Chapter 115
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Samantha paced her bedroom, checking her phone for the hundredth time. The stylist was still working on her hair, but her mind was elsewhere. Her birthday celebration was finally here, and her stomach fluttered with a mix of excitement and nerves.
“Miss, please hold still,” the stylist pleaded, trying to pin another section of her updo.
“Sorry.” Samantha sighed, eyes locked on her screen. No messages from Adam. No confirmation he’d show up tonight.
But Sophia had promised. She’d personally guaranteed Adam would be there.
The thought steadied her. Sophia never made promises she couldn’t keep, especially about her son. Things would work out perfectly -they had to. She’d been planning this night for months.
As evening settled over Silver City, her confidence returned. The Havens wouldn’t dare miss the social event of the season. And
Adam? He’d have no choice but to attend.
A sleek black car pulled up outside Adam’s villa at exactly 7:00 PM. The driver hurried around to open the door, and Sophia emerged in an evening gown that walked the line between sophisticated and eye–catching.
Her jewelry caught the light–just enough to signal her position in Silver City’s social hierarchy. She’d picked everything carefully: dressy enough for Samantha’s birthday but not so flashy that she’d steal attention.
Sophia checked her reflection in the car window, smoothing an imaginary wrinkle before climbing the steps to Adam’s front door. She’d tipped off Thomas about her visit, ensuring there’d be no convenient excuses about Adam being “busy.”
When Thomas opened the door, his face screamed discomfort.
“Mrs. Haven,” he greeted, stepping aside. “He’s in his study.”
“Perfect.” Sophia swept past him, heels clicking against the floor.
She found Adam right where she knew he’d be–nose deep in paperwork, ignoring everything else. The sight triggered her usual mix of pride and frustration. Her brilliant, driven son who never seemed to make time for anything beyond his company.
“Darling,” she announced, not bothering to knock, “surely you haven’t forgotten what day it is? Thomas, please find Adam a suitable
suit for the evening.”
Adam didn’t even look up. “Don’t bother. I’m not going. Video conference with Singapore later.”
Sophia stood perfectly still, saying nothing. The silence stretched between them, a tactic that had worked since Adam was small. Eventually, he’d cave to avoid the awkwardness.
But Adam had outgrown such tricks. He finally looked up, his expression hard.
“Mother, I wish you’d stop meddling with my personal life,” he said, Moice clipped. “Stop trying to match me with anyone. I’m not in the mood for it.
Even without his leg injury limiting his movement, the last thing Adam wanted was being forced into some alliance masquerading as a marriage. His company wasn’t desperate enough to require him sacrificing his happiness for business advantages. And he certainly wouldn’t spend his life with someone he felt nothing for.
Sophia’s expression softened. “I understand you’ve been avoiding parties because of your legs, but hiding away isn’t healthy. You’re
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twenty–six now. Your father and I won’t be around forever. I just want someone who’ll look after you, someone who’ll give us peace
of mind.”
Adam nearly laughed. “I have Tomas and everyone else. I don’t need more caretakers. Bottom line–I don’t have the energy for dating or mingling right now. Please drop it.”
The room got tense, filled with all the things they weren’t saying.
Sophia looked at her son, her heart aching with too many feelings at once. The man before her was no longer the little boy who needed her guidance for everything. Seeing Adam’s cold face made her chest hurt. As his mother, all she wanted was his happiness- why couldn’t he see that?
“I’m not forcing you,” Sophia sighed, her tone softening. But would kill you to consider your mother’s suggestions occasionally? I only want to see you happy.”
Her son was exceptional in every way–successful, smart, driven. She just wanted someone worthy of him. Why couldn’t he
understand?
on the
Adam’s tight fingers slowly relaxed as his expression thawed slightly. “I’m fine the way things are.”
A movement at the doorway caught their attention. Irene stood there, momentarily surprised to see Sophia all dressed up.
“Mrs. Haven,” Irene nodded politely.
That gown and perfect hair–she must be headed to that Wright girl’s birthday. I remember them mentioning it when I met them a few days ago.
Sophia’s gaze shifted to Irene, studying her with new interest. She took her time, eyes moving from Irene’s casual outfit to her composed expression.
Do they really need treatments this often? Irene seems unusually close to my son–not typical for a doctor–patient relationship.
“Irene,” Sophia said warmly, the picture of grace. “Our meeting the other day was so fushed. I haven’t properly thanked you for all your efforts with my son’s recovery.”
“No need,” Irene replied with a slight smile. “It’s my job.”
She’s surprisingly humble–rare in Silver City’s upper circles.
Sophia’s face filled with genuine concern. “What are the chances of his legs fully recovering? We’ve consulted many specialists, and they all said the odds were quite low…”
“The chances are indeed slim,” Irene replied, maintaining her professional tone. “But I’ll do everything possible.”
“I appreciate that,” Sophia nodded. “What’s your full name? You seem quite young. Are you originally from here?”
Her smile was warm, her interest seemingly genuine.
Irene’s eyes flickered briefly, but her expression remained neutral. “My name is Irene Sterling. I am from Silver City, but I’ve been studying and working abroad until recently.”
Irene rarely discussed her personal life. Even when directly asked, she kept her answers brief.
Just returned from abroad? That information immediately calmed some of Sophia’s worries. She knew her son well. They probably haven’t known each other long. Likely nothing special between them.
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Adam caught his mother’s probing questions and frowned. “Mother, you’re running late. I can have Thomas drive you.”
“No need, my driver is waiting, Sophia waved dismissively.
She clearly caught her son’s hint and was indeed conscious of the time. Before leaving, she glanced at Irene once more.
“Then I’ll leave my son in your capable hands.” She offered Irene a polite smile before turning to leave, her heart heavy. Why does he always try to get rid of me when someone else is around?
As Sophia reached the doorway, something on the wall caught her attention. A colorful drawing, obviously created by a child, showing a man in a wheelchair who was unmistakably her son. She paused briefly, gaze lingering thoughtfully before quietly leaving.
In the car, Sophia reflected on what she’d seen–the drawing was clearly a gift from a child to Adam, and it showed him with Irene and what appeared to be her family together. It seems this doctor in my son’s life might be doing more than just treating his legs…
After Sophia left, Irene finally broke the site. “Did your mother misunderstand something about us…?”
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