Chapter 180
Marcus studied the photos spread across his desk. No return address on the envelope, no markings – just his name typed on the
front.
“Sophia, you need to see this,” he called, voice unusually tight.
His wife appeared within minutes, coffee in hand. Her eyebrows roses the scanned the images–Adam with Dr. Sterling at dinner, walking together, and most troubling, tangled on a beach in unmistakable intimacy.
“Adam never gets this close to anyone, Marcus said, confusion etching his normally composed face.
Sophia snatched another photo, her jaw tightening. “Look at this, just–look at it!‘ Her voice quivered. “If these leak…”
She stopped abruptly at the beach photo, Adam and Irene entangled on the sand. Her mouth twisted into a cold smile.
“This woman’s clearly after something,” she muttered.
Sophia remembered their brief encounter. Sophia’s nails dug into her palm. A doctor with three kids–what could she possibly want
with Adam?
Marcus quickly gathered the photos and stuffed them back into the envelope, recognizing the dangerous glint in his wife’s eyes.
Let’s not jump the gun,” he said, resting a hand on her arm. “Could be nothing–could be doctored. We’ve had crazier stuff sent to
mess with us.”
Whatever the truth, Marcus trusted his son’s judgment. Usually.
Sophia jerked away. “These are real. You can tell.” She stood, smoothing her designer dress. “Even if it’s innocent, they need a warning shot. They’re getting too close.”
Marcus hesitated, knowing how much Adam resented their interference in his personal life. He stared at the envelope but kept his objections to himself.
“I’m going over there,” Sophia announced. “Today. Now.”
“Just… keep it subtle,” Marcus cautioned as she headed for the door.
Adam finished a video call in his study when a knock interrupted his thoughts.
“Mrs. Haven is here, sir.”
Adam’s eyebrow ticked upward. His mother never dropped by unannounced.
After a moment, Adam nodded. “Bring her in.”
Minutes later, Thomas wheeled him into the living room where Sophia waited.
“Adam,” she greeted, leaning to kiss his cheek. “How are you feeling? Any improvement?”
“Better than before,” he replied flatly.
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Chapter 180
Sophia smiled. “Wonderful! Dr. Sterling must be working magic. She paused casually. “Speaking of whom–it’s nearly lunchtime. Why not invite her over? I’d love to thank her properly.”
Adam studied his mother, sensing something off but unable to place it. “Fine.”
Sophia exhaled, relieved her too–perceptive son hadn’t detected her real agenda. She turned to Thomas, all warmth and efficiency. “Tell the chef something special, would you? Nothing too heavy.”
Next door, Irene was halfway through a case file when Alex burst into the kitchen.
“Mom! Uncle Thomas says Adam’s mom wants, us for lunch!”
“Adam’s mother?” Irene paused, surprised by the unexpected invitation.
“Where’s Grandfather?” she asked, untying her apron.
“At Dr. Hayes‘ house playing chess. James is bringing him back later.
Irene glanced at her unfinished work, then shrugged. Seeing Adam’s family dynamic might actually help his treatment.
“Alright,” she sighed, smoothing her hair. “Let’s not keep them waiting.”
The moment the triplets spotted Sophia in Adam’s living room, they switched to their best–behavior mode.
“Good afternoon, ma’am!” they chorused, all wide–eyed politeness.
Sophia’s face softened at the sight of them–three perfectly adorable, clearly well–raised children. Her maternal instincts stirred despite herself.
“And who might you three be?” she asked warmly.
After quick introductions, Sophia turned to Irene. “You’re blessed, Dr. Sterling. Three gorgeous children!” Her gaze shifted to Adam. “I wonder when I’ll get to spoil grandchildren of my own.”
Adam’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly, but he said nothing.
Irene just smiled politely, recognizing the classic mother–hen maneuver but not taking the bait.
The doorbell chimed before anyone could respond. Thomas appeared, looking uncomfortable.
“Miss Wright to see you, sir.”
Adam’s face darkened instantly. “Why is she here?”
Thomas shook his head frantically, silently pleading not my fault.
Sophia perked up, waving cheerfully. “I invited her! Now we’re all here–shall we eat?”
The penny dropped for Irene. This wasn’t a friendly lunch–it was an audition. And from the triumphant gleam in Sophia’s eyes as she embraced Samantha, Irene could already tell who’d been pre–cast for the starring role.
Samantha shot Irene a look that could curdle milk before plastering on a smile for Sophia. “I came the mute you called.”
Of course you did, Irene thought, maintaining her professional mask, she’d survived med school and residency; she could survive one awkward lunch.
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Chapter 180
The dining room gleamed with crystal and silver. Samantha slid into the chair beside Sophia and instantly transformed into the perfect would–be daughter–in–aw–pouting water, passing bread, predicting every need before it was voiced,
“Samantha, you’re too kind,” So hia praised, patting her hand. “Always thinking of others.”
Samantha beamed, then turned to Irene with razor–sharp sweetness. Dr. Sterling, you and your darling children simply must try the salad. The chef here is extraordinary.”
The territorial display was obvious–Samantha playing hostess in a house that wasn’t hers.
Irene caught the barely masked challenge in her eyes but didn’t engage,
The triplets watched with narrowed eyes, clearly unimpressed by Samantha’s show.
When Samantha offered Adam bread with a touch that lingered too long, he shifted away and reached for something else.
Irene pretended not to notice, but something warm unfurled in her chest. The feeling caught her off guard–she hadn’t reacted to a man that way since… well, since a time she couldn’t quite remember
The triplets sprang into action like tiny commandos on a mission.
“Uncle Adam, try the steak!” Lucas announced, pointing at the dish. Looks amazing!”
Adam relaxed slightly, letting Alex arrange food on his plate with an indulgent nod.
Sophia nearly choked on her water. Her son, who once refused to eat anything touched by others, was casually accepting food handled by these children? She couldn’t process it.
As lunch continued and the kids pulled Adam into their world of jokes and stories, his expression softened in a way rarely witnessed. Even his laugh–that elusive sound–escaped once or twice.
Watching this transformation, Sophia recalculated. These children clearly had a positive effect on her son, making him almost… normal. But their mother was another matter entirely.
The woman was undeniably striking–Sophia wasn’t blind. But beauty wasn’t enough for the Haven name. There had to be more to
the story.
She set down her førk, dabbed her lips with a napkin, and went for the jugular.
“These little ones are absolutely charming,” Sophia said with practiced warmth. “You’ve raised them beautifully, Dr. Sterling.” She paused, her eyes glittering. “Their father must be so proud. What does he do, if I may ask?”
Time seemed to stop around the table. Forks stilled. Breathing slowed.
Irene set her glass down slowly, heart thumping against her ribs. The children’s father–the blank space in her memory that still haunted her.
She looked up, meeting Sophia’s challenge directly. Whatever she said next would redraw the boundaries between everyone at this
table.
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