The Heir's Secret Bride

Jaylen looked at Byron with a mocking gleam in his eyes. "I wouldn't trust anyone from the Bennett family with Maeve, especially not you. You're too dangerous for her; she wouldn't stand a chance."

Byron couldn't help but feel a pull toward Maeve. Perhaps it was because he had never met a girl quite like her-she was captivating and brought a freshness he had never experienced. But the excitement of something new often comes in a rush, only to fade just as quickly.

Once Byron recognized how vastly different they were how significant the divide was between their worlds and perspectives-he wouldn't hesitate to walk away without a second thought. After all, not many real soulmates existed in this world. Most relationships ended up filled with heartbreak.

No matter how fiery the passion at first, it often crumbles into disappointment and shattered dreams.

Jaylen didn't want that kind of future for Maeve.

She deserved all the beauty this world had to offer.

Byron remained unfazed by Jaylen's biting remarks, his calm demeanor unnervingly steady.

After a moment of silence, he scoffed, "What I feel for Maeve and what may come of us is none of your business."

"Oh, but I'm her fiancé," Jaylen shot back.

"Only for six months. I can wait," Byron replied coolly.

At that moment, Jaylen wished he could live another five hundred years, just to see how long it would take for Byron to finally tire of waiting for Maeve's engagement to dissolve,

"Dr. Chatterly, Ms Reese has woken up. Please come take a look, a doctor called from just outside the door.

Byron's normally composed expression flickered with concern as he turned to Jaylen. "Don't mention the trial to her."

Jaylen raised an eyebrow, a smirk creeping onto his face. "Didn't realize you had such a selfless side, Mr. Mcdaniel."

It was hard to believe that a businessman like Byron wouldn't prioritize his interests.

"It's just unnecessary to bring it up," Byron replied.

"Fair enough."

Jaylen decided against playing the nice guy or boosting his rival's standing in Maeve's eyes. He tucked his clipboard under his arm and stepped out.

Byron pressed his palm against his throbbing temple, noticing his phone lighting up on the table. He reached for it, but his vision suddenly blurred. Bright lights swirled before him, and although the phone was right there, it felt impossibly out of reach.

Beep.

Suddenly, a sharp alarm blared from the equipment beside the hospital bed.

Byron's hand never made it to the phone; it slid off the table and crashed to the floor.

Meanwhile, Jaylen had just finished checking on Maeve, smiling as he reassured her, "The antidote is almost ready. Just hang in there a little longer." Maeve lay in bed, each slight movement sending jolts of pain through her, her face pale and ghostly.

"Thank you

for

your concern," she managed to whisper, her eyes scanning the room as if she were searching for someone.

Noticing her distracted gaze, Jaylen asked, "Who are you looking for?"

"Has Byron been here?" she asked, a nagging feeling in her chest making her wonder if the dream she'd had felt too real to be mere fantasy.

Jaylen hesitated before shaking his head. "No, he hasn't come by

Maeve lowered her gaze, trying to mask her disappointment. "Oh. I see."

So those vivid images had just been tricks played by her fevered mind.

She believed that Byron was probably off enjoying himself somewhere, completely oblivious to her at all.

Jaylen couldn't help but notice the disappointment in Maeve's eyes, and it tugged at his heart. "If you want to see him, I can go get him for you right now," he offered softly.

"No, it's okay. I don't want to see him," Maeve replied, forcing a cheerful smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Honestly, I'd much rather see my little ones, Will and Theo. Do they know what's going on yet?" Jaylen nodded reassuringly. "They're doing fine, I promise. They're being good and not causing any trouble."

But the thought of the little ones and their recent escapades filled Jaylen with a bittersweet ache. Byron had it easy.

His older son was smart and savvy, easily outmaneuvering anyone trying to snatch the batch of medicine from under their

noses.

And his younger son had connections, knowing one influential person after another.

They were still so young, but as they grew, they would undoubtedly become even more impressive.

Just then, there was a rapid knock at the door.

"Dr. Chatterly! The gentleman who was testing the medication is having some complications. Please come quickly!" a nurse called urgently.

Jaylen instinctively looked back at Maeve, who seemed puzzled by the sudden commotion. The mention of "testing the medication" made her frown in confusion.

"Maeve, you just relax. I'll go check it out," he said, trying to comfort her.

Maeve swallowed her questions, nodding as she felt a sense of helplessness wash over her.

No sooner had Jaylen stepped out than her phone lit up with a video call from the kids.

As soon as Maeve answered, a chubby little face filled the screen followed by an enthusiastic "Mommy!"

Will, who wasn't in view, chimed in, "Theo, you're blocking me!"

"Hey, move your cute little face over so Mommy can see you!" Maeve teased, her heart warming at the sight of her boys. "I want to see if you two have lost any weight." Realizing their mom was changing the subject, the boys silently agreed to steer clear of the virus talk.

Theo backed up from the camera, lifted his shirt, and proudly showed off his soft little belly, exclaiming. "Look, Mommy! I've lost weight because I missed you so much, and now I have abs!" Will reached out to poke Theo's chubby stomach, bursting into laughter. "Your abs are just one big blob!"

But honestly, it was so fun to touch. It felt like jelly-squishy and bouncy.

"That's not true! You just don't know how to appreciate the finer things!" Theo huffed, playfully shoving Will aside. He dropped his shirt and aimed to poke Will's belly instead. "Let me poke yours!" Will quickly dodged. "No way! I'm too little for abs!"

"I don't care! You touched me first, so now you have to pay!"

"Don't tickle me... haha!" Will reached toward the phone, pleading for Maeve's help. "Mommy, help me!"

Maeve propped her chin on her hand, laughing at their antics. "But Mommy wants to see too!"

Will was left speechless.

Nothing else he could do but give in.

Compared to Theo's round belly, Will's was much flatter. Thanks to the good care he'd received lately, he didn't look as thin as when Maeve had first seen him.

Maeve looked at the two chubby bellies on the screen and offered her honest opinion. "You, my good boy, should eat a little Jess, and you, sweetie, should eat more."This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

"I am your sweetie!" Theo exclaimed, puffing out his chest proudly. "I'm so handsome and charming that I need to eat more. Otherwise, I'd be wasting all these good looks Mommy gave me! He was truly loving himself.

"Come on, don't flatter yourself," Will said, pinching Theo's little arm. "You look great just the way you are. If you keep growing, Mommy won't be able to carry you anymore."

Theo blinked, weighing the options of eating more or being carried by his mom. Without hesitation, he chose the latter.

"I'll just eat less, then. I'd rather lose a little than lose Mommy's hugs," he declared dramatically, shaking his head.

Will nodded in agreement, cherishing those precious moments with their mom.