Maeve sank back against the headboard, a grin spreading across her face. Honestly, convincing Theo to cut back on snacks was proving far tougher than she’d imagined.

Just as she playfully poked at the screen where her two little ones beamed back at her, her phone buzzed, jolting her with a call from Tom.

“Hey, Tom! What’s up?” she answered, curiosity dancing in her voice.

“Maeve, I’m about to head back to Erancia,” Tom said, his voice tinged with static and the distant roar of commotion. “I wanted to thank you for everything. It means a lot.” Maeve blinked in surprise, her heart skipping a beat. “Wait, you’re leaving already?”

“It’s not as sudden as it seems. I’ve been mulling it over. I’m sorry I can’t keep looking out for you,” he replied.

“It’s okay. You’ve got a lot on your plate, and honestly, it’s probably better you don’t stay here too long. We wouldn’t want you to attract any trouble, right?” Maeve reassured him. “Your family must be worried sick. Going home is probably the right move.”

There was a pause. She could almost hear the wheels turning in his mind before he asked, “So we’re still friends, right?”

Maeve hesitated a heartbeat, her heart fluttering, before a smile broke through. “Absolutely! Friends stick together, no matter what.”

His relief was palpable, even through the phone, lightening the mood slightly as he faced whatever awaited him. Just then, she heard Hudson Nolan and his wife calling for him to board the plane.

“I have to go now. Until next time,” he said.

“Take care and safe travels,” Maeve replied.

After she hung up, Tom turned to the Nolans, a sharp glint flashing in his honey-brown eyes. “Are you sure she’ll be safe once I leave?”

Hudson hesitated. “Your Highness, the X virus probably leaked from the Erancia research facility. Who else could have that kind of access but royal family members? If they’re looking to hurt you, dragging Maeve into this would certainly be part of their plan. If you leave, they won’t have any reason to target her anymore.”

Tom’s expression hardened. He’d suspected this all along; otherwise, he wouldn’t have agreed to go back so quickly. After five long years of silence, Maeve had been the only warmth he’d found in a world that had grown so cold. He couldn’t bear the thought of her suffering because of him.

“Let’s go,” Tom said decisively, turning and striding toward the waiting royal jet.

The sunset cast a golden hue, stretching his shadow long behind him like the regal figure he was, reclaiming the brilliance of a royal heir.

Once onboard, Maeve learned from her boys about Prince Hosea’s efforts to help her. If he hadn’t intervened, the helicopter carrying the supplies might have been captured. At that moment, it dawned on Maeve why Tom had to return home. To protect her, he had to expose his whereabouts—the royal family already knew he was there. He needed to go back.

The thought warmed her heart, a strange and comforting sensation. It felt foreign. The familial love she’d never truly experienced suddenly blossomed from Tom, a man she’d known for less than three months. He always had her back, like a big brother who took care of everything, ensuring she didn’t have to lift a finger. Whenever chaos erupted with clients in the studio, he was always the first to shield her from the storm. He had turned every childhood fantasy she had about a protective brother into a vivid reality.

Now, the idea that she might never see him again filled Maeve with a profound sense of melancholy, an ache that tugged at her heart. Maeve’s kids suddenly ended their video call.

Feeling drained, she decided not to press them for details. Instead, she sank back against her pillow, hoping to steal a few moments of rest. But a weight settled in her chest, an unexpected heaviness that wouldn’t let go.

Sitting up straight, she pressed her fingertips against her heart, an urgent need to check her phone tugging at her. Something felt off, an anxious knot tightening within her as if a storm was brewing. And it seemed somehow connected to Byron.

Unable to shake off the rising tide of worry, Maeve powered her phone back on and dialed Byron’s number. After a few agonizing seconds, the call connected. Her heart leaped at the sound of his voice, but her excitement quickly faded.

“I’m sorry, Ms. Reese, but Mr. McDaniel is currently in a meeting. Is there something I can pass along?” Archer’s voice was polite but firm.

“I don’t want to disturb him. It’s nothing urgent. Sorry for interrupting,” Maeve replied quickly, disappointment pooling in her stomach as she hung up.

Staring at the blank white ceiling, her heart ached, and tears threatened to spill over. She buried her face in her arms, soft sobs escaping her lips. Maybe, to Byron, she just didn’t matter enough. So many things seemed to take precedence—his work, his social life, and perhaps even a lingering first love. In his eyes, she might just be a fleeting thought.

What Maeve hadn’t expected was that Byron was right next door, fighting for his life. The experimental treatment he was undergoing carried immense risks, and even the smallest mistake could lead to disaster.

Meanwhile, Theo and Will were outside the emergency room, gripping each other’s hands tightly, tears streaming down their cheeks.

“It’s going to be okay. Dad’s going to be just fine,” Will kept whispering to Theo, who was sobbing, using his tiny hands to wipe his brother’s tears.

“If he makes it through this, I swear I’ll accept him as my dad,” Theo said through his sniffles, suddenly regretting all the times he hadn’t been nicer to their father. What if he never got the chance to make things right? Even though Byron often teased him about being chubby and sometimes swiped his cartoon backpack, he truly loved him. There was so much he wished he could say. If their dad pulled through, he would share the backpack with him!

With a determined glint in his eyes, Theo clenched his tiny fist, making a silent vow.

As the night wore on, the doors to the emergency room finally swung open, and Jaylen emerged with a few colleagues. The kids had anxiously waited by the monitors all night, refusing to sleep despite Daryl’s gentle coaxing. The most they managed was to lean against him for a short nap. When they saw Jaylen, they dashed over, eager for news.

“Your dad is okay! And believe it or not, this whole ordeal helped us figure out the last step of the antidote,” Jaylen said, offering them a reassuring smile. “You guys should head off to bed now.”

Slowly, the tension in their little bodies began to ease. Will took a deep breath and bowed his head. “Thank you, Jaylen, for saving my dad and mom. I’ll remember your kindness and repay you someday.” Jaylen’s gaze softened. “Just having your dad back is more than enough for me.”

Will tilted his head, confused.

“Hey, Jaylen, you look pale,” Theo said, reaching out to grab Jaylen’s hand, concern filling his eyes. “Is something wrong with you?”

“I’m fine,” Jaylen said quickly, pulling his hand away. “I haven’t coughed up blood lately, and I’ve been taking my meds. I promise I’m okay.”

“Alright, you both need to get some rest. We can’t have you getting sick while your mom and dad are still recovering,” Jaylen urged gently.