Chapter

45

Maeve thought, 'Little girl? Seriously?'

""What

What do you mean, little?" Maeve felt her chest tighten with frustration at his comment.

like an unripe fruit-still green and far from mature.

Byron narrowed his dark eyes and gave her a slow, deliberate once-over, a hint of amusement tugging at his lips. "I know what I mean." him, she was Maeve cou

couldn't shake the feeling that he was looking down on her. With a pout, she finished helping him get dressed and was about to leave the room. But Byron stopped her. "You're staying in this room tonight."

"No way!" Her face was still flushed from the earlier interaction, and she avoided meeting his gaze. Her voice was low as she muttered, "I have my own room, thank you very much." Byron's tone left no room for negotiation. "It'll be easier for you to take care of me if you're here."

It might be convenient for him, but it was anything but convenient for her.

All Maeve wanted was some space to clear her mind and figure out how to deal with her family issues.

"Mr. Mcdaniel, I'm a restless sleeper. I might end up disturbing your rest."

"You'll be on the temporary bed. Toss and turn all you want."

At this point, if she kept refusing, it would seem like all her previous promises were just empty words.

"Alright."

Reluctantly, Maeve went back to her room to grab her phone and then settled onto the temporary bed the nurse had prepared.

With the main lights off, the room was bathed in the soft, warm glow of a wall lamp.

As she lay there thinking about Valda, Maeve stared at the ceiling, certain she wouldn't be able to sleep tonight.

She let out a soft sigh, barely realizing she'd done it.

"Maeve." Byron's deep voice cut through the darkness.

Maeve instantly held her breath and turned her head. "Did I wake you?"

She'd momentarily forgotten she wasn't in her own room and had let that sigh slip out without thinking.

She was already mulling over how she'd explain herself if he asked why she sighed when his voice came again, calm and steady. "Come help me to the bathroom."

thought, 'Alright then. Resigned, Maeve climbed out of bed, turned on the light, and went

on her, and the close proximity allowed

but still fresh and

was

expecting him to

08:28 Wed, Oct 16

Chapter 45

up," she

my mouth. Why

"You... you didn't need to use the

3

6

71%

to go to the bathroom, Maeve bit her lip in embarrassment

asked casually, "You've been out of it all night. Is taking care of me

do this, you don't have to

ITY

Maeve

but t found herself at a

a long pause, she finally said, "I don't mind at all. I promised to take care of

"It's just...

I've

flashed across Byron's eyes. "Did you two

dealing with something difficult and want me to take care of it all, without considering how it might affect me. We had a bit of a disagreement because of it." She didn't mention the issue with the

Maeve felt the weight of

watched as Byron wiped his face, then softly said,

you," Byron replied as he set the towel down, his deep,

Maeve wasn't fazed. "Would

her question. "Help

If the

Jeff, given that she was staying at his place, he wouldn't mind stepping

was settled back

solution yet, she didn't feel

now on, she'd focus on living her own life and just visit

Byron lying across the room. In the

silhouette.

hospital, his parents hadn't shown up once. No matter how busy

Chapter 45

Maeve asked, "Mr. Mcdaniel,

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