She was so humble that she couldn't believe she had sent the message. However, the feedback was silence for days. Maeve rubbed her eyes and replied expressionlessly: "[get away]".

The two little ones almost burst into tears. She was so cold, even the message was casual. The children didn't know their mother's heart was in turmoil. She kept telling herself he might have been drunk, so his words weren't trustworthy. Yet, she also wanted to trust him.

Finally, she focused on the uniform design. Paige had sent a photo of the newly produced school uniform. Maeve checked it and felt modifications were needed. Time passed as she worked. "Damn! He missed me, so what? None of my business!" she threw her pen aside, falling back onto the sofa. "Stop thinking about him."

Affected by Byron's message, she couldn't calm down. Seeing the good weather, she decided to go downstairs to bask in the sun. The children were at kindergarten, so the nurse took her out in a wheelchair. Maeve closed her eyes, trying to clear her mind. Suddenly, a familiar voice sounded. "Maeve? How come you're in the hospital?"

Alexis was shocked, even more so seeing Maeve in a wheelchair. "What's wrong with your legs? Are you unwell?"

Maeve, a little uncomfortable, softly explained, "I was sick and haven't recovered, so I need a wheelchair temporarily." Alexis looked caring. "What illness? Is it serious? Do you need me to..."

"It's just a cold. I'm fine now," Maeve smiled. "Thanks for your concern."

Alexis sighed in relief, but her eyes held sorrow. "Kleymond's influenza has been very serious. Byron was infected. And you also."

Maeve's smile froze. "What's wrong with Byron?"

"You don't know? You're together every day. He's hospitalized too." Alexis looked surprised.

"I... don't know," Maeve was stunned. "I haven't seen him for days, and he didn't tell me."

Alexis worried, "Did you quarrel?"

She comforted Maeve, "Byron probably didn't want to worry you. He's seriously ill; unconscious for days and hasn't woken up. He hasn't been to the company, so I asked Archer. And he..." Alexis's voice trailed off. Maeve gripped the wheelchair armrest, her gaze shifting from shock to confusion, then horror.

When Xasia broke out in Kleymond, Jaylen said there were over a hundred cases before it was controlled. Byron was probably infected.

"Mr. McDaniel, could you take me to see Byron?" Maeve asked anxiously.

"Just call me Alexis. Considering your relationship with Byron, you don't need to be so courteous," Alexis said. "Let me take you there."

"Thank you." Maeve clenched her fists, her heart racing.

Xasia was different from the mutant variant, less dangerous, and had an antidote. The infected would be fine with medicine within 24 hours. But Byron had been in a coma for days—not a symptom of X-virus infection. Or he was infected by the mutant variant, like her.

Maeve remembered the isolation ward. 'So the patient opposite was Byron?' Her heart twisted. 'So that dream is true? He might have been infected by me.' The touch hadn't felt like a dream.

The elevator went to the top floor. When Maeve was pushed before Byron's ward, she realized hers was next door. They were separated by a wall, but she hadn't noticed. The bodyguard greeted Alexis respectfully, needing to ask for instructions.

"Byron is awake?" Alexis was overjoyed.

"Mr. McDaniel just woke up. The doctor said he needs rest." The bodyguard opened the door and entered.

In less than two minutes, he returned, apologizing, "I'm sorry, Mrs. McDaniel. Mr. McDaniel doesn't want to see anyone."

"Why?" Alexis asked. "Didn't you tell him Maeve came?"

It was understandable Byron didn't want to see his mother, but refusing Maeve made no sense.

The bodyguard looked conflicted. "I did, but it was Mr. McDaniel's order."

Maeve took a deep breath. "Please tell him we won't disturb his rest. We'll just take a look and leave."

The bodyguard went in. However, the feedback was the same.

Maeve and Alexis exchanged glances. Even if once incompatible, they understood each other. Alexis let go of the wheelchair handle and addressed the bodyguards.

"Hurry up. I'll stop them. They won't dare," Alexis urged.

"Thank you, Alexis," Maeve said, pushing the door open.

The bodyguards, wary of Alexis, didn't resist. They watched as Maeve entered.

The ward was quiet; the wheelchair's roll amplified. The man on the bed turned his head. His hair fell over his eyebrows, looking lazy and casual. But his eyes were covered with gauze; the rest of his face pale and sickly.

Maeve's eyes widened, staring at the gauze in disbelief.

Hearing someone, Byron thought it was the doctor. "Did you leave something?"

There was no answer, only the wheelchair getting closer. Byron frowned, his expression turning cold. "Maeve."

"What happened to your eyes?" Maeve's voice trembled.

"Who let you in?" Byron didn't answer. His tone was unprecedentedly cold. "Get out. Don't make me repeat..."

He stopped. He felt Maeve's cold hands cupping his face, touching his eyes.