This Time He Pursues Me With All Chapter 119

Maya's POV:

The moving crew was terrifyingly efficient. In thirty minutes, they had loaded everything I packed the night before onto the truck.

I drove my car to Marlborough Street. The brownstone was only three miles from the old complex, a short drive.

The envelope James had given me sat on the passenger seat. I found the security code inside and punched it into the keypad. The heavy door clicked open.

Once the movers unloaded the boxes and left, I started organizing. It wasn't much. Mostly Amy’s clothes and her mountain of toys.

Feel a bit hungry. I went to the kitchen to start dinner.

I was stirring a pot of soup when a pair of large hands suddenly clamped onto my waist.

I gasped, the ladle slipping from my fingers. I spun around, heart hammering, and glared at the intruder.

"Are you a ghost?" I snapped. "You walk without making a sound."

Adam Sterling bent down. He rested his chin on my shoulder, his heavy frame crowding me against the counter. "The range hood is too loud."

I tried to shrug him off. "You scared me to death."

"It’s good to come home to you, Maya," he murmured, his voice low and warm against my ear.

I stiffened. "Let’s get one thing straight. This is *my* house. You transferred the deed. You don't live here."

Adam didn't move. "I’m seeking asylum."

"Application denied."

"Maya..."

"Don't distract me. I’m cooking."

He sighed, his breath tickling my neck, but he finally let go. He turned and walked out of the kitchen.

When I carried the food to the dining room ten minutes later, the playful mood was gone. Adam stood by the bay window, phone pressed to his ear. His back was rigid.

"What do I pay them for? Tell them to redo it." His voice was cold, sharp enough to cut glass. "I’m giving them twenty-four hours."

I set the bowl down silently.

I stuck my tongue out at his back. He was terrifying when he was in CEO mode. I didn't dare call him to the table.

I retreated to the kitchen to wipe the counters. When I returned, he had ended the call. He sat at the head of the table, looking tired.

I placed a bowl of soup in front of him. "Drink some. It might cool your temper."

Adam looked up. "Did I scare you?"

I sat down and buried my face in my bowl. "No."

It was a lie.

Adam Sterling was the "Prince of Boston." He controlled Sterling Global. A single word from him could crush a company. Seeing him scold his subordinates reminded me of the gap between us. It was that same power that forced Thomas Garrison to wire fifty million dollars to my account this morning.

Speaking of the money.

I poured myself a bowl of soup and raised it. "Adam, I need to thank you. Here’s a toast."

He looked at me, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Thanking me for what? My performance in bed?"

I rolled my eyes. "Dream on. I’m talking about the severance."

Adam took a spoonful of soup. "Did you receive the funds?"

"Yeah. I almost had a heart attack. I thought the finance department added too many zeros."

He chuckled softly. "You need to think bigger, Maya."

"How much are you actually worth?" I asked suddenly.

"Billions."

I fell silent. Of course. Fifty million was life-changing for me. For him, it was pocket change.

"So, you have fifty million now. Are you still going to work?"

"Work?" I scoffed. "I got fired today."

Adam slammed his hand on the table. "They fired you?" He looked genuinely angry. "Why? You didn't do anything wrong! That’s unacceptable."

He reached across the table and grabbed my hand. "Maya, don't be sad. I’ll make them pay. I’ll settle the score."

I pulled my hand away. "Don't bother. Honestly, I get it. Thomas lost fifty million because of me. Firing me was probably the only way he could sleep at night. Let’s just keep the peace."

Adam studied my face. "Are you really not upset?"

"If I didn't have the money, I’d be panicking," I admitted. "But now? I have fifty million dollars and a house. I could not work for two years and be fine."

Adam leaned forward. His gaze was intense. "If you married me, you wouldn't have to work for the rest of your life."

I looked him in the eye. "You’re wrong. Spending money from a man’s pocket never feels safe. It’s never truly yours. Spending my own money? That’s peace of mind."

"I would fill your accounts," he insisted. "You wouldn't have to ask. Everything I have would be yours."

"You say that now," I countered. "But what about later? When you get tired of me? Then I become the leech. The woman who does nothing and just spends your money."

Adam looked frustrated. "My feelings for you aren't going to change."

"Adam, stop," I said wearily. "Nothing is absolute. Don't sell me dreams. I’m not a naive little girl anymore."

He fell silent for a moment. Then he tried again. "Do you want to come work for me? Sterling Global needs a new Executive Assistant."

I didn't even look up. "No."

"Maya..."

"Eat," I interrupted. "Your soup is getting cold."

***

After dinner, I loaded the dishwasher. The machine hummed to life.

I wiped my hands and went upstairs to the master bedroom.

Adam was there.

He stood in the middle of the room, his back to me. He was staring down into an open cardboard box I hadn't finished unpacking.

My stomach dropped. I rushed forward.

"What are you doing? Don't touch my things!"

Adam turned slowly. In his hand, he held the Judy Hopps plush doll.

He looked at the doll, then at me. "You kept it. Maya..."

"Don't read into it," I said quickly. I snatched the doll from his hand and tossed it back into the box. My heart hammered against my ribs. "It’s not about you. I just... I like the character."

Adam didn't move. He looked down into the box. His eyes landed on a silver bracelet he gave me.

Panic flared. I grabbed a book and threw it into the box, covering the jewelry.

Adam’s mouth curved into a faint, knowing smile. "I can help you unpack."

"No!" I crossed my arms, blocking the box with my body. "I don't need your help."

He didn't push. He just nodded slowly. "Okay."

He turned and walked out of the master bedroom.

I let out a shaky breath. I stomped my foot in frustration. I had been careless. I unpacked Amy’s toys downstairs, but I hadn't expected him to wander in here.

Twenty minutes later, I stepped out into the hallway.

I noticed a light spilling from the guest room down the hall. The door was ajar.

I walked over and pushed it open.

Adam was sitting in the bed. He was wearing black pajamas. His laptop was balanced on his knees, the blue light illuminating his focused face.

I walked into the room and yanked open the closet door.

It was full of his clothes.