The Heir's Secret Bride

It would have been fine if Byron didn't bring it up, but the moment he mentioned it, Maeve's temper flared instantly. She turned her head on the pillow and glared at him..

"Who says that having been in a relationship means one must understand such things? What kind of logic is that?" Marve said sharply.

Byron remembered how Jeff had once complained about her refusal to hold his hand. Yer earlier, Byron had gripped her hand so tightly. The chill in his eyes warmed a bit at the thoughtProperty belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

He took Maeve's hand and tucked it under the blanket, raising an eyebrow as he asked playfully, "Are you going to bring up divorce again?"

Maeve pretended not to hear him and changed the subject. "When do you plan to sign my contract? Are you trying to weasel out of it again?"

Her clumsy attempt at deflection amused Byron, and he chuckled sofily. "I did say you'd face the consequences if you didn't come back, but I don't recall saying I'd sign the contract" Maeve's mouth fell open in shock. She had already been stunned by his shamelessness countless times that night.

"Are you going back on your word? Even a doormat knows to stay put," Maeve said dryly.

"Are you insulting me?" Byron's lips curled slightly. "Your contract is gone."

What a jerk! Maeve cursed inwardly, fuming as she got out of bed, slipped on her shoes, and headed for the door. If he's not going to sign the contract, then what am I doing here?

Just as she reached the door, Byron said in an unhurried tone, was just kidding. The contract is already signed and in the drawer. I'll give it to you tomorrow."

Maeve stopped in her tracks, turning around in disbelief. "Were you messing with me?"

Byron's eyes crinkled with amusement at her irritated face. "Well if you had more patience to ask a few more questions, you wouldn't have been tricked."

Maeve pursed her lips and asked, "Why tomorrow?"

"Look at the time," Byron said, patting the bed beside him. "Come over and go to sleep."

Maeve's scalp prickled when she heard the word "sleep, thinking. That's not sleeping; that's walking into the lion's den. She immediately shook her head in refusal, backing away. Tim going back to my old room."

"If I have to repeat myself, your contract will truly be gone," Byron said bluntly.

'All he does is threaten me,' Maeve thought with a groan. After mentally preparing herself, she slowly shuffled to the edge of the bed.

As soon as she sat down, Byron pulled her into his arms, Her back nestled seamlessly against his broad, warm chest, as if they were two parts of a whole, the closeness almost too perfect to be real Their heartbeats seemed to synchronize. "Go to sleep," Byron murmured into her hair.

The flutter in Maeve's chest calined down, though it continued to beat uncontrollably. She closed her eyes, quickly drifting into a deep sleep without the tumultuous thoughts that plagued her the night before

11

In the hospital ward, Karen was so furious that Byron wasn't answering her calls that she slammed her phone onto the floor

1 you?" Lydia walked in, picking up the phone and asking. "What's the matter with y

"Byron hasn't answered my calls since last night. He must be with that bitch now," Karen seethed with anger. "Shouldn't be be by my side in a time like this?"

Lydia replied calmly. "I've already told you. If you truly wanted to replace Marve, you should have had someone deal with her back then and sent a video to Byron. That's the only way to completely ruin her. "Look at how it's turned out. Byron might pity you, but he hasn't been entirely deceived. If Maeve were to embarrass him, the situation would be different.

Karen felt a pang of regret after Lydia's reprimand. 'It was my first time doing such a thing. I didn't think it through. Mom, what should I do now? Byron seemed to be suspicious yesterday, and those kidnappers..." Lydia's gaze turned sharp. "Those kidnappers have nothing to do with us. Remember that."

"Of course, I know." Karen gritted her teeth. "I thought that with Dad gone and me being harmed by Maeve, it would create a shift in his feelings. But I underestimated that bitch

It's obvious how scheming Maeve is to make Byron abandon me at such a critical time, Karen thought resentfully.

Lydia took out a stack of photos from her Birkin bag and handed them to Karen. "Look at this."

After looking at the photos, Karen's face twisted with jealousy. "Byron actually took her to that apartment?" she exclaimed. Karen thought bitterly, 'Even I haven't been to that place. What gives Maeve the right to be there?

"If you want to win over Byron completely, you can't afford to be soft-hearted. Otherwise, Maeve will remain your greatest obstacle. Lydia advised.

Karen clenched the photos. "I understand."

Late at night, Maeve woke up feeling thirsty. She opened her eyes to find the other side of the bed empty, and Byron was nowhere in sight. She got out of bed and went to the living room to get some water. The sound of movement by the door drew her over, and she saw Byron putting on his coat, ready to head out.

"Where are you going at this hour?" Maeve rubbed her eyes, her voice hoarse.

Byron halted abruptly and turned to look at her. He replied in a serious voice, "Karen tried to commit suicide by slitting her wrists. I'm going to the hospital"

Maeve's grogginess faded away instantly. The thought of how Karen had tried to frame her by hurting herself with a knife made her skin crawl. Karen hadn't attempted suicide when she first woke up, but now, at this moment, it seemed like a deliberate attempt to draw Byron's attention, Maeve doubted it was genuine.

Byron had been with her since last night, which must have driven Karen to desperation.

Maeve smirked and said, "She really is full of drama."

"What did you say?" Byron's frowned slightly, his expression growing colder. "Maeve, is there something wrong with you?" Without waiting for her response, he quickly left. Maeve turned and walked toward the bedroom, her face devoid of

emotion

'Something is wrong with me? He's the fool, being spun around by Karen's schemes. No wonder people say that the current girlfriend always loses if the ex-girlfriend sheds tears. He must think I'm so naïve to believe that he sees her as a friend, Macve thought, overwhelmed by a sense of numbness

The next morning, Maeve felt much better than the day before. She got up, went to the terrace to pick some greens, and made herself some salad.

After breakfast, she searched everywhere for the contract but couldn't find it. Suspecting that Byron might be playing games with her again, Maeve took out her phone and called him.

"Hello?" Karen's weak, sweet voice came through the phone. "Is this Macve?"

Maeve frowned. "Why are you answering the phone?"

"Because Byron has been with me all this time. He just went to the bathroom, Karen spoke with a provocative tone. "Marve,

side no matter how clingy you are, he's still by my

You're quite something, attempting suicide at night and then being full of life in the morning. Are you really suicidal or just pretending?" Maeve said with a scoff.

"I know you're jealous of me. Say whatever you want." Karen sneered. "You're still in Byron's apartment, aren't you? Just so you know, that apartm