"Your name is William McDaniel?" Maeve asked, her heart skipping a beat. "You've always been with Byron?"
Will nodded. "Yes, Mom."
Shock washed over Maeve. A contradictory feeling surged within her. How is this possible? Why would he keep Will and raise him? Byron hates my child; he wanted to kill him, she thought.
Will sensed her disbelief. "Mom," he said hesitantly, "Theo told me you couldn't take me away because of Dad when we were born. Why?"
I don't understand what Dad did to make Mommy so afraid she had to escape, Will thought. It's no use asking Dad; he always gets cold whenever I mention it.
Maeve pursed her lips. She didn't want the boys to know that Byron, their father, hadn't wanted them born. Theo was fine; he'd never met Byron and felt nothing for him. But Will…
"I know," Theo said sadly, tilting his head. "He doesn't want us, does he?"
Maeve gasped. "Darling, how did you know?"
She hadn't told him about living separately from his father. "Well, Mommy," Theo explained, "children are very excited at night. They run around if they can't sleep." He'd run around and accidentally overheard a conversation between Maeve and Jaylen. It had only happened once, but Theo's memory was remarkable. Maeve was impressed; she hadn't realized he'd been eavesdropping.
Will frowned. "Mom, Theo, I think there's a misunderstanding."
"What misunderstanding?" Theo asked.
"I wasn't breathing when I was born," Will said, his eyelashes drooping. "Grandma said my condition was so severe I wouldn't live past two, even if I survived. But Dad never gave up. He found me the best doctors. No matter how busy he was, I could see him as soon as I woke up."
Maeve had never known this. Her heart ached; her eyes welled up. She was thrown back to the moment she learned Will had died prematurely.
But hearing that Byron had sought treatment for Will and spent time with him daily confused her. Is this the same Byron I know? she wondered. The one who said I couldn't give birth, who tied me to the operating table to force an abortion? Who called my child a bastard? Byron's heart is cold. I can't believe he genuinely cares for Will. There must be another reason.
Maeve's heart tightened; her shoulders trembled.
"Mommy, don't be afraid," Theo said, clutching her sleeve with his chubby hand. "I'll beat him up for you if he bullies you again! I'm here! No problem!" Theo always had a way of instantly lifting her spirits.
Will chimed in, "I won't let Daddy bully Mom."
The gloom in Maeve's eyes lifted; her heart warmed. She rubbed their heads. "Okay."
Then, she remembered something. "Will, how were you kidnapped today? Do you know who did it?"
Before Will could answer, the doorbell rang. Maeve looked through the peephole, her eyes widening.
Byron? What's he doing here? she thought.
"Mommy, who is it?" Theo asked, standing on tiptoe.
Maeve numbly replied, "Your father."
Theo was surprised.
Will mused, "I was gone a long time. Dad probably found out I was missing. But how did he know I was here?"
Maeve was puzzled, too. The welfare institute case involved many people, including descendants of political figures. The police kept it confidential, and it hadn't been long since Will's rescue. Logically, Byron shouldn't know. But considering the McDaniel family's power…
She'd taken Will from the police station.
A chill ran down Maeve's spine. "Theo, go hide!" she whispered urgently.
"No! I'll protect you!" Theo protested. The Great Demon King's at the door! I can't run now! he thought.
"He might take you. Go," Maeve insisted.
"Okay," Theo understood. He turned to Will. "Protecting Mommy is your responsibility now!"
"Don't worry," Will nodded solemnly. He didn't say his father wouldn't hurt Maeve.
Maeve steeled herself before opening the door.
"I heard Will's been with you," Byron said directly. "Where is he?"
"Yes, he's inside," Maeve said, her heart pounding.
Byron walked past her, his expression dark. He frowned upon seeing Will pale and sitting in the living room. [The rest of the passage is omitted due to the inclusion of website advertisement.]