Chapter 157
Adam's POV:
Christmas morning arrived. Early in the morning, my phone started buzzing on the nightstand.
I glanced at the screen. It was my mother, Katherine. I pressed the button to silence it, but she called again immediately.
The noise woke Maya. She sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Adam, just answer it."
She saw the name on the screen. Her expression changed slightly, and she slipped out of bed. "I’ll go wash up." She went into the bathroom to give me space.
I picked up the phone and walked to the window. "What is it?"
Katherine’s voice sounded weak and trembling. "Adam... I think I’m sick. Can you come over and see me?"
"If you are sick, go to the hospital. Why are you calling me?"
"Adam, I feel terrible. Just come see me. I’m your mother..."
"Don't use those words with me," I interrupted her.
Katherine sobbed on the other end. "Adam, I know I was wrong. I apologize. I regret everything now. I carried you for nine months. I love you..."
I felt a surge of irritation. I took a deep breath. "I’m not a three-year-old child. I don't need maternal love. Tell me your address. I’ll send someone to take you to the hospital."
Katherine fell silent. After a pause, she spoke again, her voice bitter. "You are so cruel to me. I gave birth to you. Is it so hard to visit me?"
I didn't want to listen to this nonsense. I hung up.
Immediately, I dialed my assistant, James. "Check Katherine’s address. Send a medical team over. If she is actually sick, take her to the hospital."
"Understood, Mr. Sterling."
Maya walked out of the bathroom. She walked over and hugged me from behind.
I looked down at her hands and held them. The heavy feeling in my chest vanished. "Let's eat breakfast. Then we’ll go to the estate."
Grandmother Sterling had made it clear: everyone had to be present for Christmas this year.
"Okay," Maya said. "Let's go early. I can help cook the holiday meal."
"Good. I’ll help too."
Maya stood on her tiptoes and kissed the corner of my mouth. "You just wait to be served."
I looked at the smiling woman. My heart felt full. "Maya, after Christmas, let's get married."
"Okay."
I froze. I stared at her blankly. "Did... did you just speak?"
Maya reached out and pinched my waist. "Does it hurt?"
"No."
Maya pinched me again, harder. "Does it hurt?"
"A little."
"Then you aren't dreaming," she smiled. "What you heard is real."
The corners of my mouth twitched, then curved upward. The smile grew wider and wider. Suddenly, I swept her up into my arms.
"Ah! Put me down!" Maya exclaimed.
I spun her around in a circle.
"Adam, I’m dizzy! Put me down."
I finally lowered her to the floor, my eyes blazing. "Maya, you promised. You can't take it back. I should have recorded it. No, wait. We can’t wait. Let’s go get the license today. We’ll have the wedding right after Christmas."
Maya pushed me away and turned to leave.
I grabbed her wrist. "What’s wrong? Are you regretting it? You just promised."
Maya looked at me like I was an idiot. "Adam, today is Christmas. City Hall is closed."
I blinked. I was stunned. I had forgotten it was a holiday.
Panic set in. What if she changed her mind by tomorrow?
I grabbed my phone and called Ethan.
"Ethan, find someone for me. I want to take Maya to get our marriage license today."
Ethan was silent for a moment. "Bro, are you okay? It’s Christmas. Where am I supposed to find a clerk for you?"
"I’m in a hurry."
"Why the rush? Maya already gave birth to your kid. Is she going to run away?"
"She could," I said seriously. "She could take the child and run."
Ethan laughed loudly. "Adam, I never thought I’d see this day. But I really can’t help you. Just wait..."
I hung up before he finished.
I called Parker next.
Parker sounded amused and exasperated. "Adam, let's talk after Christmas. Today is impossible..."
I hung up decisively.
I didn't stop. I called my father, Robert. I called my uncle, Richard. I even called Gregory Hartwell.
Within twenty minutes, everyone knew Adam Sterling wanted to marry Maya Bennett immediately and was frantically looking for a way to get a license on Christmas Day.
When Grandmother Sterling heard the news, she jumped up from her chair. "Think of a way! Someone think of something! Maya finally agreed! We can't miss this chance!"
Robert looked helpless. He wanted Maya to marry into the family too, but he was realistic. "Mom, calm down. We can't get the license today."
The old lady looked distressed. "Really? We can't?"
"We can't."
Grandmother Sterling frowned deeply.
Maya didn't know I was turning the city upside down. We drove to the Sterling Estate with Amy.
As soon as we walked in, Jenna Hartwell ran over and linked arms with Maya. She grinned. "Maya! I heard you and Adam are getting the license. Congratulations!"
Justin Hartwell walked over to congratulate us too.
Maya looked at me, confused. "How did everyone know?"
I touched my nose awkwardly. "It’s happy news. Of course, I told everyone."
Maya glared at me playfully.
I felt great. I winked at her.
"Mommy," Amy asked, looking up. "What does 'license' mean? What are you and Daddy getting?"
Jenna answered quickly. "Sweetie, Mommy and Daddy are getting a marriage license. It means they will be husband and wife legally. They can live together forever."
Amy’s eyes went wide. She looked at Maya with pure hope. "Mommy, is that true?"
Maya nodded gently.
Amy couldn't hide her smile.
She looked up at Maya again. "Mommy, after you get married, are you going to give me brothers and sisters?"
Maya choked.
I smirked and patted my daughter's head. "Yes. We will give you brothers and sisters. Cute ones."
Maya’s face turned red. She shot me a look and ran toward the kitchen. "I’m going to help cook."
Robert called me into the study.
"Your mother called me early this morning," Robert said. "She said she was sick and asked me to visit. I didn't go."
"She called me too," I replied. "I sent a team to check on her," I said coldly. "She’s fine."
"She shouldn't be calling us even if she has problems."
I didn't speak. My expression was indifferent.
Suddenly, my phone rang again. It was Katherine. I rejected the call immediately.
A moment later, Robert’s phone rang. Robert sighed and answered the call.
"Robert..." Katherine’s voice sounded aggrieved. "I..."
"Katherine, you don't need to say anything," Robert interrupted firmly. "We have no relationship. Even if you are sick in bed, I won't come over."
"Robert, we were husband and wife once. How can you say that? I’m so heartbroken." She started crying on the phone.
"Stop it," Robert said, annoyed. "Don't bring up the past, and don't cry to me. I’m tired of it."
"Robert, it’s Christmas! I’m all alone. No one is with me. Adam won't answer, and he won't come see me. I’m so pitiful. Can't you be gentle? Can't you coax me a little?"
Robert frowned deeply. "Why should I coax you? Don't call me again. I’m blocking you after this."