Chapter 414

Theo also found it strange. He'd asked several times by phone, but Uncle Loren was vague, only saying he wanted Theo to treat a very important person. He didn't mention who. Maeve guessed it was likely his mother, Princess Wren. She remembered the Princess was unwell and recuperating at home all year. Besides the Queen, she was the only one who could make Loren so cautious. He'd even sent plane tickets—obviously anxious and without time to inform them beforehand.

"Do you guys want to go?" Maeve asked.

The two little ones nodded eagerly. "Who wants to be an empty-nest baby when we can go out and play with Mommy?"

Maeve's heart softened. "When we're there, Mommy will be busy studying and might not have much time to spend with you. I'll leave you at Uncle Loren's house. Is that okay?" The two little ones nodded even more happily.

"As long as I can be with Mommy, I'm okay with anything," Will murmured. Then, he seemed to reconsider. "I'm already this old, and I still want to cling to Mommy... Will Mommy think I'm not steady enough?"

However, someone beside him had no idea what "steady" meant. He hugged Maeve's arm, rubbing against it. His chubby little body, like a cotton ball, clung softly.

"Mommy, Mommy, I'm really good at taking pictures, and Will's excellent at cooking. If you take us, it's like having a personal chef and photographer! It's a great deal!" Maeve laughed. "That sounds great. Alright, I'll take you both."

The two little ones were overjoyed. Even Will, usually reserved, had a flushed face. Seeing their happiness, Maeve felt a pang of guilt. It seems I haven't spent enough time with them. Even just accompanying me to work makes them this happy! As for Byron...

Just then, Will asked, "Mom, is Dad coming?"

His round eyes were full of anticipation. He probably saw it as a family trip. Dad couldn't be absent.

Maeve hesitated. "I'll ask your dad, but he might not go." He'd been idle after his eye injury and recently had been constantly busy, almost unreachable. Or perhaps, he was deliberately avoiding her.

Will was a little disappointed. "Okay, it doesn't matter. If Dad doesn't go, we'll take good care of Mommy for Dad."

He was truly Byron's son, always mindful of his father.

Maeve ruffled his head. Hearing the faint click of the door across the hall unlocking, she stood and went out.

As soon as she left, Will looked at the recording pen in his hand, hesitating whether to give it to his father.

"What's this?" Theo reached for the recording pen and pressed the button. Hearing the voice, he exclaimed, "Will, when did you record this? You're so brave!"

Will blushed. "I recorded it secretly last time. I thought it might come in handy..."

"Do you want to play it for Stinky Daddy?"

"Yes, I've thought about it for a long time. I think Dad should hear it."

Theo's face puffed up. "Maybe not. Haven't you seen how cold he's been to Mommy lately? If I weren't so young, I'd definitely tell him off!"

"That's why he needs to hear it," Will insisted.

In the corridor, Maeve was a step behind, entering the password for the apartment opposite.

Byron took a bottle of water from the fridge, unscrewed the cap, and saw Maeve enter. His eyelids drooped slightly, pretending not to see her. Feeling his neglect, Maeve felt uncomfortable. Wanting to finish quickly, she didn't beat around the bush. "I'm going abroad for a work trip next week. I plan to take Will and Theo."

Byron drank half the bottle, recapped it, and casually asked, "Where?"

"Trazir headquarters in Erancia." Maeve looked at the potted plants. "I'll leave them in a trusted friend's care."

Hearing "Trazir," Byron frowned. "That Warren company?"

"Yes."

"Didn't I tell you to stay away from him?" His tone turned cold.

Maeve pursed her lips. "Mr. Richard isn't a bad person. Besides, I'm not going to play. I won't have time to interact with him."

"If you want trouble, I won't stop you. But don't take Will."

"What do you mean by 'trouble'?" Maeve snapped. "I'm telling you, not asking for your opinion. And I won't change my mind!"

Byron slammed the fridge door and looked at her mockingly. "Then why are you still here? Get out." Maeve felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her, chilling her to the bone. Embarrassment filled her eyes, choking her heart. Without a word, she turned and left.

In a brief second, Byron indifferently withdrew his gaze and walked towards the study.

The sight of Maeve locking herself in the room, red-eyed, frightened the two little ones. They hurried to comfort her.

Maeve suppressed her emotions, assuring them she was okay and asking them to go to bed. They heard the sob in her voice. How could they leave? They paced anxiously outside the door.

"It must be Dad who made Mommy angry!" Theo fumed, spinning around. "Mommy was fine before she went out!"

Will frowned worriedly. "I'll go ask Dad and give him the recording pen."

"Don't go!" Theo grabbed him. "He bullied Mommy, and you still want him to hear it? Dream on! Unless he apologizes to Mommy, none of us talk to him!"

Thinking of Mommy's sadness, Will compromised. "Alright."

The two little ones squatted outside the door until their legs were numb before going to bed.

The next day, Saturday, Maeve hadn't slept well and woke early with a headache and dizziness. She had to go to the studio to hand over work before her trip. There was no time to adjust her mood. The little ones were still asleep. She warmed breakfast, grabbed her bag, and left.

She was busy at the studio until late, finally finishing everything the night before her trip.

The apartment was quiet, making the sound of the unlocking door especially clear. Steady footsteps came from the entrance to the living room. Looking at the dark room, his breath hitched. He didn't turn on the lights, moving freely in the darkness. After leaving the empty children's room, he entered the master bedroom.