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.

noticed the clear bite marks, his cold expression sharpened. He crushed the cigarette between his fingers and sauntered over to

last chance," he said, his deep

figure out his intentions, her body sensed danger and tensed up. In the blink

like prey caught in a spider web. Her limbs felt stiff.

into a chilling smile. "You don't

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

before she could escape, he grabbed her waist and pushed her back

to confront him, but the last thing she needed

her back against the bed. He kissed her hard, like

inch untouched. Maeve's eyes went wide, her body trembling as heat flooded her face. She was mortified, feeling like she might

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

though Maeve and Jaylen were not in a real relationship, Maeve had always been the good girl, so Byron's behavior felt way out of

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 little

blood filled the air. He gripped her waist tighter and

pretending to be normal wasn't working for

raced. If she kept resisting, he might

knew Byron was crazy, but she didn't think he would push it like this. If Jaylen woke up now, she'd die

touched him with the tip of her tongue, brushing it softly between his lips and teeth. As soon as he noticed she was taking the lead, Byron's grip

deepening the kiss. Her hands, pinned beneath his, started to curl up and rest against the back of his

lightened. It felt like the rage of a wild beast had suddenly calmed, its roughness turning soft, as if the ferocity from

close she had come to danger; she could feel a thin sheen of sweat on 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?" Byron smirked.

even dare to claim Maeve as his fiancée. Even if it came out to public, Byron would still go for it. He didn't care about the Chatterly

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

this in someone else's room, people would

kissing me? But you seem so fine about kissing him?" Byron

saying? When did I kiss

Byron could respond, Jaylen erupted in a fit

eyes shut He didn't look awake at all. Another

"What's going on

cough up blood clots. He'll be okay after he 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

his coughing slowed down, and he

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

really expect me to just sit here while my ex-girlfriend touches

Maeve sighed. Sure.

exes, but really, she was just trying to clear him up. No

pter 334

about it.

roll her

K 96%

was more like he was scrubbing a dirty floor than caring for someone. If Jaylen weren't in such

that Jaylen's face was clean and free of blood, she held back. Honestly, she couldn't expect Byron to be friendly with his love rival.

Maeve's scalp tingled with tension. Byron was driving, eyes