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."

Archer replied respectfully, quickly leaving the

bland, especially compared to Maeve's home-cooked food. After a few bites, Byron set down his fork and reached

and saw Byron still seated, his expression unreadable, though his posture

someone to clean this up?" Maeve

rang the bell,

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

his hand grazing the

through Theo's palm, and

you okay?" Will

Will's voice, Byron's frown

on the floor, and hurried over, scooping him up. "Where

had a small cut with only a little bleeding, fortunately not too serious. Maeve sighed in relief, pulling out a

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

butt cheeks!"

pouted, glancing briefly at Byron, then buried his face against Maeve's shoulder. 'Am I annoying?' Theo

seen what happened, so he assumed Theo had just

meanwhile, finally relaxed. But then he said, in a

sulked, not even glancing

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 better för

won't disturb your rest," Maeve said, putting the first-aid kit back in

Byron replied instantly,

care for Will in this condition. Why not let him stay

said coldly. "Take Theo.