Chapter 253
Adam’s eyes went cold. ‘How afut you explain Natalie showing up my door? Direct hit, no deflection.
Sophia laughed, light and fake. “What? She’s good. Just looking out for you. Don’t like her? Whatever. But you needed a doctor today, didn’t you?”
She barreled on before he could answer. “And Lawrence isn’t gone for good. He’s just… old. When he’s better, he’s all yours.”
Adam said nothing, jaw working. His mother’s “help” always came with puppeteer strings, but right now frene mattered more than this same old fight.
Sophia wasn’t done. “Still doesn’t answer why Irene was in your guest room. Doesn’t she live right next door? What about those… kids of hers?” The last bit came out like she’d tasted something sour
“She helped at the clinic we funded, Adam snapped, voice razor–sharp. “Worked till she dropped. I gave her a place to crash. Her brothers have the kids. He didn’t wait for a comeback. “Gotta go. Busy day.”
He ended the call, turning to the window. The tension slowly drained from his shoulders as his thoughts drifted back upstairs.
Adam’s face gave nothing away, but his mind raced with ways to make her more comfortable.
–
“Thomas,” he called, voice matter–of–fact. “Go to Heart Delights. Get their signature pastries the almond ones. She mentioned Hiking them once.”
Thomas‘ eyebrow ticked up just slightly. “Want me to grab something for her kids too?”
Adam hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah. Good call. Whatever they like best.”
“Oh, and bump everything to video today,” Adam added. “I’m staying here.”
Thomas just nodded, not asking the obvious question.
Irene woke to golden afternoon light filtering through the curtains. The room had been tidied while she slept, not a thing out of
place.
On the nightstand sat a small array of pastries, including an almond cake she’d once mentioned to Thomas in passing.
She sat up, taking a small bite. The sweetness melted on her tongue as a strange realization hit her: nobody had ever taken care of
her like this. Not as Dr. Sterling. Not as Mom. Just her.
Laughter drifted through the window. She pushed back the covers and crossed to the glass. In the garden below, Adam sat listening to Alex, who was waving his hands around to illustrate some elaborate story. Lucas and Lily circled them, adding details and giggling.
–
Something hit Irene square in the thest not pain, but a feeling she hadn’t let herself experience in years.
“So what are we doing here?” she whispered to the empty room. “This isn’t doctor–patient stuff anymore, is it?” The thought should have terrified her. Instead, it felt like finally breathing after holding her breath for years.
Memories flashed: Adam on his knees tying Lucas’s shoes at Ocean World, completely focused. Adam telling his mother “Irene is all I need” without hesitation. Adam somehow seeing she was exhausted before she’d even admitted it.
She rubbed her wrist, still feeling phantom fingerprints where he’d grabbed her that day, how her stupid pulse had gone crazy at his
touch.
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Chapter 253
“This is such a bad idea,” she famured, watching him laugh at whatever Lily was saying. “But I cant seem to stop myself
Her phone buzzed look up.
Matthew fexting. She barely glanced at it before her eyes pulled back to the garden, right as Adam happened to
Their eyes met through the glass. The distance between them the window, the stories of space, their complicated lives – suddenly felt like nothing at all.
Irene’s heart hammered against her ribs. Something fundamental had shifted, and there was no going back.
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