The Heir's Secret Bride

Chapter 374

Will blushed, realizing this was what it felt like to have a mother Will loved having a mother.

Across the room, Maeve sat close with the children, creating a warm, loving scene. In contrast, Byron stood apart, forming an invisible divide between them.

Even Archer, just an observer, noticed the stark separation and couldn't help feeling that his boss looked isolated. Despite Byron's composed expression, the feeling lingered.

That evening, Maeve worried that Will wasn't eating much because he was sick, so she borrowed the hospital's private kitchen to prepare some light, easy-to-digest dishes for him.

She also made Theo's favorites, ribeye steak and shrimp scampi. Since Maeve still hadn't fully recovered, she ate the same simple food as Will. Before the hospital's dinner arrived, Maeve gathered the children to eat.

Maeve had always been a good cook, and even her light dishes looked delicious. Byron listened to Archer's report, but the aroma drifting over distracted him. His brows furrowed, and he swallowed hard. Even Archer could sense the tension and hurried to wrap up.

"Mommy, Daddy hasn't eaten yet," Will whispered to Maeve. "His eyes are injured, and he's still working so hard."

Theo chimed in reluctantly, "I can share some dessert with him."

Maeve took a bite of lettuce and shrugged. "The hospital will bring him dinner soon. You two just eat and don't worry about

him."

They'd only eaten a bit earlier than Byron, so it wasn't as though he'd starve. Plus, even if Maeve offered him food, he likely wouldn't appreciate it.

Byron seemed to catch Maeve's words. His mouth pressed into a thin line, and frustration simmered within him. Finally, he turned to Archer. "You're dismissed. Come back tomorrow."

a good night," Archer replied respectfully, quickly

a few bites, Byron set down his fork and reached for a glass of water. Then, a loud crash

turned around and saw Byron still seated, his expression

the bell and ask for someone to clean this up?" Maeve asked as she cleaned

over, rang the bell,

around the glass shards and quietly reached for Byron's wrist. If no one would tell him what was going on, he'd find out himself! He suspected his dad's eye injury was more serious than they let on. Just as Theo touched Byron's hand, Byron, thinking it was the nurse, reflexively brushed

hand

and he began

okay?" Will asked urgently from

Will's voice, Byron's

saw Theo on the floor, and hurried over, scooping him up.

check revealed that Theo's hand had a small cut with only a little bleeding, fortunately not too serious. Maeve sighed in relief,

go near the glass?" she chided gently, dabbing his hand. "Good thing it's just your hand.

butt cheeks!"

pouted, glancing briefly at Byron, then buried his face against

so he assumed Theo

said, in a cool tone, "Stay back from me next

not even

Byron, about to respond, but held back when she saw the gauze over his eyes. He couldn't see right now. He probably hadn't brushed Theo away on purpose. Still, his temperament was even more unpredictable after his illness, so it was

bring them to my ward. We won't disturb your rest," Maeve said,

replied instantly, surprising

in this condition. Why not let him

coldly. "Take Theo.