Chapter 479

Byron walked into the guest room and closed the door. Maeve stared at the closed door, dazed. It felt as if another door was closing on her. She was at a loss.

She thought, Did I say something wrong? But why could he treat his first love gently, yet not allow her to keep anything from the past? Her tear glands seemed to malfunction; she cried for no reason. Compared to his attitude toward Molly, did her nonexistent crush even deserve his anger?

Maeve couldn't understand. Her heart felt heavy, as if bloated with sour water, leaving her unable to recover. She took out the piece of paper she'd been holding in her sleeve. She almost threw it away, but then tucked it back into her romance novel. She'd roughly confirmed the writer was her high school crush. She'd wanted to get into Kleymond University because of him; she'd even chased him from Greenhaven to Kleymond. Ultimately, her dream was shattered by the Reese family, and after a fever, she'd chosen to forget. That was it.

Maeve touched her still-warm eyes and pursed her red lips. She thought, I have no related memories, yet I still cry seeing that paper. Did I like him? Perhaps Byron didn't mind these things but mistakenly thought she still liked him. If she were in his shoes, Byron's attitude toward Molly would seem only slightly better, but she'd be furious. If he cried for her… she'd be even angrier.

Having figured this out, Maeve stood to knock on the guest room door. But remembering how unpleasant things had been, she decided Byron might not listen. Dejectedly, she returned to her room, holding the paper, and fell asleep.

Late at night, the door opened. Byron walked in, his face cold. Seeing Maeve asleep, he went to the cloakroom. He returned with his change of clothes. Passing the bed, he pulled a blanket over her. His expression remained cold. Maeve stirred, making a muffled sound.

Byron's arm froze. He regretted covering her. His anger seemed insignificant now.

Maeve didn't wake. She turned over and continued to sleep, murmuring, "Wait for me… wait for me to get into Kleymond University…"

Byron frowned, noticing the note in her hand. He took it. His handsome face darkened; gloom filled his narrow eyes. Faint green veins showed on the back of his hand, tense and restrained.

Expressionless, Byron released the note, covered Maeve again, and adjusted the air conditioner to maximum heat. After leaving, Maeve woke, not from the heat, but from shock.

She’d dreamed of the boy who'd urged her to study hard and get into Kleymond University, a boy with Byron's face. He'd even scolded her for not studying and dating. The shock was comparable to being caught by her parents.

Wiping sweat from her neck, Maeve looked around, confused. Air conditioner malfunction? She couldn't find the remote; it was too late to call a repairman, so she went to her children's room. The man in the guest room simply said, "Heh."

The next morning, Byron left early, and Maeve couldn't stop him. Worse, the missing remote was beside her pillow.

Low-spirited, Maeve entered the dining room, greeting her children in matching school uniforms. Seeing her Islaton Private International Kindergarten designs, her mood lifted.

"Good boys. The uniforms look handsome," Maeve praised.

"Mommy, it's because you designed them well. Everyone at school likes them," Will said proudly.

Theo nodded, adding arrogantly, "But our handsomeness boosts the uniform from 100 to 120 points. The teacher asked us to film a publicity video."

"Wasn't the teacher surprised you're twins?" Maeve asked curiously.

"He always knew. He just pretended not to, thinking our parents were divorced and our family complicated," Theo said.

Maeve was silent. She'd thought Theo's hat would deceive everyone. Of course, the teacher saw them daily.

Will offered Maeve a sandwich. "Mom, there's a family field trip next Friday, and we need to write an essay. Are you and Dad free?"

Maeve nodded. "I should be. Your father… I'll ask him."

"Mommy, leave the Great Demon King at home. Let's go out ourselves," Theo said, isolating Byron. "You went to the amusement park with him last night, so it's your turn with us."

Maeve was shocked. "Didn't you go to bed early? How did you know?"

Will held his milk. "He was waiting by the window last night and saw the amusement park balloon in your hand, Mom." He seemed lonely and resentful.

Maeve was silent, then pinched Theo's shoulder. "I'm sorry, darling. What do you want? Lollipop or cupcake?"

Theo snorted. "Two small cakes."

"Alright, alright! Two it is!"

Theo happily licked the milk from his mustache.

After the boys left for school, Maeve sent Theo's new medicinal cuisine recipe to Duke Connor Elliott. After discussing his wife's condition, they chatted before hanging up. Looking at her notebook, she felt a headache coming on. She wouldn't have let Byron open her package if she'd known.

Feeling choked up, she put the notebook away and rolled up her sleeves to garden. She planted vegetables, trees, and medicinal herbs. Theo had complained about ineffective, expensive medicinal herbs, a hassle to buy in bulk. Will was taking medicine; the herbs couldn't be stopped. So, Maeve wanted to grow them herself.

By noon, she'd planted everything. Though tired, she was in a better mood. As she watered, she heard a surprised voice, "Ms. Reese, what are you doing here?"