Chapter 151
You’ll stay home with Great–grandfather and behave yourselves,
be told the triplets, counting off on her fingers. Eat on time,
get to bed when you should, and don’t just play all day–stick to you study schedule, got it?”
The three kids nodded with suspiciously angelic smiles. The second tene turned to grab her suitcase, Alex pulled out his phone and started typing like a mini–spy, his tongue poking out in concentration.
Lucas and Lily crowded around him, practically climbing over each her to see the screen. The three traded looks that screamed “we’re definitely up to something before Alex hit send with a dramatic finger tap.
They watched Irene gather her last–minute items, barely containing ggles. Whatever scheme they’d cooked up clearly involved their mom and their potential “daddy.”
Up in the clouds, Irene stared out the airplane window, mind driftin Next to her, Adam flipped through documents, glancing her way now and then,
You should see some real progress after this treatment,” she said, breaking the quiet. “Just don’t expect miracles overnight.”
Adam looked up from his papers. “Thanks for coming. I know it was last–minute.”
They fell back into comfortable silence, but something had shifted–the air between them felt lighter somehow.
A sleek car whisked them from the airport to their hotel, a fancy place that stood out with its mix of modern luxury and garden
surroundings. Thomas was already bouncing on his heels at the entrance when they pulled up.
He hurried over to help with Adam’s chair, leading them into a lobby full of light and greenery.
“So? What do you think?” Thomas grinned, eyes darting between them like a kid showing off a school project.
“It’s nice,” Irene said, taking in the high ceilings and peaceful vibe.
Thomas’s smile wobbled slightly as he wiped his palms on his pants. This way,” he said, a bit too brightly. “Everything’s taken care
of.”
The elevator zoomed to the top floor. Thomas swiped a key card, taking a deep breath like he was about to jump off a cliff.
“Boss, right through here,” he said, pushing the door open.
Sunlight poured through massive windows into a living room that could have housed Irene’s entire first apartment. A plush sofa faced a view that made the city look like a postcard, and the subtle scent of something calming–lavender maybe?-hung in the air.
“Dr. Sterling, check it out!” Thomas called to Irene, who lingered in the doorway. “What do you think?”
Irene stepped inside, her eyes narrowing as she connected the dots. “Wait, I’m staying here too? With Adam?”
“Makes your treatments easier,” Thomas said, shifting his weight like a kid caught in a lie. “Plus, the hotel’s packed with tourists–no -other decent rooms available.”
He pointed to a spiral staircase. “It’s basically two separate places anyway. You’ll hardly cross paths.”
Irene walked the perimeter of what was essentially a small villa, weighing his words. With separate floors, they really would have their own space.
4
“Fine,” she decided. Though she couldn’t shake the feeling something fishy was going on.
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Chapter 151
Adam hadn’t said a word through all this, apparently finding seating arrangements heneath his notice.
Thomas’s shoulders dropped about three inches in teller. “Great! You two rest up, I’ll go make some calls.” He backed toward the door like he couldn’t escape fast enough.
In the hallway, Thomas yanked out his phone, dabbing sweat from his forehead. His fingers flew across the screen:
Done! Same suite!”
He stared at the triplets‘ message from earlier, shaking his head. “Taking orders from five–year–olds to play matchmaker… I’ve officially lost it,” he muttered, pocketing his phone.
Upstairs, Adam frowned at his laptop screen, signing contracts with quick clicks. Though his eyes stayed glued to his work, his attention kept drifting to the clock on his desk. The sun crept across the room, painting the walls in warmer and warmer hues.
His phone buzzed with a text from Thomas about work. After a brief eply, Adam paused, then added: “Dinner in the suite at 7.”
He looked toward the door leading downstairs, wondering what Irene was up to. All this rushing to get here, and they didn’t even have meetings until tomorrow. She’d only come along to keep his treatments on track.
After checking the time once more, he decided dinner together was the least he could offer.
Irene woke from a nap feeling antsy. She wandered downstairs and flipped on the TV, hunting for something to kill time.
Adam’s door hadn’t budged all afternoon. “CEO life must be non–stop, she thought, eyes drifting upward for the hundredth time.
She tried to lose herself in Netflix, but her focus kept slipping to that closed door upstairs. What was he doing up there? She shifted on the couch, forcing her attention back to the screen, only to find herself wondering again minutes later.
At seven sharp, Adam rolled into the dining area just as hotel staff arrived with covered dishes. Irene blinked in surprise at the timing.
She focused on cutting her steak, the knife scraping against fine china.
“Sorry for ditching you all day,” Adam said, watching her. “Bored out of your mind yet? I could have someone show you around tomorrow if you want.”
Irene shrugged without looking up. “It’s fine.” She stabbed a piece of meat. “Don’t worry about me.”
This setup was hardly torture–good food, peace and quiet, no triplets causing chaos. Way better than her early days in R Country, working hospital doubles and surviving on vending machine dinners.
Adam studied her face, seeming to weigh something in his mind before returning to his food. They ate mostly in silence, with brief mentions of tomorrow’s schedule.
After a few bites, Adam checked his watch, mental gears obviously turning about work left unfinished.
When plates were empty, Adam backed away from the table. “I need to finish some work first,” he said, turning toward the stairs. “We can do the treatment session afterward.”
Irene watched him go a crease between her eyebrows. She grabbed a piece of bread, chewing thoughtfully as she stared at the closed door.
“No way he came out just to have dinner with me,” she murmured to herself, but immediately brushed away the thought.
What Irene didn’t realize was how right she’d been.
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Chapter 151.
Adam had deliberately carved out time from his packed schedule, n wanting her to feel abandoned in a strange city. Even with deadlines looming, he’d felt she deserved company, at least for a meal.
As Irene stood to head back to her room, her phone lit up with the plets faces. Her frown instantly melted into a smile as she
answered the call.
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