If Byron thought about it. Will did seem a little different today way more energetic than usual. But that didn''t ease his suspicion on Serena. Seeing Theo crying so hard her face turned red made his heart clench. "Will, breathe slow. Don''t choke yourself, he soothed gently, wiping away the tears.


    Slowly, Theo''s sobs calmed down, and snuggled in Byron''s arms she whimpered, "She said Mom doesn''t want me anymore. And that you''re disappointed in me because I miss her."


    Serena''s face went pale as soon as Theo said it. Byron''s sharp eyes locked onto her. "Miss Malvis, you know how much Will misses his mom. Why would you say something like that and even try to mess things up between us?" "No, Mr. Mcdaniel, Will misunderstood me," Serena stammered, her hands sweating. "I only told him that his mom went off to find her own happiness and that he should be happy for her. didn''t expect him to take it the wrong way.


    "And as for you being disappointed, well, it''s because you once told me you didn''t like Will thinking about the woman who left him. I guess I misunderstood what you meant."


    Her excuse wasn''t perfect, but I was enough to sound reasonable.


    Byron''s expression didn''t soften, though. Still, out of respect for the fact that Serena had helped Will before, he decided not to push the matter further. "Miss Malvis, you can leave for now. No need toe back for the time being. I think going forward, we''ll need to record these sessions to avoid misunderstandings like this."


    Serena felt her heart sink. She knew Byron hadn''t fired her outright because of her past help with Will, but his distrust was clear. Getting close to Will again would be an uphill battle.


    "Understood," she said, keeping herposure as best she could Looking at Will in Byron''s arms, she added, "Will, I''m really sorry my words upset you. I don''t expect you to forgive me, but I just want you to feel better."Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    Theo twisted around in Byron''s arms, sticking his butt out at Serena like he was done with her for good. He wasn''t about to let her mess with Will anymore. Serena, sensing the tension, just said her goodbyes to Byron and headed out.


    ''Don''t pay any attention to her nonsense," Byron said gently, brushing his hand through Theo''s hair. "You know how much your Mommy loves you. You can''t just take what other people say as the truth; you''ve got to think for yourself." Theo sniffled and pouted, "But I''m only four and a half! I don''t want to deal with all that. I just want Mommy!"


    Byron recognized that tone-his son was being rebellious. He sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and empathy. "Alright, I''ll take you to see her tomorrow. How does that sound?"


    "I want Mommy now!" Theo cried, his little eyes watery. "It feels awful if I don''t see her! What if she runs away with someone else? You made her mad, and she kicked you out! Why should I stay here with you? It''s cold and miserable!" Byron''s heart sank at Theo''s words. ''What does he mean by making Maeve mad and getting kicked out? Wasn''t it Maeve who upset me?''


    "Alright, enough with the tears. What do you want?" Byron rubbed his temples, feeling a headacheing on. If Theo wasn''t his kid, he might have lost his patience by now.


    "I wanna see Mommy right now! If I don''t see her, I''ll just die! Theo threw a little tantrum, iling around in Byron''s arms.


    "Can this kid really not handle being away from his mom for even a day? Byron thought, shaking his head at the dramatic disy


    With a mix of frustration and helplessness, he carried Theo downstairs. "Butler, get the car ready," he ordered.


    Hearing that, Theo''s face lit up, and a cheeky grin appeared on his face. The painful pinch and little act were totally worth it if it meant he could get some roasted beef.


    Half an hourter, they arrived at the Retro Apartment. Byron rang the doorbell twice, and Maeve opened the door, her expression shifting from confusion to surprise when she saw them standing there. "You guys-" Byron''s face was all stone as he mudged Theo forward. "This kid been crying for you. I can''t get him to calm down. You handle it."


    Theo, who was leaning against his leg, didn''t think much of it at first, but after hearing what he said, she suddenly felt ashamed. Her small body stood there coyly, and the tips of her cars turned red.


    Maeve was shocked. It wasn''t because Theo, who never cried, was crying, but more about what had gone down at Byron''s ce


    "Hey, buddy, what''s wrong? Did someone hurt you?" she asked, squatting down to meet his gaze, her heart aching for him. "Don''t worry: just tell me, and Mommy will take care of it!


    She shot a re at Byron, and he couldn''t help butugh a little "You really think I hurt him?"


    "Even if you didn''t, you''re still responsible for him getting picked on in your own house!" Maeve fired back, leaving Byron a bit speechless.


    "Mommy. I''m hungry. I want food," Theo blurted out. Too shy to admit he was just putting on a show, he quickly changed the topic.


    Maeve didn''t push it. She led him inside, saying. "I made a ton of your favorite roasted beef tonight. Good thing you''re back, or we''d have leftovers for days."


    Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Byron slipping through the door too. She couldn''t help but ask, "Why are youing in?"


    He had clearly said he wanted to cut ties with her.


    Byron shot her an indifferent nce. "You said you can''t finish it so I figured I''d help lighten the load."


    Theo wanted to shout that he could handle it all by himself, but since Byron had done a good job tonight-especially sending that weird woman away-he kept quiet and let it go. When Will heard the sound, she quickly ducked into the room, avoiding the dining area altogether.


    Byron raised an eyebrow at the bowl and fork neatly ced on the table.


    Theo''s eating habits were starting to mirror Will''s more and more. He was bing picky, refusing bitter gourds and green peppers, even wanting to pick out the chopped carrots.


    Thinking about it made Byron nce at Theo, who was already at the table, munching away with a small poon. His eyebrows twitched. If it weren''t for the fact that Theo still looked like his usual self, Byron might have thought his son''s soul. had been swapped with someone else''s.


    "That can''t be right. Byron narrowed his eyes and shot Theo a cold stare. "Will, what did you just call Maeve?"


    "Mommy, Theo replied without missing a beat.


    "You used to call her ''mom, didn''t you?" Byron tapped his fingers on the table, his tone sharp.


    Maeve immediately caught on, and her heart skipped a beat. Byron was meticulous-he had even pick up on something as simple as how Theo addressed her.