The Heir's Secret Bride

to handle.

Maeve turned her head, sensing someone watching her, and there stood Byron, his eyes swirling with unreadable emotions, his expression hovering between a smile and something she couldn't tell. Her heart skipped a beat, and the bouquet she held suddenly felt too hot When did he come back? He couldn't have heard what they were talking about from that far, right?' as Maeve's mind raced with wild thoughts, Byron casually strode over and took a seat beside her. Jaylen noticed Byron's arrival but didn't seem surprised. He had figured it out a while ago-Byron wasn't going to let Maeve go easily.

Jaylen

The two men had nothing to say to each other, both treating the other as if they didn't exist. The air around them chilled, and Maeve, sitting between them, felt the cold creep over her skin, goosebumps forming on her arms. glanced at her, concerned. "Are you cold? Want my jacket?" Before he could finish, a dark double-breasted coat was already draped over her shoulders. Byron withdrew his hand without a word, his face emotionless. Jaylen's hand, which had been halfway to taking off his own jacket, froze. He chuckled, his voice still friendly. "No need for your concern, Mr. Mcdaniel. I'll take care of my fiancée."

Byron's lips curled into a faint, mocking smile. "Maybe you should take care of yourself first, miracle doctor. With that frail look of yours, you'll be needing an ambulance without your jacket." Jaylen's expression cooled.

Maeve quickly tugged at Byron's sleeve, whispering, "Let it go." After all, Jaylen was a patient.

Seeing Maeve protect Jaylen only made Byron's face harder, his dark gaze locking onto her for a few seconds. Then he leaned back in his seat, crossed his arms, and said nothing more Maeve felt a bad premonition under his intense gaze, her heart pounding with nerves. At that moment, the lights in the audience dimmed, and a spotlight hit the stage-the show was about to begin.

Maeve forced herself to calm down, turning her attention to the stage in eager anticipation. Suddenly, a cool hand gently guided her chin to the left.

Maeve's eyes widene widened in surprise, and before she could react, she felt a soft, cool touch against her lips. In the darkened theater, where nothing could be seen clearly, every other sense became sharper. Even though Maeve knew no one e would s see them, the the idea of kissing i in a a place surrounded by people carried a heady thrill. She could faintly hear the wet sound of Byron's tongue teasing hers. The intimacy of the moment made Ma made Maeve's burny with embarrassment, her mind swirling. She couldn't hear the faint murmurs of the crowd anymore; all that existed was Byron's scent and the sound of his shallow breathing, making her ears burn with heat. For a moment, it e's face it felt like the whole room disappeared, leaving just the two of them. "Ahem." Jaylen seemed to have a sore throat and coughed softly from the side, breaking the spell. Maeve snapped back to reality, quickly pushing Byron away and sitting upright, praying no one had noticed anything strange.

Byron made a small tsk, wiped his lips with his thumb, and turned his attention back to the stage as if nothing had happened. "And now, please welcome the students for their performance of Sleeping Beauty!" The announcer's voice filled the theater. The curtain rose, and the little actors immediately captured the audience's attention.

Though the stage was small and the set, while lovely, was a bit stiff, the children's enthusiasm brought the story to life. They

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wore charming, old-world-costumes; the boys looked like little gentlemen, and the girls fluttered about like tiny fairies, perfectly accessorized without being over the top. With a grand ball as the backdrop, it was like stepping into a fairytale. "I've never seen my boy look this handsome before!"

"Whoever designed these costumes really nailed it! This looks so much better than the last show."

"No wonder Faye Nole wasn't picked for this. Makes sense now."

"I almost went to the principal to complain when she didn't get the role. Glad I didn't embarrass myself now." "After the show, I've got to find out who did these costumes. I want something like this for my kid." Low murmurs rippled through the crowd. In Maeve, completely unaware of

of the

the middle row, Faye's face turned green, and the camera she'd brought to catch Maeve in an unflattering light was now discarded at her feet. growing animosity towards sher, fanned her flushed face and turned her attention back to the stage just as Will, her little star, appeared. "How dare you throw a party and not invite me! You think you can ignore the greatest witch in the world? I'll curse this little princess! On her sixteenth birthday, she'll be so enchanted by her reflection that she'll die of her own beauty! Muahahaha!" Maeve alm in his costume-a deep purple dress, devil horns, and a magic wand in hand. His cackling, evil laughter filled the theater. 'Is that really the same kid who has been too shy to rehearse at home?" she wondered. "Oh no! I forgot to take a picture!" Maeve gasped, flustered by Will's acting.

almost didn didn't recognize her son in

"No need to take pictures. I had Archer bring a filming crew to record from the back," Byron said calmly. Maeve was

was stunned. 'Poor Archer really did get all the jobs,' she thought. "He's playing the the prince. Should be the

When

When does Theo come on?" Byron askeet scene," Maeve replied.

be the next

Right as she spoke, the little prince finally made his entrance after the princess and the kingdom fell into an enchanted sleep. Dressed in a blue and gold knight's outfit, the little prince rode a prop horse to the foot of the castle. His deep red cape billowed behind him, one hand gripping the reins while the other raised a sword high. His dashing appearance caused a stir among the audience. However, when his little face, darkened by makeup, turned toward the crowd, it added a slightly comical touch. Maeve clutched her chest and, her heart swelling with pride, whispered, "My baby looks amazing!"

Byron side-eyed her, wondering, 'How did Jaylen's son suddenly become her baby?'

The prince fought his sway through countless trials and finally reached the tower.

The wicked

The cked switch-Will-reappeared, and the two of them had an epic duel, swinging swords and casting spells before Will finally fell in defeat.

The prince sheathed his sword and approached the bed where the princess lay in an enchanted sleep.

"Oh my!

I've never seen such a beautiful girl! Allow me to sing to you and awaken you from your sleep!"

Maeve raised an eyebrow, thinking, 'Isn't the prince supposed to kiss the princess? Must've been changed for the kids' version. Well, at least I'd get to hear Theo sing his voice should be adorable!' Theo opened his mouth, and his voice, amplified by the microphone, filled the room with the most off-key, painfully high-

pitched notes. "From a distant land, there lies a beautiful princess, enchanting and-"

Maeve's smile froze, her horror growing as she hastily covered her ears.

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