Chapter 173
Author's POV:
Maya’s palms were slightly sweaty. Even though she and Adam had already signed the papers, this moment felt different. The weight of the ceremony pressed down on her.
Adam sensed her nerves. He squeezed her hand, interlocking their fingers tightly.
Maya looked up. She met his gaze. His grey-green eyes were filled with a depth of emotion that stole her breath away. They smiled at each other, a private exchange in front of hundreds of people.
The officiant began the familiar wedding vows. To the guests, they were standard lines. To Maya, every word struck a chord. They were promises she had waited five years to hear.
Tears welled up in her eyes. They spilled over, streaming down her cheeks uncontrollably.
Adam looked down at her. The affection in his eyes was almost overwhelming.
"Silly," he whispered, his voice low and gentle. "Why are you crying?"
"I'm happy," Maya choked out, her voice trembling.
The corner of Adam’s mouth hooked up. "You’re ruining your makeup."
Panic flared briefly in her chest. "What? Do I look ugly now?"
Adam reached out. His thumb, rough and warm, wiped away a teardrop clinging to her jaw. "No. You are still beautiful. The most beautiful bride."
Maya’s eyes crinkled into a smile. Her tears sparkled like diamonds.
"Adam Sterling," she said, her voice finding its strength. "I love you. For the last six years, I haven't stopped loving you for a single second. Loving you is involuntary—it’s as natural as breathing. I am so happy to finally start this life with you."
Adam’s pupils dilated, swallowing the hazel-green until his eyes were a stormy black. He cupped Maya’s face in his hands. He didn't wait for the officiant. He lowered his head and kissed her.
It wasn't a polite peck. It was deep and claiming.
The officiant cleared his throat awkwardly.
We haven't reached the kissing part yet.
He chuckled into the microphone. "Our groom is a bit impatient!"
A roar of laughter erupted from the audience below.
On the stage, the two kissed as if no one else existed.
Mrs. Sterling immediately slapped her hands over Amy’s eyes. "Don't look. Not for children."
Jenna leaned forward, her face cupped in her hands. She watched with relish.
"Wow," Jenna whispered loudly. "Adam really knows how to kiss. It’s my first time seeing him kiss a woman. It’s so hot! So intense! Tsk tsk tsk. Is Maya going to suffocate? I’m worried..."
"Shut up!" Margaret hissed, nudging her daughter. She couldn't stand it. "Stop watching!"
"Why?" Jenna asked, unbothered. "We are here to witness their happiness. This is it. Oh my god! Is he using tongue?"
Mrs. Sterling tried to cover Amy’s ears too, but she ran out of hands.
Amy giggled. "Great-Grandma, it’s okay. I’ve seen Mommy and Daddy kiss lots of times."
Mrs. Sterling sighed, adjusting her glasses. "Well, you simply must look away next time."
Good heavens, have they no discretion? Doing this in front of the child? It’s absolutely scandalous.
Finally, Adam pulled back, though he didn't go far. He rested his forehead against hers, his eyes dark with a hunger that threatened to consume her.
"Maya. My wife," he whispered, his voice trembling slightly. "I love you too. Very, very much."
He took a breath. "The only regret of my life is leaving you six years ago. But in those five years, I never forgot you. Not for a moment. I never stopped loving you."
Maya’s tears started again.
"Thank God," he murmured. "Thank God you came back to my side. I know how wrong I was. I should have found you sooner. For the rest of my life, I will love you and protect you. I never want to be separated from you again."
Maya cried harder, burying her face in his chest.
The wedding ended. Adam whisked Maya away to the private airstrip. They were headed to the Sterling family’s private island for their honeymoon.
Amy would stay at the Beacon Hill estate for the duration.
As the cars pulled up to the main house, the Sterling family disembarked. Their moods soured instantly. Katherine was standing at the gate.
Everyone ignored her. They walked past her toward the front door.
"Robert!" Katherine called out.
Robert Sterling stopped. He turned to the others. "You all go in first."
Once the heavy door clicked shut, Robert looked at his ex-wife. His expression was cold. "What is it?"
"Maya is the child Arthur Hayes had when he cheated on his wife," Katherine said, her voice sharp. "Why didn't you say anything?"
"What is there to say?" Robert asked.
"Maya is a bastard!" Katherine cried out. "She is illegitimate. You let Adam marry a bastard daughter? Is that appropriate?"
"Katherine," Robert said, his voice dropping. "Stop looking at people with prejudice. Maya is a good child. She and Adam truly love each other. Why should I stop them?"
"Think of the Sterling status! Think of Adam's status! Marrying an illegitimate daughter... people will laugh at us!"
Robert stared at her. His eyes were like ice. "Life is our own. Why should I care about other people's eyes? If I cared about what people thought, I would have stopped living twenty years ago."
Katherine’s face went pale.
Robert let out a cold laugh. He didn't look at her again. He turned and walked into the house.
Inside, Margaret and Mrs. Sterling watched from the window.
"Is Katherine still trying to cling to Brother?" Margaret whispered.
"Robert won't accept her," Mrs. Sterling said firmly.
"She did those things," Margaret muttered. "Brother is right not to forgive her."
The family remembered. Years ago, the Sterling Group was hit by the financial crisis. Bankruptcy loomed. Katherine saw the ship sinking. She fought with Robert every day. She demanded a divorce. She made his life a living hell when he was already exhausted.
Not long after, she hooked up with another man. She paraded him around openly. She dragged Robert’s dignity through the mud.
Adam was only seven years old then.
He had walked into the bedroom. He saw her with that man.
Katherine hadn't cared about Adam’s trauma. She looked her seven-year-old son in the eye. She told him clearly that she was divorcing his father. She told him she wouldn't take him with her.
Robert finally chose to let go.
The moment the divorce was finalized, Katherine moved abroad with the man. She hadn't come back to see Adam once in all these years. She hadn't even called.
The private island was quiet. The only sound was the rhythm of the waves hitting the shore.
Maya and Adam stood by the water. Adam spoke quietly, telling her about his childhood.
It was the first time he had ever spoken about Katherine.
Maya listened, her heart aching. She hadn't known his past was so dark. To see that with his own eyes... at seven years old. And then to hear his own mother say such cruel words.
She stepped behind him. She wrapped her arms around his waist, hugging him tight.
Adam looked down at her slender hands clasped over his stomach. A smile touched his eyes.
"Hubby," Maya said, her voice drifting over the sea breeze. "It’s all in the past. You have me. You have Amy. You have so many people accompanying you now."
Adam turned around. He pulled her into his embrace.
"I’m not sad anymore," he said softly. "I told you this because I want you to know all of me."
Maya leaned into his chest. "I know."
They held each other for a long while. The ocean wind picked up, growing stronger. Maya shivered in her thin dress.
Adam patted her back. "Let's go back."
Maya tilted her head back, looking up at him. "Honey, I want a piggyback ride."
Adam smiled. He didn't hesitate. He crouched down in front of her.
Maya grinned, her eyes curving into crescents. She hopped onto his back, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Adam grabbed her thighs. He hitched her up once, securing her, and stood up steadily.
"Husband, am I heavy?" she whispered into his ear.
"Heavy."
Maya gasped, but Adam continued before she could protest. "Heavy with happiness. It’s a weight I love carrying."
Maya laughed aloud. "Turn your head."
Adam turned his head to the side.
Smack.
Maya planted a loud kiss on his lips. "You are such a smooth talker. That’s your reward."
Adam chuckled, the sound rumbling against her chest. "I could get used to rewards like that."
"Deal!"