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

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

glanced up, her red, swollen eyes meeting Byron. He stood by the light switch, staring at her with a blank expression. Then, calmly, he flicked the lights off again. "Go ahead and cry. I'm not turning the lights back on," his deep

You

You

back on now. I'm

might still be

y concerned about

relieved to find no more cameras. Maeve was especially

reached Byron's room, Maeve opened the door and said, I didn't expect you to move in so quickly, so I haven't had time torget everything

an injured man sleep on the floor! That

TODIL

about... you share my bed?" Maeve blurted out

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COMMENT

Chapter 6

darkened, like storm

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

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

it was just for 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

drift off, the mattress shifted slightly. She turned her head

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, can I ask... what

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

drive," he said, shrugging

Maeve let out a

bad. At least it's not something shady. And it kinda makes sense with the situation I'm in, she

The bed was too small, the mattress wasn't exactly soft, and even the pillow felt like a

to his side, brushing against his ear. He

doing this on purpose?" he

two figures were tangled up so closely it seemed there wasn't an inch of space between them. Byron's internal clock was

have been on the other side of the bed, now somehow nestled

chest her arms wrapped

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