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

gave him a soft smile. "If you're

because of her-it was only right that she took care

nurse knocked on the door. "Ms. Reese, your breakfast is getting cold, and you 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 you later." "Okay,"

closing the door behind her. She was just about to head back

"Excuse me."

sharp sapphire-blue office suit, her brown wavy hair cascading over her shoulders. She exuded a warm

Chapter 42

are?" Maeve

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meet you. I'm Karen." Karen smiled and extended a hand. "I

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

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 coupled with her shy expression, it was easy to imagine what kind of relationship

for a moment and then asked, "Can

"We're... just childhood friends

they were something more

a wave of

Mae

a housekeeper in front of his friends-probably to keep it hidden from Karen. Maeve felt a

Karen looked at Maeve with a hopeful expression. "In the

help

person to show sincerity." She shook her head, turning down the request. "I can't help you with this. Goodbye." With that, Maeve headed I

Karen

watched

ded back to her

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. "The moment I heard you'd woken up, I rushed over to see you." fine," Byron replied,

"I'm

Karen

"I overheard it when Archer was on the phone.

seem

watch at the sanatorium and couldn't stir up any

guard was that it was Gilbert who had ordered the

usually cold eyes, something that didn't go unnoticed

beat.

come back right away. Your mom asked me to let you know that they're both really worried about you,"

08.