The Heir's Secret Bride

Chapter 333

As the party got underway, Charles finally made his appearance, thanking everyone for coming.

The younger Chatterly family members began handing over their birthday gifts, one after another, and eventually, it was Jaylen's turn as the youngest.

Charles shot a glance at Maeve standing next to him and grinned. "Well, well, Jaylen. Looks like you've brought me the best gift this year-Maeve! And you managed to keep it under wraps

Betty was all smiles too. She had always liked Maeve and couldn't wait to welcome her as a daughter-in-law.

Maeve, however, cast her eyes down, looking a bit shy, though inside she felt torn.

Sensing the awkwardness, Jaylen stepped in quickly. "You're reading too much into it. Maeve's just here to celebrate with us."

The disappointment on Charles and Betty's faces was obvious. You need to focus mare, Jaylen, Charles sighed. "You're the last one left to settle down! I don't expect miracles, but can't you at least get married before thirty-five?"

Jaylen, unfazed, took the comment in stride but didn't promise anything. He never made promises he couldn't keep Maeve was slightly taken aback by his quick response just now, but she felt it wasn't the right time to ask him, so she let it go. Around the room, the guests couldn't hear the conversation. They only saw Jaylen and Maeve together, looking like a couple greeting the elders. Byron, noticing the scene, took a sip of his wine, his gaze cold as he looked away.

Halfway through the party, Jaylen grew exhausted but did his best to hide it from his family. Maeve noticed, though, and used the excuse of her not feeling well to take him upstain.

As soon as they got to the room, Jaylen collapsed onto the bed, completely drained. Maeve grabbed a towel, wrung it out, and began wiping his face. "You really shouldn't have pushed yourself today. You're in no shape for all that walking"

Jaylen probably wouldn't recover from the exhaustion of today no matter how much rest he got. He leaned back against the pillows with a small smule. I'm not pushing myself. Just having you meet my parents at least once-it's something I've wanted for a long time. Marve stayed quiet for a moment before asking "Why didn't you agree to what your grandpa said earlier?"

She had thought he might take the chance to make their relationship official. But Jaylen just looked at her, the sadness in his eyes softening into something more gentle. "You're only agreeing to be my hancée because you know I don't have much time left. I can't repay your kindness by forcing you into something you didn't ask for."

He could've easily told everyone she was his fiancée right then and there, but he knew it would put unnecessary pressure on her. The last thing he wanted was to make things harder for her

"If there's a chance in the future, I hope you'll choose to meet my family willingly, on your own terms," he added. "Only if you want to."

Maeve bit her lip, then forced a casual smile. "Well, we'll have to wait for you to get better first, right?"

Jaylen smiled back his eyes gentle, almost like glass reflecting the soft light. But beneath that tenderness, there was a hint of sadness he couldn't fully hide.

Soon after, he fell asleep, his exhaustion taking over. Maeve watched him with mixed emotions. If she had known from the start how little time he had, she would've done everything to save him.

For someone often praised as a miracle doctor, it was painful to realize she couldn't do more for her closest friend, other than pretending to be his fiancee 07:14 Thu, Nov 7

Chapter 333

She sighed, thinking of Charles and Betty's smiling faces, blissfully unaware of the truth. Now, her only hope was that Rudolf might find a way to help him. 96%

Out of nowhere, Maeve felt a piersing gaze on her back. She turned around and spotted a figure leaning against the door frame, and her heart raced. "What are you doing here?"

"Is this the guy you chose? He doesn't even have the guts to admit you're his fiancée, he sneered, his voice low and mocking

Maeve quickly looked away. "That really isn't your business"

Wasn't he downstairs with Serena? Why is he up here?' she thought.

cold expression sharpened. He crushed

chance,"

figure out his intentions, her body sensed danger and tensed up. In the blink of an eye, he was right

gaze, like prey caught in a spider web.

don't seem to

her spine at his smile. Panic kicked in, and without

escape, he grabbed her waist and pushed her back

thing she needed

pushed her back against the bed. He kissed her hard, like he was trying to wipe away any

her inside and out, leaving no inch untouched. Maeve's eyes went wide, her body trembling as heat flooded her face. She was mortified, feeling

away, sleeping on the bed. Yet here was Byron, having the audacity

not in a real relationship, Maeve had always been the good girl,

to drag her into it, too, And to make it worse, the door was wide open. If anyone from the Chatterly family walked by and caught them like this, she would never show her face around here again, Fury bubbled up inside Maeve, and she wanted to bite him just to get him to let go. But what she didn't realize was that a

metallic scent of blood filled the air. He gripped her waist tighter and deepened

total wild card, and since pretending to be normal wasn't working for him, he figured he might as well embrace it.

she kept resisting, he might

crazy, but she didn't think he would push

her tongue, brushing it softly between his lips and teeth.

his, started to curl up and rest against the back of his hand, gently massaging

wrists lightened. It felt like the rage of a wild beast had

danger; she could feel a thin sheen of sweat

he wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her away from the bed, Maeve pulled back slightly, catching her breath. She whispered, "Let's get out of here." "Why? Scared of what he'll think?"

even dare to claim Maeve as his fiancée. Even if it came out to public,

frustration bubbling up. "Seriously? You want everyone to see

out they were doing this in someone

caught kissing me? But you

even saying? When did I kiss him? Maeve shot back,

Jaylen erupted in

Another cough, and a bit of blood dribbled from the corner of his mouth,

brow furrowed. "What's

takes his meds," Maeve explained, her panic flaring for a second before she pulled it together. She gently lifted Jaylen's head, trying to help him avoid choking on the blood pooling in his throat. Then, she spotted his medicine bottle and pulled out

swallowed the pill, his coughing slowed down, and he drifted

clean the blood off Jaylen's face, but before she could start, Byron's hand shot over. "Let me handle it," he said. "What

while my ex-girlfriend touches another guy?"

Maeve sighed. Sure.

exes, but really, she was just trying to clear

pter 334

about it.

to roll her eyes, she still handed him the

K 96%

was scrubbing a dirty floor than caring for someone. If Jaylen weren't in such at deep sleep, he would probably

her mouth to say something, but when she saw that Jaylen's face was clean and free of blood, she held back. Honestly, she couldn't expect

car ride felt super awkward. Maeve's scalp tingled with tension. Byron was driving, eyes glued to the road,