Maeve's fever subsided after she drank the medicine, and her flushed cheeks gradually returned to normal. She was in a deep sleep. Theo found a comfortable position at her feet and leaned over softly.

Will asked curiously, "Don't you feel uncomfortable sleeping like this?"

"No," Theo replied, pulling a corner of the blanket over himself and smiling. "Maeve likes to use me to warm her feet in the winter. She said my body is warm and comfortable." He added, "I'm Mommy's exclusive foot-warming treasure. There's no other thought, Theo."

Will was a little envious. He had never warmed Maeve's feet, let alone slept with her. Theo, noticing Will's desire, pulled him up. "This bed is big. It's fine for us to sleep together. Stay close to the other side and let's warm Maeve up together."

"Okay!" Will's pale face blushed. He quickly took off his shoes and socks and got into bed, carefully leaning against Maeve's leg.

Maeve, asleep, felt a soft weight clinging to her. She pulled it into her arms and hugged it like a doll. Caught off guard, Will's ears turned red. His small body froze; he dared not move, his breathing subconsciously lightening. Byron, observing Will's stillness, pressed his eyebrows together. He mused, Will would probably be delighted to know Maeve is his biological mother. But what about Maeve? That may not be the case.

"You guys sleep here. Don't wake her up or run around. Do you hear me?" Byron reminded them in a deep voice.

"Okay," Will and Theo said in unison.

That strange illusion came again. Byron frowned slightly, suppressed his doubts, and left the ward. Archer, waiting outside, stepped forward. "Mr. McDaniel, Neville has boarded the ship leaving the country."

"Okay," Byron said, a cold light flashing in his eyes. "You can make your move now."

"Yes."

The next morning, Maeve was still asleep but in much better condition. Byron had breakfast brought to the ward for Will and Theo.

"Aren't you going to eat?" Theo asked suspiciously, noticing the breakfast was for two.

"Dad doesn't have the habit of having breakfast," Will explained.

"Oh, no wonder he has gastric problems," Theo remarked.

Byron and Will looked at Theo simultaneously. Byron looked thoughtful. Maeve told him? he wondered.

Theo realized his slip. Before he could explain, the ward door opened. Alexis, visiting after learning of Maeve's illness, was surprised to see Theo. "Dr. Leo Chatterly, why aren't you home yet? Aren't you afraid your mommy will be worried?"

Byron raised an eyebrow. "You have a mommy?"

Theo's face darkened. "What are you talking about? I can't exist without a mommy. Did I jump out of a rock?"

"It's not that," Byron said slowly. "Look at how you treated Maeve better than your own mother last night. Those who don't know better would think she's your mother."

Byron's words alarmed Will and Theo. Will poked Theo under the table, urging him to answer carefully. Theo quickly devised a response. "Maeve and my mommy are good friends. Maeve is also my godmother. Of course, I have to treat her well."

Byron remained unconvinced but didn't press further, making it seem like a casual question. Will and Theo, however, were not fooled. They knew they couldn't outsmart Byron. So, Theo's "mommy" came to collect him at noon.

Theo resented having to leave his mother because of his father's scheming. Will, needing a checkup, was sent back to the manor by Byron.

The ward fell silent. Maeve awoke in a daze. She saw Byron on the sofa, working. The afternoon sun shone on him, illuminating him as if with a thin layer of gold. Maeve was momentarily stunned before the pain in her temples returned her to her senses. She reached for her water, but her weakened body knocked over the glass.

Crack! The glass fell onto the carpet.

Byron turned, seeing Maeve's guilty expression. He pushed aside his laptop, cleaned up the mess, and said, "I'm sorry," Maeve whispered, her voice weak and hoarse. "I wasn't careful."

Byron stopped cleaning and looked into her eyes. "Maeve, you don't have to be so careful. Also, I'm right beside you. Just tell me what you want next time." Maeve clenched her fingers, silent.

Byron poured her water. "What else do you want?" he asked.

Maeve shook her head. "No, thank you." Her aloofness and politeness contrasted sharply with her angry phone call the previous night. Byron's eyes darkened. He disliked this attitude.

"Maeve, do you have anything to say to me?"

Maeve paused, then looked up. "I'm sorry. I got a little carried away last night, but normal people couldn't control themselves under those circumstances. I hope I didn't offend you."

"Are you sure you want to keep talking to me like that?"

"What tone?" Maeve asked, confused.

Byron sneered. "The tone you're ready to draw a line with me, to avoid interacting with me. Before, you were coquettish and quarreling with me. Now you pretend nothing happened?"

Maeve pursed her lips. "Just pretend I was delirious. Anyway, thank you for saving me last night. I'll remember your kindness and repay you if I can."

Byron was almost amused by her attitude. It's fine you didn't want me, but a brat, when I gave you medicine last night. Now you want to cut ties? he thought.

A coldness flashed in Byron's eyes. He leaned closer. Maeve's pupils constricted; she dodged. "What are you doing?"

"There's not a word out of your mouth that I like right now," Byron said, his voice low and mocking. "Instead of letting your mouth continue to say things I don't like to hear, why don't you let it do something else?"

Before Maeve could react, Byron kissed her.

(Note: The final sentence fragment "What do you mean?" is integrated into the preceding sentence for better flow. The promotional text for FindNovel.net was removed.)