Chapter 96
Maya's POV:
I walked into the office, and it was like I'd crossed into an alternate dimension.
"Good morning, Ms. Bennett!"
"Maya, love your bag. Is it new?"
"Ms. Bennett, coffee? I just made a fresh pot."
I forced a smile at each greeting, trying not to look as uncomfortable as I felt. These were people who'd barely acknowledged my existence two weeks ago.
Julian fell into step beside me in the hallway, his mouth quirking. "You're more popular than my father now."
I shot him a look. "Mr. Garrison, please don't tease me. This is... awkward."
"Get used to it." His voice dropped. "Once word spreads about you and Sterling, you'll have twice as many people kissing your ass. And twice as many who'll hate your guts."
"Great. So I'm famous and despised. Living the dream."
---
Around eleven-thirty, the click of heels announced trouble.
Sienna Hartley strode past my desk like she owned the place, all five-foot-nine of her poured into a cream Chanel suit. Her honey-blonde hair fell in perfect waves, diamond studs glinting at her ears.
Sarah, Julian's other assistant, shot me a questioning look. I nodded.
She jumped up. "Ms. Hartley, if you could wait here, I'll let Mr. Garrison know—"
Sienna's smile was ice-cold politeness. "Fine. But make it quick."
Sarah knocked and disappeared into Julian's office. Emerged thirty seconds later. "Ms. Hartley, you can go in."
Sienna swept past me without a glance, then paused at the threshold. Her voice went up three octaves.
"Julian, baby!"
I couldn't help it. My shoulders shook.
Julian's response was flat. "Sienna."
The click of her heels again. "Baby, it's lunchtime. Let's go eat. I've been calling and texting—you never answer. So I came here."
"I'm working. And my assistant already ordered lunch."
"Julian." The whine was back. "Takeout isn't good for you. Let's go somewhere nice. Just the two of us."
"I told you. I'm busy."
"Julian." Her voice hardened. "I'm your fiancée. Your father said you'd take me to lunch."
Silence.
Then Julian's chair scraped back. "Fine."
Julian emerged from his office, Sienna practically skipping behind him in her Louboutins.
"Julian, wait for me..."
They disappeared into the elevator.
Sarah and Mark both looked at me.
"Lunch, Maya?" Sarah asked carefully.
I kept typing. "You guys go ahead. I'll finish this first."
They walked out together, whispering. I caught fragments of Sarah's voice. "Did you see her face? Zero reaction to Julian and Sienna."
"She's got Adam Sterling now. Why would she care about Julian?"
"True."
---
I'd just shut down my computer when my phone buzzed.
Adam: Down. Now.
I pressed my lips together, grabbed my purse, and headed for the elevator. By the time I reached the lobby, the lunch crowd had thinned out. I slipped into Adam's car.
"Drive," I said. "Now."
He pulled away from the curb, amused. "What, are we having an affair?"
"I don't want people staring."
"Maya." His voice was dry. "After that flower stunt, everyone already knows."
I sank lower in the seat.
He drove us to Legal Sea Foods near the waterfront. The hostess seated us at a corner table, away from the windows. Adam ordered for both of us without asking—New England clam chowder, lobster rolls, oysters.
When the soup arrived, he ladled some into a bowl and set it in front of me. "It's cold out. This'll warm you up."
I picked up my spoon. His voice sounded off. Nasally.
I glanced up. "Did you bring your medicine?"
"It's at the office."
"Don't forget to take it after lunch."
His smile was pure satisfaction, like a cat who'd gotten into the cream. He leaned across the table, breath warm against my ear. "Maya, I'm so fucking happy right now."
I shoved him back. "Stay over there. I don't want to catch whatever you have."
He sat back, grinning like an idiot. "Here. Try this. And this one. You'll love it."
I ate in silence, hyper-aware of his eyes on me.
My phone buzzed on the table. The screen lit up with a name I hadn't seen in months.
Ryan Morrison
My stomach dropped.
I set down my fork and picked up the phone. "Ryan."
"Maya." His voice was tight. "Mom's sick. It's cancer."
The restaurant noise faded to white static.
"Are you—" I swallowed. "Are you sure?"
"We went to three hospitals. All confirmed."
I should've felt something. Grief. Panic. Something.
Instead, all I could think about was the way she'd looked at me when I was twelve. Cold. Dismissive. Like I was a stranger who'd wandered into her house by mistake.
The fried egg she'd slid onto Ryan's plate without a word. The new jacket she'd bought him for his birthday while I wore hand-me-downs from neighbors.
The day I'd begged her to watch Amy for just a few days while I recovered from childbirth. Don't you dare drag that bastard child into my house. You made your bed, now lie in it.
"Maya? You there?"
I blinked. My water glass was empty. A full one appeared in front of me—Adam's hand steady, his eyes on my face.
I looked at him. He gave me a small, almost invisible smile.
I took a drink. "Is she... I mean, what did the doctors say?"
"It's early stage. They said surgery should take care of it." Ryan paused. "But I want to send her to Boston. You need to find her a hospital there. I heard the medical care's better."
"Boston?" I frowned. "Ryan, the hospitals in Cleveland are really good. And I heard Boston hospitals are packed—it's really hard to get a bed. There's no need to make Mom travel all that way."
"Maya." His voice went sharp. "What the hell is that supposed to mean? You don't want her in Boston? You think we're going to burden you?"
"That's not what I—"
"I know exactly what you're thinking. Mom didn't help you much, so you hate her. You don't want to deal with her. You're afraid we'll ask you for money or make you take care of her."
"You're so goddamn selfish! She gave birth to you. She fed you. She sent you to school. She's old now, and she's sick. Taking care of her is your responsibility. It's what any decent daughter would do."
My throat was tight. "I just think Cleveland would be easier—"
"This isn't up for debate." His voice was ice. "Find a hospital in Boston. A good one. I'm taking time off work. As soon as it's approved, I'm bringing her there."
The line went dead.