Chapter 43
After Ryan left, two tears rolled down my cheeks. I wiped them away quickly. Headed for the kitchen.
"Mommy's going to make dinner."
Amy stopped me. Walked over. Gestured for me to crouch down.
I knelt. She wrapped her small arms around me. Patted my shoulder blade.
My heart warmed. "Baby, thank you."
Thank God for these four years with Amy. She made everything bearable.
This angel of a daughter—how could I let her grow up without a father?
That night, after tucking Amy in, I sent Adam a message: Mr. Sterling, are you free tomorrow for lunch? My treat.
His reply came fast: Out of town. Austin. Back in a few days.
I stared at the screen. Let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.
I'd spent all evening building up courage to tell him about Amy. Finally worked up the nerve to hit send.
But now… part of me felt like I'd been handed an excuse to delay. Again.
---
Next evening, Chloe came over for dinner. To celebrate her new job.
"See? I knew you'd have no problem," I said, passing her the salad bowl.
"NewDawn Group," she announced. "Executive Assistant to the Chairman."
I raised my eyebrows. "That's the Palmer family business, right? One of Boston's old fortunes. Nice."
"Right?" Chloe grinned. She speared a piece of chicken. "God, this is so good. Way better than the takeout I've been living on."
"Maybe we should just move in together," she said through a mouthful. "I'll help you raise Amy."
I laughed. "You'd be getting the raw end of that deal. You know how expensive kids are?"
"Expensive?" Chloe raised an eyebrow. "Then I'll just work harder. Make more money."
"Deal. If you don't get married, you can help me raise my kid."
"Done." Chloe reached across the table. We shook on it.
Amy cheered from her seat. All three of us laughed.
---
After dinner, Amy disappeared into her room with a picture book. Chloe and I stayed at the table.
"Did you tell Adam?" Chloe asked. "About Amy?"
My fork paused mid-air. "No. I was going to. But he's out of town."
Silence.
"He wants to get back together," I said quietly.
Clang. Chloe dropped her fork onto her plate. Hard.
"Who the fuck does he think he is?" She leaned forward. "Disappears for five years. Then just—what? Snaps his fingers and expects you to come running?"
"Chloe—"
"No." She pointed at me. "You do not take him back."
"But you can let him acknowledge Amy. Make him step up as a father. Legally."
I blinked.
"First," Chloe held up one finger, "child support. Non-negotiable. He needs to contribute financially. Every month. In writing."
"Second." Another finger. "Medical insurance. Do you know how much healthcare costs in this country? If Amy gets sick—if she needs surgery or long-term treatment—you can't afford that on your own. He needs to add her to his plan."
"And third." She slammed her hand on the table. "College fund. You need to start that now. Private universities cost eighty, ninety thousand a year. Even public schools are thirty to forty grand. Amy's only four. In fourteen years, tuition will be even higher."
I pushed food around my plate. "I'll think about it."
"You need to think about it now." Chloe's voice rose. "I'm talking about real-world shit, Maya. You also need a co-parenting agreement. Get a lawyer. Put everything in writing—who pays medical bills, who claims her on taxes, how holidays and visitation work."
"It all needs to be on paper. Not just verbal promises."
I nodded. "I know. I trust Adam. He'll take responsibility for Amy."
Chloe rolled her eyes. "Time changes people. Don't be naive."
"Men," she said slowly, "forget their exes the second they marry someone new. And they forget the kids that came before, too."
"What happens when Adam gets married? When he has his own family? You think he'll still care about Amy?"
"You need to secure her rights now—while he's single, while he doesn't have other obligations. Legal custody needs to be clear. Add Amy as a beneficiary on his life insurance. If something happens to him, at least she's covered."
"You have a job now, sure. You can support Amy. But what if you lose that job? What if Amy gets seriously ill and needs hundreds of thousands in medical bills? You can't do this alone."
I knew she was right. These were real problems. Problems that could happen.
But how could I ask Adam for any of this?
I couldn't.
Five years ago, when I found out I was pregnant, I had a choice. I could've ended it.
But I didn't.
I chose to keep the baby. Without asking Adam's opinion. Without telling him at all.
That was my choice. He shouldn't have to pay for it.
All I wanted now was for Adam to give Amy some fatherly love. To let her grow up healthy and whole.
Chloe kept talking. Listing off legal terms and worst-case scenarios.
I stayed silent.
Finally, she grabbed my shoulders. Shook me.
"Honey," she said, "I'm telling you—you cannot be this stupid. If you won't think about yourself, at least think about Amy. This isn't greed. This is her legal right."
I pushed her hands away. Escaped her grip.
"Okay, okay," I said. "I'll consider it."
She finally backed off.
"Okay, okay," I said. "I'll consider it."
She finally backed off.
---
Next morning, after breakfast, I dropped Amy off at daycare. Then drove to the office.
I'd barely set my bag down when Julian called me into his office.
"Maya." He didn't look up from his computer. "I'm heading to Austin. Business trip. You'll stay here. Keep me updated on anything urgent."
"You're going alone?"
"No. Sarah's coming with me."
"Got it. What do you need me to prepare?"
"Grab the Austin tech park files from Project Development. Bring them here."
"Right away."
I headed downstairs. Found the files. Brought them back within ten minutes.
Julian was still at his desk, typing. "Leave those there. And do me a favor—go pack my bag in the lounge."
"Of course."
I walked into the small rest area attached to his office. Pulled out his travel suitcase from the closet. Started packing.
Shirts. Ties. Toiletries. Chargers.
I knew his preferences by now. Knew which ties he'd want for client meetings. Knew he hated hotel shampoo. Knew he needed two phone chargers because he always lost one.
Done in five minutes.
I zipped the suitcase. Turned around.
And walked straight into Julian.
I gasped. Stumbled backward.
His hand shot out. Caught my wrist. Pulled me forward.
I fell against his chest.
"Sorry," I blurted. "I didn't know you were—"
"It's fine." His voice was low. Close.
I stepped back immediately.
Julian let go. Dropped his hand. Looked away.
The air felt thick. Awkward.
"All set?" he asked.
"Yes. Everything's packed."
"Good." He grabbed the suitcase. Walked past me without another word.