CHAPTER 4

MAYA POV

The scent of the lilies made me want to throw up again. Derek stood there, looking tired and desperate, holding the bouquet like a shield. I stepped out of the elevator, but I didn't stop walking.

"Maya, please," Derek said, following me through the lobby. "I’ve been calling you for two days. I went to the apartment, but the locks were changed."

"I told the landlord I didn't feel safe," I said, my voice cold. I headed toward the glass revolving doors. "Which is true. I don't feel safe around people who lie to my face for three years."

"It was a mistake, Maya. One night. Chloe and I... we were both drunk and—"

I stopped at the curb and turned to face him. "Is that the script? You were drunk? You were in my bed, Derek. In the apartment I pay half the rent for."

"I'll make it up to you. Just come home. We can talk about this over dinner. I bought those steaks you like." He reached out to touch my arm, but I flinched away.

"There is no home to go back to," I said. "And I'm not hungry."

A sleek black sedan pulled up to the curb, cutting off Derek’s next sentence. The window rolled down, and Julian’s driver, Marcus, looked out.

"Miss Brooks? Mr. Sterling instructed me to take you home," Marcus said.

Derek looked at the car, then at me, his eyes narrowing. "Who is that? Since when do you have a private driver, Maya?"

"He’s my boss, Derek. Something you would know if you ever asked about my life instead of talking about your fantasy football league." I turned to the car. "Thank you, Marcus."

I got into the back seat, leaving Derek standing on the sidewalk with his dying lilies. As we pulled away, I leaned my head against the cool leather. My stomach was still doing flips, and the weight of the plastic stick in my bag felt like a lead brick.

"Are you alright, Miss Brooks?" Marcus asked, watching me through the rearview mirror. "Mr. Sterling said you weren't feeling well."

"I'm just tired, Marcus. It's been a long day."

"Mr. Sterling is very thorough," Marcus noted. "He’s already cleared your schedule for tomorrow. He said you’re to stay in bed until he returns from his trip."

"He did what?" I sat up. "He can't just decide when I work."

"He’s the CEO, miss. I believe he can."

The car didn't take me back to my apartment. Instead, we pulled up to a quiet, high-end residential building near the park. It wasn't Julian’s place, but it wasn't mine either.

"Where are we?" I asked.

"Mr. Sterling thought your current living situation might be... stressful. He’s arranged a corporate suite for you here. Your things from the apartment have already been moved."

I stepped out of the car, feeling a mix of anger and relief. He was overstepping, taking control of my life without asking. But the thought of not having to see Derek or Chloe tonight made my chest loosen just a little.

The suite was on the twelfth floor. It was beautiful, filled with neutral tones and soft lighting. On the kitchen island, there was a bag of groceries—crackers, ginger tea, and several bottles of mineral water.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. It was a text from an unknown number.

Eat the crackers. Drink the tea. We will talk on Wednesday. — J.

I threw the phone onto the sofa and went to the kitchen. I made a cup of tea, the steam warming my face. I was sitting at the island when the doorbell rang. I froze. Was it Derek? Had he followed the car?

I walked to the door and looked through the peephole. It wasn't Derek. It was Julian.

He wasn't at the airport. He was standing in the hallway, still in his navy suit, looking as if he hadn't moved since the meeting. I opened the door.

"I thought you had a flight," I said.

"I pushed it back," Julian replied. He walked past me into the suite, his presence immediately making the large room feel small. He looked around, checking the groceries on the counter. "You haven't eaten."

"I'm not hungry," I repeated.

Julian turned to face me. He didn't look angry, but there was an intensity in his eyes that made it hard to breathe. "Maya, let's stop playing. You fainted at the office. You have a pharmacy receipt for prenatal vitamins in your bag. And you’re currently hiding in a corporate suite because your ex-boyfriend is stalking you in the lobby."

"I didn't faint. I just felt dizzy."

"Sit down," he said, pointing to the sofa.

"Stop giving me orders, Julian. I’m not in the boardroom right now."

He stepped toward me, his voice dropping to that low, dangerous tone. "This isn't about the company. This is about what happened on Saturday night. If you’re carrying my child, you don't get to walk away and pretend it didn't happen."

"I don't even know if it's yours," I lied, the words coming out sharper than I intended.

Julian laughed, a short, dry sound. He moved closer, trapping me between his body and the kitchen counter. He leaned in, his breath warm against my ear. "We both know that’s a lie. You were terrified that night, Maya. You were new to it all. Don't try to play me."

I pushed against his chest, but he didn't budge. "What do you want from me, Julian? Do you want me to sign a non-disclosure agreement? Do you want to pay for an appointment? Just tell me the price and let me go."

Julian grabbed my wrists, holding them firmly but not painfully. He looked me straight in the eyes. "I don't want your silence, and I don't want to pay you off."

"Then what?"

"I want you to see a specialist tomorrow morning. Marcus will pick you up at eight." He let go of my wrists and stepped back, smoothing his suit jacket. "And Maya?"

"What?"

"If those results are positive, you aren't going back to that marketing office. You’ll be moving into the penthouse with me."

He didn't wait for me to argue. He turned and walked out of the suite, the heavy door clicking shut behind him. I stood in the middle of the kitchen, the steam from my tea long gone.

The silence in the room was louder than any of his words. I walked to the window and watched his car pull away from the curb, disappearing into the city traffic.