Chapter 326: I’m Going to Be an Uncle

Adrian and James turned at the sound of the voice.

Maxwell was walking toward them with an easy grin, his hands tucked casually into his pockets.

James’s eyes widened in disbelief.

"Maxwell?"

Maxwell stopped beside Adrian and nodded toward the car. "Come on, Adrian. Let’s get moving. My brother’s already breathing down my neck, asking where we are."

Slipping out of the other man’s embrace, James hurried after him. "Maxwell... when did you get back?"

Maxwell didn’t respond. He simply continued looking at Adrian as if James hadn’t spoken.

"Maxwell," James called again, his voice tighter this time.

Only then did Maxwell slowly turn his head. His expression was calm, unreadable.

"What is it, James?"

"I asked you a question."

Maxwell’s gaze drifted slowly from James to the man standing beside him before returning to James. A faint, humorless smile tugged at his lips.

"And what question was that?"

"Can we catch up later?" James asked quietly. "Can I at least have your new number?"

The smile on Maxwell’s lips faded almost instantly. "No," he replied calmly. "I’m sorry. We have to go."

Without waiting for another word, one of the bodyguards stepped forward and opened the car door. Maxwell got into the back seat without looking back.

Adrian lingered for a moment before stepping closer to James, lowering his voice with a knowing smile.

"Don’t give up if you really want him. I already claimed the only one in that family who does the chasing. The rest of them... you have to chase yourself." He let out a soft chuckle. "But trust me, he wants you. You just have to show him how far you’re willing to go for him."

James looked from Adrian to the tinted windows of the car, a flicker of determination settling in his eyes.

He dipped his head respectfully. "Thank you, Boss."

Adrian gave James’s shoulder a reassuring pat, turned on his heel, and climbed into the vehicle.

The heavy doors clicked shut, and the luxury car smoothly pulled away from the curb, disappearing into the flow of traffic.

James stood there for a long moment, watching the car until it vanished from sight. Then he let out a slow breath. His friend quietly slipped his hand back into James’s, giving it a gentle squeeze. James glanced at him briefly before intertwining their fingers and turning to head back inside the restaurant.

Inside the sleek, climate-controlled interior of the car, Adrian stole a sideways glance at Maxwell but kept quiet, allowing the heavy silence to linger.

Maxwell remained turned toward the window, watching the city blur past in a stream of glass and steel. After a long moment, he let out a slow, weary breath. Pulling his phone from his pocket, he began scrolling aimlessly, his jaw clenched.

Adrian finally cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "Maxwell... are you okay?"

Maxwell glanced up, forcing a faint, unconvincing smile. "Yeah. I’m fine."

Adrian wasn’t convinced. "You definitely don’t look fine," he said, tilting his head with a smile. "Are you jealous?"

Maxwell let out a short, humorless laugh. "Why the hell would I be jealous?" he muttered, turning his gaze back to the window. "I knew this day would come sooner or later."

Adrian studied him for a moment before speaking again. "Don’t be so hard on yourself, Maxwell. Why don’t you talk to him instead of shutting him out?"

"Talk to him and say what?" Maxwell said, his voice hardening as the bitterness finally surfaced. "Then what? Look at him. He has a boyfriend now. He clearly moved on."

Adrian opened his mouth to respond. "Not every—"

"Bro, please, just drop it," Maxwell cut in, running a hand over his face. "I’m doing it for his own good. Besides... He looked happy. That’s how it’s supposed to be."

Adrian held up his hands in a small gesture of surrender, a sympathetic sigh slipping past his lips. "Fine. If that’s really what you think, I won’t say another word."

Maxwell looked over at Adrian, his expression softening as guilt washed over him. "I’m sorry if I sounded rude. I just want you to understand that, right now, letting him go is the best thing I can do for him."

Adrian met his gaze, his voice gentle but firm. "It’s okay, Maxwell. I just want you to remember something, James never said he was happy without you. So how can you be so sure he is?" He paused briefly before continuing. "Don’t hurt him in the name of protecting him when he never asked you to."

Maxwell parted his lips, but the words caught in his throat.

Adrian spoke again, his voice soft. "Ask yourself, Max... is this really what you want? Don’t lie to yourself. Your feelings matter too."

Maxwell turned back to the window, his chest tightening as unshed tears burned behind his eyes.

"Take all the time you need," Adrian said, offering him a reassuring smile. "I’m not telling you to run back to James. I’m just asking you to choose what truly makes you happy."

Maxwell slowly turned back to Adrian. He sat in thoughtful silence for a long moment before finally breaking it. "Thank you, bro."

Adrian smiled warmly. "You’re welcome. Just take your time."

The rest of the drive passed in comfortable silence. Eventually, the vehicle glided to a stop in the driveway, and Adrian and Maxwell stepped out into the cool air.

Adrian immediately strode toward the house, leaving Maxwell a few steps behind. He hurried through the grand double doors of the foyer, where the bowing guards and passing maids greeted him respectfully.

"Where’s Matteo?" Adrian asked without breaking stride.

"In the main living room, sir," one of the maids replied.

Adrian instantly changed direction and headed straight for the main living room. As he drew closer, he heard Matteo chatting with someone inside. Naturally, he assumed Mark had come over. But the moment he stepped through the doorway, he realized his assumption was wrong.

It wasn’t Mark.

It was Maya.

Adrian’s eyes widened in surprise. "Sis?!"

Without a second thought, he hurried over to Matteo first, leaning down to plant a quick, affectionate kiss on his cheek.

"Baby, I’m back."

Matteo looked up, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Welcome back, baby."

Before Matteo could say another word, Adrian turned toward Maya and rushed into her arms, wrapping her in a tight embrace.

"Oh my God, Maya!" Adrian exclaimed, burying his face against her shoulder. "I missed you so damn much!"

Just then, Maxwell stepped into the living room. The moment he spotted Maya, a warm smile crossed his face.

"Hello, sister," Maxwell offered a polite, warm greeting.

"Hi, Maxwell," Maya replied with a cheerful smile and a small wave.

Matteo rose from the couch, smoothing down the front of his shirt. "I’ll be right back. Let me go talk to Max for a second."

"Okay, baby," Adrian murmured absentmindedly, his eyes never leaving his sister’s face.

Matteo lightly caught Maxwell’s arm and guided him toward the hallway, leaving Adrian and Maya to themselves.

Adrian immediately turned his full attention back to his sister, his expression softening from excitement into concern.

"I’ve been so worried about you, Maya. Especially after how stressed you’ve sounded on the phone lately. Is everything okay? Is Connor treating you right?"

He gently cupped her face, searching her eyes. "Tell me the truth... are you really okay?"

Maya offered a small, hesitant smile before lowering her gaze. "Everything’s fine, Adrian. It’s just..."

"It’s just what?" Adrian pressed, his heart instantly beginning to race.

Instead of answering, Maya unzipped her designer bag, reached inside, and pulled out a neatly folded medical report. She held it out to him.

Adrian accepted it mechanically, his eyes flicking from the document back to Maya’s face. "You’re seriously scaring me. Is everything really okay?"

"Just read it," she urged softly.

Adrian took a slow breath to steady himself before unfolding the report. His eyes swept over the header—Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology—then immediately dropped to the bold word near the bottom.

Positive.

Adrian’s breath caught. "Oh my God..." he whispered in disbelief.

His eyes snapped back to Maya’s face. "Wait..."

He abruptly shot to his feet, staring at her as though trying to process what he’d just read. A second later, he dropped back onto the couch, still looking completely stunned.

"Are... are you telling me a baby is growing inside you right now?"

Maya nodded, a radiant smile breaking through the tears gathering in her eyes.

"Yes."

Adrian clapped a hand over his mouth as tears instantly welled in his eyes.

"Wow..."

Without another word, he threw his arms around her, pulling her into a fierce, heartfelt hug. "Congratulations, sis. God... congratulations. I’m so, so happy for you."

"Thank you, bro," Maya replied, her voice thick with emotion as she hugged him back.

Adrian pulled away, wiping a tear from his cheek with a breathless laugh. "I swear, I can’t believe this. I’m actually crying right now. This is... this is so beautiful, Maya."

Maya laughed softly through her own tears. "Those are tears of joy, dummy."

Adrian let out a watery laugh, a huge smile spreading across his face.

"I’m going to be an uncle."