Maeve knew Gilbert had always doted on her, which was why she didn't want to see him in a difficult position. As Byron had said, they weren't getting remarried anytime soon. They had a long way to go, and no one could predict the future.

Gilbert nodded wearily. "I'm going to rest for a bit. You all keep eating." With that, he left the dining room, supported by Damian.

Alexis slammed her fork onto the table, giving Jason a cold glare. "You, come with me," she said before storming out, her anger radiating from her posture. If Will hadn't been present, she might have already launched into a tirade. Jason, clearly embarrassed, followed her. Alexis's temper had become uncontrollable since their last confrontation; he no longer dared provoke her easily.

Byron remained entirely composed despite his parents' imminent argument, calmly helping Maeve and Will with their food. Maeve, however, had lost her appetite. After a few bites, she set down her fork and excused herself to the restroom.

The sound of running water filled the room as Maeve washed her hands, lost in thought. When she snapped back to reality, she saw Byron leaning against the wall, seemingly waiting. Startled, she stared at him. "What's wrong?" His gaze was intense.

Byron's eyes held a curious glint. "You don't seem surprised that Will is your biological son." Her earlier reaction had been shock, but not the kind he expected. She seemed more surprised by his revelation than by the fact itself.

Maeve was shocked at his perceptiveness. She admitted frankly, "Yes. I've known for a long time."

Byron's expression darkened. "You never mentioned it and acted as if you didn't know." She acted like Will's big sister and never showed any guilt around Byron.

"You've never been clear about your intentions," Maeve said, staring back at him through the mirror. "Just like four years ago when I didn't understand why you were so determined to make me abort the baby."

"Maeve, are you joking?" Byron's brows furrowed in confusion. "Why would I ever force you to abort our child?" He sensed her words were tied to Karen's elaborate deception.

Maeve gripped the sink, her mind swirling as she searched for the right words. Byron stood there, his intense gaze fixed on her, waiting.

After a long silence, Maeve's tense body gradually relaxed, and she let out a slow breath. "Maybe you've forgotten," she said, "but I once asked what you would do if we had a child. Without hesitation, you told me you'd strangle it with your own hands." As Maeve repeated those words, the chill she had felt then crept over her body again, causing her to tremble uncontrollably.

"Later, when Karen had me tied down on that operating table, they told me it was your order to take my child." Maeve let out a bitter laugh. "Byron, do you know why I never doubted them for a second? Because of you." His attitude, every word he had spoken, had clearly shown his rejection and distaste for his child.

Byron's pupils contracted, and his throat tightened. "Maeve."

Maeve cut him off. "I understood why you hated your flesh and blood but could accept an adopted child. When I first found out I was pregnant, I considered telling you, hoping you might share my joy. But you didn't. You imprisoned me in your estate and forced me to get rid of the baby."

"Maeve," Byron's voice was low and tense. "You've misunderstood. I didn't lock you up because I wanted you to abort the child. I did it because I thought you wanted to."

"What?" Maeve stared at him in disbelief.

Byron's gaze never wavered. "The day you were hospitalized after being injured by the falling chandelier at the restaurant, Archer found out you had visited a clinic for an abortion. I thought you wanted to get rid of my child after the divorce. To prevent that, I confined you to the estate. But then you went on a hunger strike and even tried to jump from the balcony. What was I supposed to think?"

Maeve was stunned, her mouth slightly open, her ears buzzing. "I thought you were trying to get rid of my child," she said, "and that's why I didn't eat anything, fearing you would poison the food. I tried to escape because I didn't want to wake up one day and find that the baby was gone! And you even said back then that I could leave only if I left the child behind."

"Ridiculous," Byron's expression grew colder. "What I meant was you could leave if you gave birth first."

The two stood there, staring at each other, feeling the absurdity and helplessness in every word exchanged.

Maeve still couldn't believe it. "You never wanted me to abort the child?"

Byron's chest heaved as he struggled to contain his emotions. "Maeve, I admit that before I knew you were pregnant, I was against the idea of having a child. That was because I didn't want him to carry my blood, the blood of that despicable Jason." His deep voice held a subtle but unmistakable disgust, the coldness around him palpable.

Maeve shivered, staring at his cold expression, her heart sinking. If she hadn't known Jason, she might not have understood Byron's feelings. But she did know, and she had seen it for herself. Byron despised Jason as much as he loathed the fact that he was Jason's son.

"After I found out you were pregnant, those thoughts vanished from my mind." The coldness around Byron began to dissipate as he looked deeply into Maeve's eyes. "If I had any thought at all back then, it was only about how to protect you both." Maeve felt her eyes sting, her fingers loosening and then tightening again. But it wasn't enough to stop her tears streaming down her face.

As soon as Byron saw her crying, his expression softened. He quickly pulled her into his arms. "Maeve," he whispered, gently cupping the back of her neck, "It was my fault. I should have explained everything to you sooner. I shouldn't have let you carry all these thoughts."

Maeve's face was wet with tears as she leaned into his shoulder. She muttered, "It was your fault. If you had just explained..."