepped in.
"Robert, I just want to—"
Thwack.
Margaret threw the slipper. It flew through the air and hit Katherine square in the nose.
Katherine shrieked. She stumbled back, clutching her face. The slipper dropped to the floor.
"What is wrong with you?" Katherine screamed.
Margaret didn't stop. She walked over, picked up her slipper, and put it back on. Then she put her hands on her hips.
"Katherine!" Margaret yelled. "What are you doing here? Do you want a beating?"
Katherine’s face was red. "You crazy woman! I’m not here for you! I’m here for my husband!"
"Ex-husband!" Margaret shouted. "If I were you, I would hide in Europe! You abandoned this family. You abandoned Adam. Who gave you the face to come back?"
"This is between Robert and me! You are just a sister who married out!"
"I am a Sterling!" Margaret stepped closer. "I am Robert’s sister and Adam’s aunt. You? You are nothing. I heard you went to the company to harass Robert. Do you want to remarry him? Are you insane? Look in a mirror! You look like an old pumpkin. My brother doesn't want you!"
Katherine gasped. Her face turned purple.
In the dining room, Jenna leaned toward her brother. "Mom is on fire today."
Justin looked terrified. "If I ever marry a woman Mom hates, she will actually kill her."
"Just marry someone Mom likes," Jenna whispered.
"I just won't marry."
"No!" Jenna shook her head. "You have to. Find someone like Maya. Mom likes Maya now. See? She gave her the expensive cream. That means you’re safe."
Justin looked at me. "Right. Someone like Maya. Got it."
In the foyer, the shouting continued. Katherine was no match for Margaret. She sputtered, trying to argue, but Margaret cut her off every time. Finally, Katherine let out a frustrated scream and ran out the door.
Margaret slammed the heavy oak door shut. She smoothed her hair and walked back into the dining room.
"Done," Margaret said. She sat down and picked up her fork.
I looked at Adam. He was calm. He didn't look upset. He picked up his glass and took a sip of water.
Grandma Sterling sat at the head of the table. She hadn't said a word the entire time. Now, she picked up the serving spoon. She chose a large, tender piece of beef and placed it on Margaret’s plate.
Margaret looked at her mother in surprise. She smiled slightly and began to eat.