"Boss, what should we do?" Neville's subordinate asked, shocked.

Neville sneered. "It's more fun this way. If my opponent is too useless, how boring would that be? Besides, I have a surprise for Byron, my good big brother. I've lived long enough for the surprise to come, haven't I?" He delivered the words sinisterly, then pulled on his windbreaker, stepped onto the pier, and walked away.

After dinner, Maeve received a call from Theo. He hadn't come today because he'd aroused Byron's suspicion. He'd been unhappy all day in kindergarten and called Maeve after getting home.

Maeve was unaware of the competition between Byron, Will, and Theo for favor. Hearing Theo's muttering about Byron, she assumed Byron was bullying him.

Soon, it was Theo's bedtime. Maeve placed her phone by her pillow and sang a lullaby to soothe him to sleep.

Byron entered and heard her gentle, delicate singing. Each syllable resonated deeply within him.

The ward's ceiling light was off; only a wall light beside the bed was on. Maeve lay on her side, her head resting on her arm, eyes closed, humming softly. The warm orange light bathed her, creating an unbelievably warm ambiance.

Byron's heart skipped a beat; his fingertips tingled. It felt as if something long suppressed was about to erupt.

Her singing gradually faded as Maeve drifted off to sleep, but her phone remained connected.

Byron approached the bed and tucked Maeve in. He inadvertently saw the caller ID—"Sweet Theo"—and his expression darkened. That boy again, he thought.

He picked up the phone, noting the nearly two-and-a-half-hour call duration. Coldness filled his eyes. Maeve talked to the boy for so long and sang him a lullaby. She's good to him… A sleepy voice then emanated from the phone. "Good night, Mommy. I'm going to sleep." A kiss seemed to be sent from afar.

Byron's pupils constricted. He gripped the phone tighter, the veins on his hand bulging. Is it that child? What did he just call Maeve? Mommy?

His expression eventually softened; he pressed his fingers to his temples. The child said Maeve is his godmother. Perhaps that's what he calls her privately. He's about Will's age. He can't be Maeve's child. Back then, Maeve only gave birth to Will. Even if she and Jaylen had another child, it wouldn't be this age.

Byron stood by the bed, gazing at Maeve's sleeping face with intense scrutiny. Suspicion flickered in his eyes. Is he really not?

The next morning, Maeve was oblivious to how their phone call nearly exposed Theo's identity. She only noticed Byron's unusual gaze.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked, touching her cheek, confused. "Is there something on my face?"

Byron's probing gaze remained fixed on her. After a moment, he said in a low voice, "Is Jaylen's friend close to you?"

Why is he suddenly mentioning Theo? she wondered.

Maeve's heart tightened. "Yes, he is. His mother and I are good friends. He calls me godmother."

"Is that so?" Byron took a sip of coffee. "Why did I hear him call you 'Mommy' last night?"

Maeve's scalp tingled. When did that happen? Why don't I know? What does he suspect that he's been watching me all morning?

"People in Erancia aren't particular about this. Sometimes he calls me 'sister,' sometimes 'Mommy'," she stammered. "I got such a cute son for nothing. I got lucky."

Byron's eyes turned cold at her last sentence. "Oh? Is someone else's son that good?"

She could cruelly abandon her own son? he thought.

Maeve believed Byron was testing her, so she nodded. "Kids are better off in other families, aren't they?"

Byron's coffee cup crashed onto the table. He stood, his expression dark. "I have something to do. Eat by yourself."

Seeing his gloomy expression, Maeve frowned. How did I offend him by saying other people's children are good? Could it be that I didn't praise his child, and he feels unbalanced? No way! She attributed his anger to a bad morning.

Lynn arrived shortly after breakfast. Maeve had mixed feelings about her. Initially, she disliked Lynn's princess-like attitude and perceived lack of intelligence. However, Lynn's refusal to leave Maeve alone in the freezer, even though she could have escaped herself, changed Maeve's opinion. Lynn, despite her delicate appearance, had carried Maeve and jumped out the window—a display of remarkable courage.

"How are you? Are you alright?" Maeve asked, noticing Lynn's pallor. "What did the doctor say?"

"I'm fine. The doctor told me to rest more," Lynn replied, her cheeks flushed, her demeanor still innocent, yet slightly uneasy. "I'm here to return this to you."

Maeve was stunned to see the down jacket Lynn handed over—the one she'd worn the day of her kidnapping.

"Thank you. I forgot," Maeve said, taking the coat, her eyes shining. "We both would have died without this coat. I must keep it safe." She mused about buying more, given its quality.

Maeve expected Lynn's usual arrogant retort, but Lynn was strangely shy and uneasy. The feeling of a young girl yearning for love? Maeve shook her head, dismissing the thought.

"I…I can keep it for you," Lynn whispered. "Can I have it?"

Maeve, assuming Lynn wanted a souvenir, readily agreed. "Sure, keep it well."