Chapter 181
Time froze around the table. Feks stopped mid–air.
Irene set her glass down, heart racing. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, buying herself an extra second.
“The children don’t have a father.” She straightened the napkin on her lap. “Maybe that’s why they handle themselves better than most kids their age.”
Sophia blinked, caught off–guard. She dabbed the corner of her mouth with her napkin before recovering.
“I didn’t mean to pry,” she said, adjusting her bracelet. “But kids need a complete family. A father’s touch makes all the difference.”
Adam’s fingers tapped twice against his wheelchair. His jaw tightened.
“Speaking of which,” Sophia leaned forward, voice dropping conspiratorially. “Anyone special in your life, Dr. Sterling? I know some wonderful men who’d be thrilled to meet you.”
She reached for her water. “Women have it rough these days. Add three kids? You need someone solid. Don’t short–change yourself.”
Irene’s smile vanished. So that’s it. This lunch wasn’t about family bonding–it was about shoving Samantha forward and putting me in my place.
“Thanks, but I’m good.” Irene’s voice cooled several degrees. “My kids don’t need a father, and I don’t need setup help.”
Adam shifted, about to speak, but Samantha jumped in first.
“It’s no trouble, really,” Samantha gushed, touching Sophia’s arm. “Mrs. Haven knows the best people. With the right match, you could live easy. No more long work hours.” Her smile was tight. “Or tell me what you’re looking for. Happy to help.”
The dig was painfully obvious–like she’d flat–out called Irene a gold digger.
The triplets traded quick looks. Lucas nudged Alex, who cleared his throat.
“Miss Wright, got a boyfriend?” Alex asked, head tilted innocently.
Samantha froze, fork halfway to her mouth. Her eyes darted to Adam before answering, “Not currently.”
Alex smiled. “Maybe focus on that first. Finding someone gets harder with age.” He shrugged. “Guys like young, pretty women.”
He turned to Sophia. “Mrs. Haven, if you know good candidates, help Miss Wright first! Mom’s not rushing.”
“Exactly!” Lucas nodded vigorously, spilling water. Lily grabbed a napkin and dabbed it up, adding, “Having babies gets super hard when you’re older, too!”
Samantha’s face flushed, then paled. She gripped her fork so hard he knuckles turned white.
“What are you saying?!” she snapped, voice rising.
The triplets shrank back in their chairs, eyes wide.
“You’re scary,” Alex whispered, clutching his spoon. “Even TV bad guys aren’t this mean…”
Samantha’s mouth opened and closed. She’d been completely outmaneuvered by kindergartners.
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Chapter 181
Adam set down his knife with soft clink. He pushed his plate aside
“This is a dining room,” he said quietly. “Not a dating service. We’re ore to eat. He looked straight at Samantha. “If that’s a problem, there’s the door.”
Samantha looked like she’d been slapped. Sophia shifted uncomfortally.
Irene cut a piece of chicken, seemingly unfazed. The triplets followed her lead, suddenly very interested in their vegetables.
Sophia tugged Samantha’s sleeve, pulling her back into her seat. She spooned more salad onto Samantha’s plate.
Hand.
“Adam, ease up,” Sophia murmured, patting Samantha’s land. “No need for that tone. Fine, no setups–you young people do things your way.”
She turned to Irene with a tight smile. “Sorry for meddling. Old habits.”
“No big deal,” Irene replied, sipping her water. But she’d seen through the facade. This lunch had been a calculated move to remind her she was an outsider here,
After dessert, Irene pushed back her chair.
“We should head out,” she said, brushing crumbs from her lap. Her smile didn’t reach her eyes–nothing like the beach night. “Thanks for lunch.”
Adam caught the shift immediately. Something had changed. He watched her gather her things, confusion crossing his face.
The warmth they’d shared at the beach seemed to have evaporated entirely, replaced by a professional coldness he hadn’t felt from her in weeks. It bothered him more than he cared to admit–this sudden wall between them when they’d been making real progress, both with his legs and… whatever this thing between them was.
“Irene,” he said quietly, wheeling closer. “About tonight’s treatment-
“I’ll be there at eight,” she cut in, checking her watch. “Treatment schedule stays the same.”
Her tone was pure business. Adam paused, then nodded once, his fingers tightening almost imperceptibly on his armrest.
He wasn’t used to people pulling away from him–usually it was the other way around. The fact that he couldn’t interpret her, sudden coolness left him feeling oddly powerless, a sensation he hadn’t experienced since his accident.
Adam turned to his mother and Samantha, his expression hardening
“I’ve got work waiting,” he stated flatly. “Thomas will show you out.”
The dismissal hung in the air, heavy and unmistakable.
Sophia pursed her lips. Samantha clutched her purse, knuckles white. Neither argued–they’d gotten what they came for.
In the driveway, Samantha trailed behind Sophia, chest aching.
Why did Adam always ice her out? What was she missing? The way he watched Irene–actually interested, not just tolerating–cut deeper than she wanted to admit.
She’d spent years crafting the perfect approach, yet never got past polite indifference. It stung.
“Chin up,” Sophia squeezed her arm, noticing her slumped shoulders. Adam’s always been prickly–just his way. You’re still my pick.
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Chapter 181
Don’t overthink it.”
Samantha mustered a weak smile but stayed quiet. Sophia’s reassurance only highlighted the one thing that mattered–Adam’s actual interest–which she simply didn’t have.
At home, Irene kicked off her shoes by the door. Inside, she was rebuilding walls, brick by mental brick.
After sending the kids to play, she dropped onto her bed, suddenly exhausted. Her fingers absently touched her lips, still feeling that beach moment–his throat against her mouth, his weight pressing her down.
She frowned. That awkward lunch had been a much–needed wake–up call. It reminded her of the massive gap between their worlds- a gap she’d crossed once before and had sworn never to bridge again?
The last time she’d gotten involved with someone from this world, she’d ended up alone with three children and a broken heart. The familiar sting of those memories still had power, even after all these years.
Could handle snobs. It was how they looked at her kids that crossed
What bothered her most wasn’t their attitude toward her–she
the line. Nobody looked down on her children. Nobody.
Adams confused expression flashed in her mind–the way he’d watched her pull away. Something tugged in her chest. She rolled over, burying her face in her pillow.
Part of her wanted to explain, to tell him it wasn’t his fault, but getting closer to him meant getting closer to his world. And his world had already rejected her once before, in the cruelest way possible.
“Doctor and patient,” she muttered into the fabric. “That’s it. When he’s better, we’re done.”
She sat up and called for Alex. “Take this to Adam’s butler,” she said, handing him a folded note. “It’s about treatment.”
After he left, she flopped back down and closed her eyes. Maybe sleep would wash away these messy feelings–feelings she had no business having.
Distance was the only answer. She’d been down this road before and knew exactly where it led: nowhere good.
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