Chapter 419

Maeve asked casually as he entered. Byron carried her and the children's luggage into the elevator. Hearing her question, he replied calmly, "I needed to go on a business trip, so I bought a few properties in various countries." He cited several properties of different sizes in Estan as an example. He was particular about his living arrangements and wasn't accustomed to hotels, so he simply bought houses wherever he traveled.

Maeve Reese was speechless. Buying a house in every country just to accommodate a business trip? The sheer cost was staggering; it was something ordinary people couldn't possibly do. The McDaniel Group was even more impressive than she had imagined. But she was only the daughter of a wanted criminal…

Maeve Reese lowered her gaze, hiding the sadness in her eyes. She wasn't usually one to feel insignificant, but lately, the gap between her and Byron McDaniel felt insurmountable. It was a chasm she couldn't bridge, no matter how hard she tried.

Lost in thought, she arrived on the third floor. The children were clinging to Maeve Reese, but Byron McDaniel scooped them up, instructing Maeve to relax before he took them to another room. The toddlers kicked their legs and whined, reaching for their mother. Who would want to sleep with their father? They wanted their mother!

Maeve Reese caught sight of her boss's dour expression and chuckled. She was curious to see what he would do with them. Someone had already tidied the room; it was spotless.

Maeve Reese packed her luggage, grabbed her pajamas, and went to the bathroom to bathe. Overwhelmed by the events of the evening, she felt a wave of sleepiness wash over her. She leaned against the bathtub and drifted off.

Suddenly, she felt an unwavering gaze. Maeve Reese’s eyes snapped open; she was wide awake the second she saw Byron McDaniel leaning against the shower glass.

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Maeve Reese hastily covered herself, glaring at the intruder. "Byron McDaniel, what is wrong with you?! Why did you barge in while I was showering?!" Byron McDaniel remained calm, unmoving. Seeing her struggle to cover herself and reach her clothes, she slid into the hot water, leaving only her head above the surface.

He chuckled softly. "What part of you haven't I seen? What's the big deal about being shy?"

"That's not the same!" Maeve Reese was furious. "If I barged in on you in the shower, how would you react?"

Byron McDaniel narrowed his eyes. "Could it be you got all hot and bothered when you helped me shower before?"

Maeve Reese's ears burned. She remembered their tumultuous bathroom encounter a month ago. She felt herself flush.

"...You just barged in to be a creep? Get out now, or I'll…"

"Or you'll what?" Byron smirked. "Maeve Reese, you still owe me an explanation."

Maeve Reese knew she'd have to explain, but she hadn't expected this. If she had known, she would have showered quickly and gone to bed. She would have made him wait all night.

Maeve Reese leaned closer to the edge of the tub. Even though they had been intimate before, she had always been reserved. She couldn't be direct with him now.

Byron McDaniel saw her attempt to cover herself but didn't point out its futility. He let her believe it was effective.

Maeve Reese lowered her gaze, then asked, "Remember that time I got drunk at the bar? After you brought me home, you said we shouldn't see each other for a while. I called and texted, but you never responded." Byron McDaniel hadn't forgotten. He'd thought Theo was her and Jaylen Chatterly's child. He'd been jealous and planned to give himself some space before confronting her.

Her words made something click for Byron McDaniel.

"Were you going to be honest with me then?"

"I thought you only liked Will and wouldn't accept Theo. Later, I tested you, and you didn't seem interested in him. I psyched myself up to be honest, but you didn't understand." Maeve Reese's eyes flashed with anger. "Then why didn't you mention it later?" Byron McDaniel's expression was complex.

Maeve Reese pressed her lips together, gripping the tub's edge. "Because I'm scared. Your distant attitude made me feel insecure. At first, I didn't want to tell you; later, I didn't dare."

She hadn't dared to say anything. Byron understood her fear, and his heart ached. He lowered his gaze, fixing his intense stare on her distraught face. Then he moved closer and crouched in front of her.

Maeve Reese looked up as he moved closer. She should have moved away, but she froze under his gaze.

His voice was low. "Maeve, I'm very angry."

Maeve was stunned. He should be. If it were her, she would be angry too.

"But it's not because you're hiding it," Byron McDaniel said again. "It's because I'm mad at myself."

"Wh…what?"

"I didn't make you trust me completely. I made you feel shaky and scared about these small things. That's all on me."

It was clear what had happened. Maeve's secrecy about Theo's identity and her fear of his discovery showed she didn't feel safe with him. She was afraid he would hurt her, hurt Theo. This wasn't physical hurt, but something else.

Byron was furious that he hadn't noticed her worry and panic after all that time with her. If not for the recording and the broken vase, would they have missed each other again?

Byron McDaniel's eyes darkened. Maeve Reese hadn't expected to feel so wronged about hiding Theo's identity, but for some reason, she did. He couldn't suppress his anger, no matter how hard he tried.

"It's my fault for keeping it from you so long. Theo's your son. You had a right to know." Maeve Reese's voice was raspy. "Plus…I was deliberately avoiding you. And since you blew me off before, I didn't tell you."

"Anything else?" Byron McDaniel's slightly trembling fingertips brushed her earlobe, softly cupping her cheek. He asked in a firm yet gentle voice. "What else are you keeping from me?"

Maeve Reese bit her lip, considering her answer. Her eyes welled up, thinking of all the hurtful things he'd done: neglecting her while she cared for him in the hospital, giving her the cold shoulder and a shower instead…

"If you don't want to get married, I don't care what people think. You don't have to make such a huge sacrifice. Anyway, you don't really want to marry me; it's bad for both of us."