The Heir's Secret Bride

Maeve nearly choked on the pill she had yet to swallow. She quickly took a sip of water, and once the tightness in her throat eased, she cast a bitter glance at Byron. "That was ages ago. Are you still holding a grudge?" "Then why didn't you listen to me? You refused to wear a coat just to look good in the dead of winter, Byron said pointedly.

"I didn't catch this cold from not wearing a coat last time, Maeve argued.

Byron's gaze grew colder. "Who else but you would even think of sleeping on the couch without a blanket in the middle of winter?"

Maeve was at a loss for words, her defiant stance weakening. 'I didn't mean to fall asleep. I just got so wrapped up in my thoughts that I dozed off, she thought. But she didn't say anything more to avoid further reproach. Byron didn't press further. He took the empty cup from her hand and headed for the door.

"Where are you going?" Maeve asked, her gaze lingering on him Perhaps it was because of the illness, but she felt a strong desire to cling to him, reluctant to see him leave.

Byron cast a sidelong glance at her as though he could read her thoughts. "Go back to sleep. I'll be working outside." If he worked in the bedroom, she would never get any rest today.

"Alright." Maeve pulled the blanket up and quietly shrank back under it.

Byron's lips curled into a faint smile as he closed the door behind him.

Once the medicine took effect, Maeve fell asleep again. When she woke up, it was already dark outside. A wall lamp by the bed cast a warm, gentle glow that wasn't harsh on the eyes. In her groggy state, Maeve figured Byron must have turned it on. perhaps afraid she would be startled by waking up to complete darkness.

I'm not a child anymore, Maeve thought, her mind and emotions in disarray. Isn't he in love with Karen? Why is he being so nice to me?' All of this gave her the illusion that she was loved His kindness was like a drug, seeping into her very bones bit by bit until she could no longer resist. But she knew that this kindness was fleeting and wouldn't last forever.

"Perhaps he's acting out of pity or still needs my help with his grandfather. Whatever the reason, I must not get attached, Maeve thought, determined not to let her emotions sway. She threw off the covers, got out of bed, and walked out of the bedroom.

'Byron is probably back at the hospital with Karen, Maeve thought in passing before she heard a noise from the living room. She hurried over to find Byron standing by the window, talking on the phone.

He turned around when he heard her footsteps and first glanced at her feet. After making sure that she was wearing shoes, he put the phone down and said softly, "Dinner is in the kitchen. The cold medicine is on the table, take it after you eat."

For some reason, Maeve's eyes grew misty. She gave a brief nod and turned away so he wouldn't notice her reaction. Even if it were just an illusion, she would still find it hard to resist him.

Halfway through her meal, Byron walked over and sat down across from her.

"Have you eaten?" Maeve asked.

"Yes," he responded flatly. "I'm not like you, sleeping like a log" No matter how many times he tried to wake her, she wouldn't rouse, so he decided to let her sleep. The food had gone cold, been reheated, and gone cold again until he became numb to his frustration F

Maeve immediately choked. "Why the personal attack?" she muttered softly before lowering her head to continue eating. 08.13NôvelDrama.Org holds © this.

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At that moment, Byron's phone rang Maeve glanced at the phone on the table and saw the name "Karen" on the screen. Her initial pleasant mood instantly plummeted. She looked away, chewing her food, which now tasted like dry sawdust and left a bad taste in her mouth.

This time, she wouldn't foolishly ask Byron if he could stay. She wouldn't complain, either. Although she felt comforted by his care, it didn't mean she had to debase herself, to put herself beneath him. She couldn't afford to lose herself. Byron glanced at the screen, his brows furrowing slightly. Remembering the look in Marve's eyes that morning, filled with such yearning, his finger hovered over the screen for a few seconds before finally swiping to decline the call.

The ringtone abruptly ceased, leaving Maeve stunned, thinking. He actually didn't answer Karen's call?"

Sensing her gaze, Byron raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"Nothing..." Maeve shook her head, unable to comprehend why he didn't pick up. She wondered, 'Could it be that he doesn't want to leave me alone while I'm sick?' Maeve felt her heart race at the thought.

After finishing dinner and taking her medicine, Maeve said to Byron, "Mr. Mcdaniel, I'd like to discuss the kidnapping Incident with you.

Maeve had addressed him as Mr. Mcdaniel countless times, but never had it made Byron feel so annoyed. 'She calls that pretty boy Alex, but I'm just Mr. Mcdaniel? he thought with irritation.

"What do you want to say?" Byron's eyes narrowed, his voice cold and detached.

Sensing the chill in his tone, Maeve didn't think too much of it and said, "That day. I took a cab from the resort and passed out in the car, after which I was kidnapped. I have a habit of noting the license plate number before getting into a car, and I still remember it. "Although the kidnappers were masked, I can describe their build and height to the police, who might be able to catch them quickly

Byron's fingers ceased their light tapping on the table, and he slowly lifted his head. "This matter cannot be reported to the police, and it must not be made public." He looked at Maeve, speaking each word with deliberate emphasis.

"Why?" Maeve's eyes were filled with confusion. "How can we find those people without reporting it?"

"If the police are involved, we won't be able to keep this under wraps. It would ruin Karen's reputation," Byron said in a low voice. "So the best outcome for this situation is to never bring it up again."

Maeve hadn't expected such an answer, and her lips turned pale "What about me?" she asked, her voice trembling. "Does my innocence and suffering not matter at all?"

"Maeve." Byron's tone grew heavier as he saw the hurt in her eyes. "If this gets out, Karen's life will be ruined."

Maeve felt a wave of despair wash over her as she thought, 'Compared to Karen's reputation, the doubts and suffering have to endure are insignificant. Even if I continue to be misunderstood as the one who plotted against Karen, it won't matter to him.' As a fellow woman, she could understand the reason for such protection, but she couldn't recoficile herself to iL

Pursing his lips, Byron said to Maeve, "I'll have people investigate this matter quietly. As long as you didn't do it, the truth will come out sooner or later."

Maeve didn't respond. She stood up, her voice hoarse as she said "I'm going to bed."

Lying on the bed, Maeve felt as if all the strength had drained from her body, leaving her exhausted and powerless. She closed her eyes and tried to silence her mind.

She didn't know how much time had passed when she felt a warm presence on her back, pressing close against her. A pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist, holding her tightly in an embrace. Maeve began to struggle, shifting on the bed to