The Heir's Secret Bride

"Yep. Byron replied.

"Then why didn't you remind me? Maeve pressed on.

"You didn't ask."

Maeve Mae was

left speechless.

She pressed her lips together in frustration. She didn't want to turn back after running just a little bit, so she tried another approach. "Mr. Mcdaniel, how about I treat you to some drinks, and you teach me Byron nodded reluctantly. "Alright."

After a short break. Maeve started running again, matching Byron's pace.

Following the posture and breathing technique he taught her, she found the run noticeably easier this time and managed to keep going for longer.

After completing two laps, Byron was the first to stop.

"That's enough for today. Keep running like this, and in two weeks, we'll see if you need to adjust the intensity," he said.

Panting heavily, Maeve wiped the sweat from her neck and glanced at Byron, who looked perfectly composed, "Are you sure you're okay? Your injury didn't act up, did it?" "hope" Byron kept his hands in his pockets, his tone cool and indifferent. This amount of exercise isn't enough make it

worse

"That's a relief"

They walked slowly side by side as the cool night breeze took away some of the lingering heat from their run.

Passing a beverage shop. Maeve turned and asked, "I'll grab something. What kind of drinks do you want, how about some sports drinks?"

Byron wasn't interested in sugary, artificial drinks. He simply replied, "I don't drink that stuff

Maeve noticed his disdain and fell silent, thinking, 'Has he seriously never had this kind of drinks before?"

when they

left the shop, Maeve handed him a cup of lemonade. "Here, I got you some lemonade"

Byron raised an eyebrow slightly, gave her a quick glance, then took the cup.

Maeve took a big gulp of her juice, immediately feeling her fatigue melt away.

"This is so good!" she exclaimed.

Byron took a sip of the lemonade, swallowing without changing his expression, thinking. It tastes awful.

But when he saw the way Maeve's face lit up, like she was drinking the best thing in the world, he couldn't help but frown.

He thought, Is it the drink, or something else? Hers really looks like it tastes amazing

Maybe he stared a bit too long, because Maeve noticed and assumed he wanted a taste.

Without thinking, she offered it to him. "Wanna try? It's actually pretty good."

Byron usually had a thing about cleanliness and never shared drinks with others.

But the pure bliss on her face made him suspicious. Is there something special in that juice?

It wasn't until after she asked that Maeve realized she might've crossed a line.

Just as she was about to pull her hand back, Byron leaned down and took a sip directly from her straw.

He seemed to catch a piece of fruit, his cheek puffing out slightly. The normally cool and distant expression on his face softened just a bit in that moment. Maeve's eyes widened, and her face quickly flushed bright red.

She th

She in

thought, "Did he seriously just drink from it? Isn't that basically an indirect kiss?

Byron slowly swallowed the fruit. The taste wasn't anything special, but it wasn't bad either. The fruit bits were decent.

Noticing Marve's face turning crimson and her eyes full of shock, Byron raised an eyebrow.

"Don't tell me you're getting worked up over some silly indirect kiss' nonsense." He scoffed lightly. "We've kissed before, and now you're blushing over a sip of juice?" He thought, So easy to fluster.

Maeve nearly crushed her juice cup in her grip.

-I wasn't thinking about that at all! And what do you mean we've already kissed? Don't make it sound like there's something going on between us."

Her dismissive tone irked Byron, and his eyes turned cold. "Then maybe don't offer me yo

me your juice next time."

7-

Maeve realized she had made a mistake.

She clamped her mouth shut, sulking. Now she was stuck holding the half-finished juice, unsure whether to drink it or toss

She thought. Why did I even ask if he wanted a sip? I really dug myself into a hole!

The two of them walked in awkward silence for quite a while.

When they passed a clothing store, Maeve stopped and turned to him, "ed to pick something up. Are you coming in?" "No." Byron's response was curt.

וויוי

I wait for you, but only for ten minutes."

Maeve dashed off without looking back.

She thought. No way am I walking back alone."

She didn't have many sneakers, so she wanted to get another pair to rotate with.

Maeve was quick and decisive, picking what she needed and heading to the checkout in just five minutes.

"Maeve? Is that really you? A surprised voice called out behind her.

She turned to see a short-haired girl in a sparkly mini-skirt, despite the chilly autumn weather, walking over with a smile. "I almost didn't recognize you." 14:42 Mon,Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

213

Maeve blinked in surprise. "Maura"

Maura Lowery was one of her old university classmates, though they were never particularly close-just the occasional

contact

"Can't believe you still remember me." Maura grabbed her arm enthusiastically. "I heard you broke up with Jeff Weren't you guys about to get married" "How did you hear about that?"

"Everyone's talking about it in our class group chat. They say you dumped a rich guy to marry some broke driver. Is that

Marve nodded. "It's true."

Maura burst out laughing. "Are you crazy? Throwing away a wealthy man to pick up a broke driver? Everyone's been. gossiping behind your back, saying you'll totally regret it. I actually feel bad for you-giving up such a cushy future just like that." Maeve finally caught on, thinking. This old classmate is just here to stir the pot The smile on her face faded. "What they think has nothing to do with me. And who says a woman's future is defined by who she married?

"Sure,

Jeff's rich-a hundred times richer than my husband-but in my eyes, he's not worth a strand of my husband's hair. No amount of money would make me marry him."

With that, Maeve eve took the shopping bag from the cashier, then paused and looked at the stunned Maura. "Don't bring this up to me again. If you do, we won't even be acquaintances anymore."

She turned to leave, only to see Byron walking over

Dressed in dark athletic wear that accentuated his tall, lean build, he carried himself with the presence of a runway model. It was as if all the light in the store suddenly focused on him.

Maura's heart raced, her eyes glued to

to him, unable to look away,

Just as she was about to strike up a conversation, she was floored when he stopped right in front of Maeve and asked. "All

"Yeah, I'm done." Maeve was bit surprised. "Weren't you waiting outside?"

"It's cold, Byron replied, his voice cool and indifferent, though a faint smirk played on his lips. "Let's go."

He thought, 'Of course your ex-boyfriend can't hold a candle to me. You've got your priorities straight

Without overthinking it, Maeve followed him out. But just as they were leaving, Maura suddenly called out, "Wait! Maeve, aren't you married? If your husband finds out you're cozying up to another guy like this, wouldn't he be upset?