The Heir's Secret Bride

Chapter

42

Noticing that Byron was truly annoyed, R

wisely changed the subject.

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"Alright, we'll get out of your hair. Just call us if you need anything," he said.

With that, the two of them got up, left the room, and closed the door behind them.

Even though they were gone, their words still lingered like an echo.

Maeve couldn't stop thinking about what Ray and Jarrett had said. 'Helping with medicine and meals is manageable, but assisting with bathing..." Just the thought of it made her ears burn. She instinctively glanced at Byron, only to find him staring back with those deep, unreadable eyes. "What's going through your mind?" His voice was unusually cold

"Mr. Mcdaniel, don't her to take care of him herself, but her eagerness to delegate the task left him oddly irritated.

I'll arrange for a male caregiver to help you," Maeve said quickly. "It doesn't matter if it's costly- you got hurt saving me, after all..."

Byron hadn't expected her to

His gaze darkened slightly. "So after I saved you, you're just going to hand me off to a stranger?"

"No, that's not what I meant. I just="

for you

to take care of

of the person who saved your life?" His tone grew sharper.

"Is it t too much to ask for

"No. I don't feel that way at all," Maeve hurried to explain. "I'm happy to do whatever you need, but... I'm worried it might make you uncomfortable." A faint smirk tugged at the corner of Byron's mouth, but it vanished before she could notice.

"Compared to a stranger, I suppose I can tolerate you."

Maeve was momentarily taken aback. Her heart clenched as if struck by a small hammer, leaving behind a bittersweet ache. thought, 'So in his eyes, being a housekeeper is at least better than being a complete outsider?'

She

After

"If you're okay with

he got hurt because of her-it was only right

need to take your medicine soon." "Alright, I'll be there in a moment," Maeve answered, then turned to Byron. "I'll check back in on

to head back to

"Excuse me."

brown wavy hair cascading

Chapter 42

are?" Maeve asked,

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smiled and extended a hand. "I heard Byron was hospitalized, so I came

her hand. "You can just go in directly. Why

housekeeper, so I thought I'd ask you to pass along this gift for him," Karen said with a slight blush. "Byron and I... had a bit of a disagreement recently, and we're still not on speaking terms. He probably doesn't want to see

carried a hint of intimacy, and coupled with her shy expression, it was easy to imagine what

moment and then asked, "Can I

briefly before answering, "We're... just childhood friends

thought, 'Which means they

tightened, a wave of unease

Mae

his friends-probably to keep it hidden from Karen. Maeve felt a sudden wave

Karen looked at Maeve with a hopeful expression. "In the future, I'll make sure Byron gives you a promotion and

you help me out?"

more meaningful to deliver a gift in person to show sincerity." She shook her head, turning down the request. "I can't help

Karen

watched

ded back to her

quickly replaced it with a smile and walked into Byron's room. She thought, 'A mere housekeeper is no threat to me.' "Byron, how are are you feeling?" 'Karen placed the gift on the table and looked at Byron resting in bed, her eyes filled with concern.

"I'm

Karen

slightly. "I overheard it when Archer was on the phone. Don't worry, no one

didn't seem

currently under watch at the sanatorium and

was that it was Gilbert who had ordered the lockdown. It was a clear

cold eyes, something that didn't go unnoticed by Karen, who

beat.

and couldn't come back right away. Your mom asked me to let you know that they're both really worried about you," she said.

08.