Chapter 86
Adam's POV:
Justin was first to break the silence, grinning like an idiot. "So, Adam, when are you bringing your girlfriend home for dinner?"
Jenna leaned forward, eyes bright. "Yeah! And give me her number—I want to take her shopping on Newbury Street."
I felt my jaw unclench slightly.
"I'll bring her soon," I said, looking at Justin. "In the next few days."
I turned to Jenna. "When she's here, you can add her yourself."
"Perfect!" Jenna beamed.
Margaret shot them both a withering look.
My father had been quiet this whole time, watching. Now he spoke. "Adam. You and Maya—you've known each other for a while?"
I met his gaze. "I wanted to bring her home five years ago."
Margaret's head snapped up. "Wait—Maya is the girl who dumped you five years ago?"
My father's mouth actually fell open.
Margaret continued, voice rising. "She left you because you didn't have money, and now she's back with a kid? What's her angle? And how did this even happen—did you not use protection? Did she trap you?"
"Aunt Margaret!" My voice came out harsh enough to make her flinch.
"As for why we broke up," I said coldly, "I'm sure Maya had her reasons."
And I will find out what they were. I'd spent five years wondering why she'd ended things so suddenly when we'd been so goddamn happy—
I forced my mind back to the present and lifted my head to look directly at Margaret.
"She didn't trap me. She didn't scheme. This is my responsibility. I fucked up."
I remembered the night before we broke up. I knew it was her safe window, so I hadn't used protection. Amy was conceived that night—and that was on me.
"Aunt Margaret," I continued, voice like ice. "Amy is my daughter. Maya is the woman I want. If you can't show her respect, then don't expect to see me at this house when you're here."
Margaret stood abruptly, heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. "Fine. Do whatever you want. See if I care."
She stormed out.
Gregory gave me an apologetic smile before following her.
With their parents gone, Justin and Jenna mumbled quick excuses and left too.
My father sighed. "There might have been a misunderstanding five years ago. Adam—bring Maya and Amy home for dinner. Let's meet them properly."
I considered. "Tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow works." He nodded. "What does Maya like to eat? I'll have the chef prepare her favorites."
"She's not picky. Easy to please." The words came automatically. "She likes BBQ ribs—either slow-cooked or oven-roasted. Garlic butter shrimp. French fries. Lemon-baked fish. Pan-seared steak. She prefers everything on the lighter side—minimal salt and seasoning. Can't handle spicy food. Mild at most."
My father raised an eyebrow. "You remember all that?"
Grandma snorted from her seat. "Obviously. Too bad you remember her favorite foods better than where she's actually living—in a tiny apartment while you swim laps in your fancy penthouse pool. Really thoughtful of you."
"I've already transferred the Marlborough Street property into her name," I said. "Had a team go in to renovate. It'll be ready in a few days."
Grandma's eyes narrowed. "One brownstone? That's it? Where's the effort?"
I ran a hand through my hair. "Grandma, you know how stubborn Maya is. She won't even accept this one. I still don't know how I'm going to convince her to move in."
I looked at her pleadingly. "Could you help me out here?"
Grandma huffed. "Figure it out yourself."
"Please?" I tried my most pathetic voice. "You don't really want Maya and Amy stuck in that apartment forever, do you?"
She sighed. Of course she didn't. She'd been heartbroken since the day she found out where they were living.
"Fine. I'll try."
---
Maya's POV:
Chloe showed up after work.
I'd already eaten with Amy, so I made her a turkey and avocado sandwich instead.
She bit into it, chewing thoughtfully. "The news is gone. Adam had it scrubbed, right?"
I propped my chin on my hand. "Maybe. I didn't ask him."
"Do you know who leaked it?"
"Claire."
Chloe slammed her hand on the table. "That bitch. Again! What is her fucking problem? If she wants Adam, she should go after him, not you. Does she think destroying you will make him fall for her?"
I smiled faintly. "Chloe. It's fine. I'm not even mad."
"Not mad?" She stared at me like I'd grown a second head. "Maya, do you have any idea what people were saying about you online before it got taken down? The shit they were calling you?"
"I can imagine."
"Then why are you so calm?"
I shrugged. "Because honestly? Claire did me a favor. I've been stressing about how to tell Adam about Amy. She forced my hand."
Chloe shook her head slowly. "You know what? You're insane. You know that, right?"
I laughed.
She stabbed at her sandwich. "Oh—by the way. Adam came to see me today."
I froze. "What?"
"Asked about you. Wanted to know what happened after he disappeared."
My heart lurched. "And you told him?"
"Hell yes, I told him." Chloe's eyes flashed. "Why wouldn't I? You've been through hell, Maya. He needs to know. He needs to feel like the piece of shit he is."
I said nothing.
"You should've seen him when I was done," she continued quietly. "He cried. Like, actually cried. And when he left, his shoulders were hunched. He looked... broken."
"Why did you tell him all that?" I whispered.
"Because it's the truth." Chloe leaned forward. "You keep saying it's over. But if it's really over, you would've said yes to him by now. You're still holding back."
I didn't respond. She was right, and we both knew it.
Chloe's phone buzzed. I caught a glimpse of the name—Parker Palmer.
"Speaking of which," I said, "what's going on with you and Parker?"
She smirked. "Remember that guy I hooked up with on my trip? The hot one I told you about?"
"Yeah?"
"Turns out he's Adam's friend. And we've... reconnected."
I raised an eyebrow. "Reconnected?"
"We're fuck buddies." She said it so casually. "No strings. Just sex. It's perfect."
I felt my face heat. "Chloe—"
"What? Don't tell me you haven't thought about it." She leaned in with a wicked grin. "Come on. We're both adults. We have needs. You've been a single mom for four years. You telling me you don't miss it?"
"I—" My cheeks were on fire. "I don't—"
"Bullshit. You've tasted it, Maya. I know you remember what it's like."
I bolted from my seat. "Do you want salad dressing? I'll get you some salad dressing."
Chloe's laughter followed me into the kitchen. "You can't run forever! Look, if you're really that desperate, just use Adam. He—"
I choked on my own spit.
"Jesus, are you okay?"
Knock knock knock.
Chloe frowned. "Who the hell is that? It's almost nine."