Chapter 82
"Well, well."
I froze.
Oh God.
"Mrs. Sterling," I managed, my voice coming out strangled. "I didn't realize you were here."
"Mm-hmm." Her smile widened, the wrinkles around her eyes creasing with amusement. "I'm sure you didn't."
My face went hot.
Adam leaned against the doorframe, one hand in his pocket, looking infuriatingly smug. "Grandma."
Mrs. Sterling shot him a look. "Don't interrupt me while I'm talking to my future granddaughter-in-law."
I nearly choked on air.
Adam's smirk grew. "Grandma, I have good news. That great-granddaughter you've been dreaming about? She's right here."
He stepped forward, gently guiding Amy toward Mrs. Sterling.
Mrs. Sterling's face lit up. She set down her teacup and opened her arms. "Come here, sweetheart."
Amy climbed into her lap, and Mrs. Sterling wrapped her arms around her, tears glistening in her eyes.
Then she lifted her head and glared at Adam. "You think you're telling me something new? What do you use your brain for? I figured it out weeks ago. You couldn't see what was right in front of you!"
Adam's jaw dropped. "Grandma, when did you—why didn't you tell me?"
Mrs. Sterling stroked Amy's blonde curls. "I have that dreadful Claire woman to thank," she said casually. "She had Maya investigated—dug up hospital records, photos, everything. Brought the whole file to me like she'd uncovered some terrible scandal." She snorted. "Thought it would turn me against this poor girl. Instead, all I saw was a strong young woman raising my great-granddaughter all by herself."
She looked up at me, her eyes red-rimmed. "You've been through so much, dear. I'm so sorry."
My throat closed up. I crossed the room quickly, kneeling beside her chair. "Mrs. Sterling—"
"Call me Grandma," she said firmly, squeezing my hand.
I pressed my lips together, blinking hard.
Adam's phone buzzed. He pulled it out, his eyes scanning the screen. His jaw clenched.
"Excuse me," he said coldly, stepping into the hallway.
His voice carried through the door. "Pull the story. Every version. Scrub every mention of Maya Bennett and Amy from the internet—blogs, forums, reposts, everything."
A pause.
"Go to Claire Ashford's apartment. Confiscate every file she has on Maya. Every email, every photo, every scrap of paper."
Another pause. His tone turned icy.
"Cancel her transfer to Rochester. Fire her. Effective immediately. Blacklist her permanently."
He hung up and walked back in, sliding his phone into his pocket like he'd just ordered coffee.
I stared at him.
Jesus Christ.
Mrs. Sterling patted my hand. "Don't worry about that woman, dear. Adam will take care of it."
I swallowed. "Grandma... why didn't you tell Adam? If you knew..."
She squeezed my fingers. "Because I could see you were hurting, sweetheart. You wanted to keep it from him, so I kept it from him too. I didn't tell anyone—not even my son."
My vision blurred.
She protected me.
Adam's own grandmother had chosen my side.
"I know things between you and Adam are complicated," she continued gently. "But I'm not going to pressure you. You can take all the time you need. If you never forgive that stubborn boy, well, that's his own fault."
She looked at Adam, who was watching us intently.
"But Amy," Mrs. Sterling said, her tone firm, "she's your daughter, so of course she'll stay with you. All I ask is that you let me help. Let me spend time with her. Let me be her grandma."
I nodded quickly, tears spilling over. "Thank you. Thank you so much."
"And Maya?" She tilted her head. "I don't blame you for not trusting Adam. But if he can't win you back, that just means he doesn't deserve you."
Adam let out a long breath. "Grandma, you're supposed to be on my side."
"I'm on the side of common sense," she shot back. "Which you clearly lack."
I bit my lip, trying not to smile.
Mrs. Sterling turned back to me. "Now. Are you working today?"
"I took the day off," I said. "I wanted to spend it with Amy."
"Perfect." Mrs. Sterling beamed. "Then the three of us can spend the day together."
Adam pulled out his phone. "Cancel all my meetings. If the building's not on fire, don't call me."
He pocketed the phone and walked over, a satisfied look on his face. "Make that four."
He plucked Amy out of Mrs. Sterling's lap and settled into the armchair, holding her on his knee.
"Say it," he said, looking down at her. "Say 'Dad.'"
Amy glanced at me.
I gave her an encouraging smile.
She looked back at Adam, her voice small. "Dad."
Adam's face softened. He closed eyes for a moment, like he was trying to memorize the sound.
"Good girl," he murmured.
---
I stood up, smoothing my shirt. "I should clean up the table. Breakfast got... interrupted."
Adam glanced up. "Maya, I didn't eat yet. Can you make me something?"
Before I could answer, Mrs. Sterling's foot shot out, kicking his shin.
"Ow—Grandma!"
"Make it yourself!" she snapped. "Maya's been working full-time and raising a child alone while you were off doing God knows what. You want her to cook for you too? Shameless!"
I pressed my hand to my mouth, trying not to laugh.
Adam stood, setting Amy down carefully. "Fine. I'll cook."
He walked toward the kitchen.
Mrs. Sterling called after him, "And don't just make food for yourself! What about Maya? What about Amy? What about me?"
I lost it. A laugh burst out before I could stop it.
Adam paused in the doorway, looking back at me. "Enjoying this?"
I bit my lip, trying to look innocent.
He shook his head, a reluctant smile tugging at his mouth. "Yeah, I thought so."
I grabbed the dishes from the table and headed into the kitchen. Adam followed.
I set the plates in the sink and turned around to find him leaning against the counter, picking at the leftover toast from breakfast.
"Do you have anything I can cook with? For lunch, I mean."
I gestured toward the fridge. "There's some stuff in there."
"Good." He opened it, scanning the shelves. "I'll make lunch for everyone."
"You don't have to—"
"I want to."
From the living room, Mrs. Sterling's phone rang.
"Hello? Robert, what is it?" She listened for a moment, then said loudly, "Yes, I'm absolutely certain. That child is Adam's daughter. My great-granddaughter."
A pause.
"I'll explain later. I'm busy right now."
She hung up without waiting for a response.
I glanced at Adam. He was pulling vegetables out of the fridge, his expression unreadable.
Then I heard the front door open and close.
"Grandma and Amy went out," Adam said, not looking at me. "To the park."
I blinked. "When did they leave?"
"Just now." He set a tomato on the counter, finally meeting my eyes. "Which means we're alone."
My pulse stuttered.
"So," he continued, his voice dropping, "we could lock the door. Spend some time together. Just the two of us."