Chapter 34
Maya's POV:
The next morning, my phone buzzed with a message from Adam: Grandmother wants to meet her lifesaver. Can you come to the hospital?
I stared at the screen, my stomach twisting. The last thing I needed was to get tangled up with the Sterling family.
I typed back quickly: Sorry, Mr. Sterling. I have plans. Please explain to your grandmother.
His response came almost immediately: Can't explain. She's insisting on seeing you. Says she'll make her ankle worse if I don't bring you. I'm out of options.
I closed my eyes and let out a long breath. Fuck.
After several minutes of internal debate, I gave in: Fine. I'll come after work.
---
By the time I pulled into the hospital parking lot that evening, my nerves were shot. I'd spent the entire drive rehearsing what I'd say, how I'd act, how I'd keep my distance without seeming rude.
I spotted Adam the moment I got out of the car. He was standing near the entrance, hands in his pockets, looking tense.
"Didn't want you getting lost," he said as I approached.
"Thanks." I fell into step beside him, keeping my eyes forward.
We didn't talk on the way up. The elevator ride felt like it lasted forever. I could feel him watching me, but I refused to look.
When we finally reached the private room, I took a breath and stepped inside.
Mrs. Sterling was propped up in bed, her ankle wrapped and elevated. The moment she saw me, her face lit up.
"Maya!" She waved me over. "Oh, thank goodness you're here!"
"Hi, Mrs. Sterling." I smiled, trying to keep it light. "How are you feeling?"
"Much better now." She beamed at me, then turned to Adam. "What are you standing there for? Get a chair for my future granddaughter-in-law!"
I froze.
"Grandma—" Adam started.
"Now, Adam. Don't keep her standing."
My face burned. "Mrs. Sterling, I think there's been a misunderstanding. Mr. Sterling and I aren't—we're not in that kind of relationship."
"Oh, hush." She reached out and grabbed my hand, pulling me closer. "I don't care what you say. I've made up my mind. You're going to be my granddaughter-in-law."
Adam dragged a chair over without a word.
I sat, my face still hot, trying to figure out how to extract myself from this situation.
Mrs. Sterling squeezed my hand tighter. "I liked you the first moment I saw you. And then you saved me! We're meant to be family."
I tried to pull my hand back gently, but her grip was surprisingly strong.
I glanced at Adam, silently begging him to say something.
He gave me a look that said I told you this wouldn't work.
"Now, dear," Mrs. Sterling said, her eyes sparkling. "Tell me about yourself. What do you do?"
"I'm an executive assistant. For Garrison Industries."
"Oh, how wonderful!" She beamed. "Where are you from? And your family here in Boston?"
I hesitated. "No. I grew up in Cleveland. Moved to Boston a few months ago for work."
The truth was, we didn't start out in Cleveland. We moved there later. Where we lived before that, my mother never said. And I never dared to ask.
Mrs. Sterling studied my face for a moment, then nodded. "Cleveland. Lovely city."
She didn't push for more answers, and I was grateful.
We talked for another half hour—about the hospital food, about Boston's weather, about nothing in particular. Mrs. Sterling was warm and chatty, and despite the awkwardness of being called "future granddaughter-in-law," I found myself relaxing slightly.
Eventually, I glanced at the clock and stood. "I should go. It's getting late."
"Already?" Mrs. Sterling pouted. "Stay a little longer."
"I really can't. But I'll come visit you again. I promise."
"You better!" She squeezed my hand one last time. "Take care of yourself, dear. And don't let my stubborn grandson give you any trouble."
I smiled. "I'll try. Take care of your ankle, Mrs. Sterling."
"I will, I will."
Adam walked me out. Neither of us spoke until we reached the elevator.
"Mr. Sterling," I said quietly. "Your grandmother... she seems to think we're together. You need to explain to her that we're not."
"I tried." He shrugged. "She doesn't listen."
I pressed my lips together. I didn't know what else to say.
"Mr. Sterling, this isn't my fault. I didn't say anything to her to give her that idea."
I didn't want him thinking I was trying to manipulate my way into his family.
The elevator arrived. There were other people inside, so we stepped in silently.
When we reached the ground floor, we walked out together. Adam followed me all the way to my car.
"My grandmother has her own ideas," he said as I stopped by my Toyota. "Once she's decided something, there's no changing her mind. Don't worry about it. I don't blame you."
"Good." I opened my car door. "Then I'll see you around, Mr. Sterling."
"Maya."
I froze, my hand on the door frame. Slowly, I turned back to look at him.
His grey-green eyes were dark, unreadable. He took two steps closer, until there was barely any space between us.
"Maya," he said again, his voice low.
My heart pounded. For a moment, I was back in Cleveland, listening to him say my name with that same soft tone.
But I snapped back to reality fast.
That chapter was over. Adam wasn't the same person anymore. He was the Sterling heir. Maybe he'd liked me a little bit back then. But five years had passed. Whatever feelings he'd had were long gone. That kiss the other day was just... a man's impulse toward a woman. Nothing more.
In his eyes, I was the gold digger who left him.
I pulled my gaze away and got into the car. "Goodbye, Mr. Sterling."
I didn't wait for a response. I started the engine and drove off.
In the rearview mirror, I saw him standing there, watching me go.
My heart raced. I forced myself to look away.