Samantha flipped through page of information in her quiet suite, he mouth twitching into a smile that turned progressively colder with each page she turned. She fossed the papers onto the table next to her laptop, which displayed old news headlines about Irene Sterling’s social disgrace.
So she’s the one who caused that scandal back then, Samantha murmured, leaning forward to study the screen more closely. Her finger traced across an especially unflattering headline.
She let out a soft, disbelieving laugh. “Emerald Garden? Really? She clicked through more articles, her eyebrows inching higher with each revelation. “I was worried about nothing.”
Samantha stood suddenly, pacing the room with renewed energy. Her hand flew up in a dismissive gesture as she spoke to the empty room.
“Three kids with no father in the picture,” she said, voice dripping with disdain. “Family reputation completely shot.” She stopped at the window, staring out with a triumphant gleam in her eyes. “Not even acknowledged by the Sterlings anymore.”
She turned back to the laptop, slamming it shut with a decisive snap. “This is the woman I was worried about? Samantha laughed again, this time with genuine relief. Her shoulders relaxed as she sank back into her chair.
“Adam would never,” she declared confidently, the tension visibly draining from her face. She crossed her legs and reached for her phone, suddenly eager to schedule her next dinner with the Havens.
The worry lines that had creased her forehead all week smoothed out completely. Samantha glanced at her reflection in a nearby mirror and smiled–not the practiced, perfect smile she used at social events, but a real one born of genuine relief.
“Game over before it even started,” she whispered, fingers already tapping out a message to Mrs. Haven asking about Adam’s upcoming appointments.
The next morning, Irene tied her hair back into a simple ponytail, pleased to feel steady on her feet again. The fever that had knocked her flat yesterday had mostly retreated after a night of solid rest. She felt almost back to normal–just a slight lingering fatigue that she could easily push through.
As she made her way downstairs, she found Adam already waiting in the foyer. His eyes tracked her movement, assessing her condition with a quick, thorough glance. The concern from yesterday had been replaced by something more measured, though still attentive.
“How are you feeling?” he asked, his voice carrying just a hint of warmth beneath the usual businesslike tone.
“Much better, Irene replied with an easy smile. “No more dizziness, and the fever’s gone. I’m completely fine now.”
He nodded once, seemingly satisfied with her self–assessment. “Then let’s go.”
The simple exchange carried none of the awkwardness from the day before. As they headed to the hospital, conversation flowed more naturally than it had in weeks, punctuated by comfortable silences neither felt compelled to fill.
The hospital’s examination room hummed with quiet efficiency. Medical equipment beeped softly in the background while fluorescent lights cast everything in a clinical glow.
Try not to tense up. This is just a routine neural response test,” Irene instructed, her voice taking on a different quality- professional, authoritative, clear. Gone was the casual tone she typically used, replaced by something that commanded instant
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Chapter 163.
respect.
Adam lay on the examination table, momentarily caught off guard by this transformation. The white coat suited her perfectly, revealing a confidence and expertise he hadn’t fully appreciated before. This wasn’t just Irene the neighbor or the triplets mother- this was Dr. Sterling, clearly in her element.
Katherine moved efficiently nearby, preparing equipment and handing Irene a small device. “Latest neural response monitor. Much more precise than the previous models.”
Irene took it with practiced ease, adjusting settings with quick, decisive movements. She carefully placed several small sensor pads at specific points along Adam’s legs, her touch gentle yet clinical,
“You might feel slight tingling or discomfort. That’s completely normal,” she explained, eyes focused intently on the readings appearing on the monitor.
Adam nodded, surprisingly at ease. Normally, he despised these moments of vulnerability–being examined, poked, and prodded. Yet under Irene’s care, the usual irritation never materialized. Instead, an unfamiliar sense of security settled over him.
She’s completely different here, he realized, watching her concentrated profile. Like she’s wearing an entirely different face. This is her real domain,
As she worked, her face changed from deep concefitration to quick flashes of satisfaction whenever good readings popped up on screen. She was completely wrapped up in her work, her hands moving quickly but carefully. Adam caught himself watching her face, seeing things he’d never noticed–how her eyebrows pulled together when she focused, the way her eyes brightened when she found what she wanted.
I’ve never seen her like this before… so in her element, he thought, feeling something stir in his chest he couldn’t quite name.
When her fingers moved along his leg, checking one of the sensors, the touch felt different from their regular sessions–more careful, maybe, but also filled with a kind of care he wasn’t used to.
Later, Adam waited in the corridor, fingers tapping a rhythmless pattern against his wheelchair armrest. When Irene emerged from the staff room, he looked up right away, his face more relaxed than usual.
“How are the results?” he asked, his voice softer than his usual business tone.
She crouched down in front of him, bringing them to eye level. The sudden closeness caught him off guard–he could see the tiny specks of color in her eyes, the slight flush in her cheeks left from yesterday’s fever. Her eyes showed more than just doctor’s concern; there was real warmth there.
“Better than we hoped. Your nerves are responding much stronger now,” she said, her voice bright with real excitement. “That’s a really good sign.”
He held her gaze, feeling a trust he rarely gave to doctors. With others, he always stayed skeptical, questioning everything they told him. With Irene, the doubt just wasn’t there.
“Thank you,” he said quietly, almost whispering but meaning every word.
She stood up, giving his shoulder a light pat. “Don’t thank me. Your body’s doing the hard work.” She paused, a small smile tugging at her lips. “And believe me, we’re just getting started.”
They locked eyes a beat too long. Adam looked away first, something he rarely did with anyone.
“Didn’t you say something about lunch?” she asked, easing the moment.
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He nodded. “New place across the street. People say it’s good.”
“Sounds great. Let me grab my bag,” Irene said, then stopped. “Actually, I need to see someone first. Should only take about ten
minutes.
Take your time. I’ll be here, he replied, watching as she walked away.
She moved quickly through the corridor toward another part of the hospital. Adam followed her with his eyes until she disappeared, surprised by how much he was already looking forward to her coming back.
She really is different… he thought. Nothing like anyone else I’ve ever met
In another section of the hospital, Irene approached a plain white door. She had one quick stop to make before lunch.
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