The Heir's Secret Bride

"I understand and appreciate your concern for your grandfather, and I don't mind helping you with the act. Maeve said calmly, her eyes steady as she looked at Byron. "But Mr. Mcdaniel, 1 think you've forgotten something." She paused, her gaze not wavering as she continued, "I've thought a lot about what you said to me last time. I just can't figure out what I did wrong to make you dislike me so much. "You's

said I was meddling and overly sentimental. Fine, I admit I was trying to be kind. Otherwise, I wouldn't have bothered with saving you, making you soup, or changing your bandages if knew it might go unappreciated..." Maeve didn't meet Byron's gaze as she spoke. Instead, she looked down, a faint, weary smile playing on her lips.

"At least I can say I acted with a clear conscience. But it seems you don't see it that way, which is why I agreed to the divorce."

Maeve's voice was steady, but there was an edge to her words. But now you're asking to delay it. What exactly do you see me

The truth was, Maeve knew she couldn't divorce Byron right now. But the idea of staying with someone who clearly disliked her was unbearable.

More than the fallout from the divorce, she couldn't stand the thought of being seen as meddlesome when all she had done was try to help.

Byron was taken aback by her words. He remained silent, his lips a tight line as he processed what she'd said. It was clear now that she didn't know his true identity or have any ties to Neville

But he couldn't wrap his head around why she'd proposed after just one meeting or why she had gone out of her way to please him.

A sudden thought hit Byron like a ton of bricks, He rose from the Maeve, still tangled in her emotions, was jolted by his question.

Couch

and moved closer to Maeve, his gaze unwavering and intense. In a low, probing voice, he asked, "Maeve, have you fallen for me?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Byron said, recalling Ray's confident theory. Macve's flustered reaction seemed to confirm it. It was as if a secret had slipped out. So she does have feelings for me. No wonder she kept finding excuses to be near me, he thought.

Maeve's

mind spun in confusion. After everything she'd said, he focused on something entirely off-base. How did that make any senset

"No! Absolutely not! How could you even think that? I'd never have feelings for someone who dislikes me!" She shot back, her voice sharp

But her frustration and defensiveness only made her seem more like she was trying to cover up her true feelings. "Alright, let's just pretend you don't, Byron said, his eyes darkening slightly. "I was out of line that day, jumping to conclusions and saying things that hurt you. I'm sorry" Maeve bristled at his use of "pretend," but his apology caught her off guard, leaving her momentarily stunned

If Byron had confronted her with his usual confidence, Maeve might have held her ground. But his softened tone made her uneasy about pushing the matter further.

"Well, um... It's okay," she mumbled, scratching her ear and lowering her voice. "Since you apologized, let's just forget about

it

1/3

Byron's lips lifted into a slight smile as he extended his

hand. "How about a truce?"

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Maeve hesitated for a moment before reaching out to shake his hand, but she pulled back almost immediately.

However, Byron held onto her fingers a moment longer, catching her off guard.

Maeve looked up, startled by his unusually serious expression really am sorry," he said.

Maeve blin

blinked, then pulled I her hand back, her tone deliberate. A verbal apology isn't enough."

want?"

do you want?

Byron raised an eyebrow. "Oh! And what exactly "How about you make it up to me by buying me drinks for a week?" Maeve considered for a moment before fore responding.

Byron

was caught off guard. He had expected something extravagant. After a beat, he asked, "That's it?"

Marve nodded. Three days would be too short. A week feels just right."

Byron looked at her earnest expression and couldn't help but chuckle. "You certainly know what you want."

Maeve raised an eyebrow, suspicious. "You're not mocking me, are you?"

"No, not at all," Byron said with a grin. "Actually, I was thinking a week might be too short. How about a month?"

Maeve's eyes widened. "Seriously? Drinks might not be pricey individually, but a month's worth will add up. I won't feel bad about you spending the money. "You don't need to. Byron replied, puzzled by her choice of an unhealthy peace offering. But if that's what she wanted, he was willing to go along with it. Maeve's eyes sparkled

with

delight at the thought of daily drinks for a month. "Could you bring them after work? I'd like one with dinner. That way, I can go for a run and burn off the calories, so I won't gain weight." Byron frowned, puzzled. 'If 'If she's worried about gaining weight, why is she drinking them?"

Shaking

his head, he rubbed his s temple. "Alright. But since when did you start running at night?"

"Last time I was at the hospital, the doctor said I need to exercise more because of my weak constitution," Maeve explained. "I'm too busy during the day, so the only time I have is at night. She glanced at the clock and exclaimed, "I need to start dinner! After I eat and rest a bit, I'll head our for my run With that, she quickly made her way to the kitchen.

Byron looked at her slender frame, frowning slightly. She seemed as if a strong gust of wind could knock her over.

After dinner, Maeve headed to her room to change into workout clothes. Seeing Byron still in the living room, she asked. "Aren't you going to the hospital tonight?" Byron, seated on the couch and sorting through company messages, replied, "No need, Satneone else is taking care of him."

"Oh Maeve grabbed a hair tie from the table and quickly put her hair up in a ponytail "Well, I'm heading out."

Byron glanced up at her outfit and said casually, “Are you planning to run in that?"

Maeve looked down at herself, puzzled, "What's wrong with it?"

"If you don't want your earrings slapping you in the face while you run, you should take them off."

Marve touched her cars a

and realized she was still wearing the long tassel earrings from earlier. She hadn't even thought

about it until Byron pomted it out.

56

She quickly removed them and set them aside. "Is this better?"

"Yeah" Byron glanced at her, then set his tablet aside and stood up. Hold on a mi

Ell join you"

Maeve looked confused. "You're going for a run too? Aren't you still recovering? You shouldn't be doing intense exercise yet." Byron shrugged. "Do you still want your drink tonight?"

Maeve nodded, a hint of excitement in her voice. "Absolutely. Just make it quick,"