Chapter 36
Ray pattel Jarrell on the shoulder. “When she showed me the picture, she didn’t mention Byron at all. She said it was her brother’s injury and asked me a ton of questions about how to care for it. If she wasn’t interested in Byron, why would she be
so secretive?”
Byron’s expression shifted. He walked over to Ray and asked, his voice low and intense, “You’re serious about this?”
“Come on, why would I lie to you?” Ray waved his hand dismissively. “I’m not that bored to spin tales, alright?”
As a surgeon with a background in psychology, Ray had a knack for reading people, and Maeve’s clumsy cover–up only piqued his interest further.
Byron’s frown deepened with the confirmation. Maeve wasn’t tangled up with Neville after all. She had snapped a photo of his injury to get medical advice but had spun a yarn about it belag her brother who was hurt. It hit hirri–he’d completely misunderstood her from the get–go.
She had tried to explain then that she was concerned his injury wasn’t healing properly, but his anger had made him too deaf to hear her.
Byron let out a heavy sigh, his thoughts churning as the night outside grew darker.
The next morning. Maeve woke up in an unfamiliar bed, her hair a tangled mess and her eyes wide with confusion. Where am I? What happened?‘ she wondered, her heart racing as the fog of sleep slowly cleared.
The door to the lounge clicked open, and Byron entered, impeccably dressed in a dark suit. He looked every bit the part tall, dignified, with an air of authority.
Maeve opened her mouth to speak, but Byron cut her off. There are toiletries in the bathroom. Get ready quickly. We’re heading to the family court.”
“Why the family court?” she asked, bewildered.
Byron’s voice was flat. “To get a divorce.”
Memories of last night came rushing back. Maeve spotted the marriage license and birth certificate still on the bed, and het mind cleared instantly.
She’d been carrying those documents because she was thinking about divorce, but she hadn’t planned to actually ask Byron until her parents‘ situation was sorted out. However, after drinking last night, she’d blurted it all out. Now, it was too late to backtrack.
Maeve’s face went pale. Now, going through with the divorce would put her in a tough spot.
She stayed silent for a long time, and Byron’s lips curled slightly What’s the matter? Having second thoughts?”
“No. Just give me a minute” Maeve had no choice but to get out of bed and head to the bathroops to freshen up.
Half an hour later, Byron was driving them to the family court. Maeve’s emotions were in turmoil, and the weight of uncertainty pressed heavily on her.
After the divorce, her parents would likely pressure her into marrying Jeff, possibly even dragging her to the city hall against lier will.
But Byron had admitted last night that he disliked her. It was the first time anyone had been so blunt with her. Given his feelings, continuing the marriage seemed pointless. Ending it now felt like the right choice.
With that in mind, Maeve felt a surprising sense of relief. As they approached the family court, she turned to Byron. “Did
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Chapter 36
you bring all your documents?”
“Yeah,” Byron replied casually, pulling up to the court. “We’re here.” He glanced at Maeve.
“Alright, let’s go.” Maeve unbuckled her seatbelt and opened the far door without hesitation.
Byron’s hand rested on the steering wheel, pausing for a brief moment.
