The Heir's Secret Bride

Maeve asked, "What?"

"Do you remember that year you first arrived in Erancia? I asked for a wish for my birthday," Jaylen said, shifting the conversation. "I want to cash it in now."

Maeve didn't think too much and nodded immediately. "Just tell me what it is. If I can do it, I will!"

Jaylen's voice softened. "You can definitely do it, Maeve. Consider this my last wish before I leave this world. Be my fiancee. I don't ask for much else. Just that during my remaining time, you are mine."

Maeve's eyes widened in shock, struggling to believe what she had heard. "Jaylen, you-"

"I have liked you for a long time. I don't know when it started, maybe I didn't even realize it myself, but I have kept you in my heart." He interrupted her. "Over the past two years, I've traveled all around the world, but the place I want to return to the most is where you are. "I admit this is selfish, but if I don't do this, I'll probably spend the rest of my time regretting it. I don't want to have regrets."

Holding her phone, Maeve felt a whirlwind of emotions, unsure of how to respond.

She thought of Byron, feeling as if she were in a tug-of-war within her heart, unable to find peace.

Jaylen saved her and her children. Even if she spent a lifetime, she couldn't

repay that debt.

His request wasn't too unreasonable. He only wanted her to be his fiancee, not to marry him right away.

She should have agreed immediately, but the words stuck in her throat. Her mind had the answer, yet her heart was blocking her from replying.

"Jaylen, I need some time to think about it," Maeve said, her voice a bit hoarse. "Can you wait a few days?"

Not rejecting him immediately was enough to make Jaylen feel relieved.

Jaylen said, "I'll be back in the country the day after tomorrow. We can meet then."

Maeve replied, "Okay. Make sure to rest well, and don't go against Mr. Walker. He's only looking out for you."

Jaylen chuckled. "Got it. Now that you've said it, how could I not listen?"

Maeve hung up the phone, her emotions in turmoil.

After a moment, she jumped out of bed and ran out of her room, heading straight to the apartment across the way. Byron handled work there. Just as Maeve arrived, Archer had dropped off some investigation documents from four years ago. "Byron!"

Hearing her voice, Byron looked up from his paperwork, only to be enveloped in her embrace the next second.

Maeve nestled beside him, her arms wrapping tightly around his neck. She was like a cat seeking comfort and sinking into his embrace.

Byron was momentarily taken aback but then smiled, wrapping his arms around her.

He asked, "Why are you suddenly so proactive? Did you do something wrong?"

It was nearly impossible for Maeve to throw herself at him like this. He certainly welcomed the gesture.

With her cheek pressed against his neck, Maeve gently shook her head. "Why did you assume that? I won't hug you next time."

Byron said, "Well, I'll take the initiative next time."

He casually set aside the documents on the glass table, his hand lightly grazing Maeve's lower back.

Startled, she fell softly against him.

"Speak normally! Don't start getting handsy!" she said, a hint of embarrassment causing her to bite her lip.

Byron raised an eyebrow with a playful smirk. "Maeve, I'm a normal man."

She was in his arms. She couldn't expect him to keep it strictly platonic.

Maeve felt like she had brought trouble to herself. But with her current low sense of security, being close to Byron was the only thing that made her feel better. Noticing her unease, Byron lowered his gaze, asking softly, "What's wrong?"

"I..." Maeve initially thought about discussing Jaylen's situation with him but then reconsidered. It wouldn't be right to share someone else's illness.

She also couldn't bring herself to voice the things Jaylen had said.

After a long internal struggle, her face scrunched up in confusion.

Byron reached out to gently stroke her cheek. "Stop frowning. You look like an old lady. What's bothering you so much?"

"You look like an old man," Maeve retorted, frowning even more, but still unable to voice her thoughts. She had a strong feeling that if she told Byron what Jaylen had said, the consequences would be unbearable. Byron studied her for a few seconds, his brow slightly furrowed. Her distress indicated it wasn't a trivial matter.

"If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine," he said, giving her soft neck a gentle squeeze. "Archer just dropped off the investigation materials. Let's look at that instead."

Maeve looked puzzled. "What investigation?"

Byron didn't answer, handing her the documents.

She took the papers from him and opened them, surprised to find detailed information about the coercion she faced from Karen four years ago regarding a forced abortion.

The last page contained a personal information sheet, noting that one of the men involved was a bodyguard for Karen, skilled at voice imitation and disguise.

After Archer approached him, the man quickly confessed that it had been Karen who had ordered him to impersonate Archer and say those things to Maeve. His testimony was recorded.

Even though Maeve had already believed Byron wasn't behind this, listening to the confession still sent a chill down her spine.

Karen's schemes were well-planned.

If Maeve hadn't returned to the country and reunited with Byron, this misunderstanding might have lingered between them 07:52 Wed, Nov 6

forever.

9

As time passed, it could have become a thorn in their relationship, impossible to remove. A change of decision could affect

their lives forever.

Maeve's unease intensified, making her crave something to fill the emptiness in her racing heart.

She lifted her head and kissed Byron's cool lips without thinking, almost colliding with his lower lip a few times.

Byron was shocked, his palm cradling the back of her head as he gently nibbled at her lips. He gradually deepened the kiss as Maeve's breathing became erratic.

As if affected by her urgency, the kiss transformed from gentle to increasingly fervent.

Maeve found herself suddenly laid back on the sofa. Her swollen lips barely got a moment's reprieve before being sealed tightly once more, making her let out a soft whimper. Her mind became hazy, her tongue tingling, feeling as if she were running out of air.

Suddenly, a chill ran down her spine. A hand traveled up her back, deliberately loosening her bra.

Maeve heard the faint sound of the clasp being undone, and her ears turned red. She twisted her waist, trying to evade his wandering hand.

"Where do you think you're going?" Byron's voice was low and deep, sexy enough to send shivers down her spine, leaving her powerless against him:

In just a moment of distraction, Maeve realized her defenses had completely crumbled.