The Heir's Secret Bride

Chapter 5

Maeve immediately sensed something was off. "Is your wound acting up again? You just told me you were fine. This is your idea of 'fine?"

Without waiting for Byron to respond, she grabbed his arm and guided him back to the living room. "You refuse to go to the hospital, but I know a thing or two about first aid. If you don't mind, I can help."

Byron frowned but didn't argue this time, letting out a low grunt of agreement. Maeve guided him to the sofa and carefully lifted his shirt to check the wound. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw the bandage on his abdomen, soaked through with blood. The wound's so torn up, yet he still managed to take Jeff down with one kick. Is he really that strong, or is Jeff just that useless?" she wondered.

Shoving those thoughts aside, Maeve started unwrapping the bandage, her voice soft and reassuring. Tll go as easy as I can. If it hurts, just tell me."

Byron's eyes stayed fixed on her. Her face was so close to his wound that he could feel her warm, gentle breath against his

skin.

Skin.

She must have just showered-he caught a faint scent of white lily, light and soothing. With each careful movement, the fragrance seemed to draw closer, filling the air around them. Time felt as if it were stretching, suspended in this intimate moment.

All done, Maeve finally said, stepping back with a satisfied smile after finishing the new bandage. Just keep it dry and avoid anything too physical, or you'll tear it open again"

Byron swallowed hard as he listened to her gentle instructions "Em sorry for jumping to conclusions earlier," he said, his voice low but sincere.

Maeve blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected apology. She looked up and met his deep brown eyes. They were calm, like a still pond, yet held a distant, unreachable quality, like the light of a faraway star-mysterious and impossible to fully grasp Her heart sk***ed a beat. "It's... it's fine. I had no idea my ex was behind all this, so I get why you'd think the worst."

She wanted to reassure him that it truly didn't matter, that she hadn't been bothered that much. But the words caught in her

throat.

All the frustration, anger, fear, and uncertainty she had buried deep inside swelled up like a balloon. Byron's simple apology felt like a pin, causing it all to burst wide open. Emotions surged through Maeve, making her eyes burn and sting until she could hardly hold back the tears.

Then, suddenly, the room plunged into darkness-the power had gone out.

The tears Maeve had been fighting so hard to hold back spilled over in an instant, streaming silently down her cheeks.

"It's fine, really. This happens all the time around here. The power should be back soon," Maeve murmured, her voice strained as she tried to reassure Byron, forcing herself to sound steady.

She cried quietly, her face composed except for the tears pooling in her eyes. A few hot droplets splashed onto the back of Byron's hand, betraying her facade.

Seriously? My apology scared her so much she's crying? What the hell? Byron thought, frustration flickering across his face. He pressed his lips into a thin line and walked off toward some corner of the living room.

14

best to keep it together, determined not to show Byron how vulnerable she felt. But just then, the

"Go ahead and cry. I'm not turning the lights back on," his deep voice cut through the darkness, Maeve was speechless, caught between frustration and an unexpected urge to laugh.

You

You

on now. I'm done,"

lights came back on, and Maeve straightened up as if nothing had happened. Tm worried there might still be hidden cameras," she said, quickly changing the subject. "Can you check for me?

y concerned about

more cameras. Maeve was especially com her bedroom and bathroom, but luckily,

had time torget everything ready. Like your bed. Byron's face remained unreadable as he looked at her. "So,

man sleep on the floor! That just doesn't sit right. But the

TODIL

you share my bed?" Maeve blurted out

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COMMENT

Chapter 6

instantly darkened, like storm

scratched her cheek awkwardly. "If it's a problem for you, I can always take the

off, his voice cold and firm. "We'll do it

a few days. At least there, no one was breathing down his neck. He thought sharing a bed with her wasn't something he couldn't handle. Late at night, after a day of total chaos, Maeve finally started to relax as she

when she was about to drift off, the mattress shifted slightly. She turned her head and found herself staring at Byron's handsome

could hear his slow, steady breathing. "If you've got something on your mind, just spit it out," Byron said, sensing her eyes on him. His tone was flat, almost bored. Maeve, caught red-handed, felt felt her cheeks flush. But curiosity got the better of her. "Uh,

up marrying her instead. His life looked like a mess, but he had skills. She was especially amazed at how quickly he had found the hidden camera inside her stuffed animal. Byron's eyes narrowed as he glanced at her. 'Is she seriously playing dumb to get me to drop

shrugging

Maeve let out a

it's not something shady. And it kinda makes sense with the situation I'm in, she thought. Comforted by that idea, she closed her eyes and began to

the other hand, was finding it hard to relax. The bed was too small, the mattress wasn't exactly soft, and

brushing against his ear. He clenched his teeth, resisting the urge to

she doing this

inch of space between them. Byron's internal clock was as precise as ever. At seven sharp, he stirred awake, his eyes still half-closed with sleep. But something felt

have been on the other side of the bed, now

soft pink, resting against his chest her arms wrapped around his, and

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