Half an hourter, at First Hospital.


    In the VIP room, Theoy in a hospital bed, his cheeks flushed with fever. Only his right hand peeked out from under the covers, connected to an IV drip. Will stood by, asionally wiping Theo''s sweat, concern etched on his face.


    "Mr. McDaniel, Mrs. McDaniel. Your son has a high fever due to a cold. As long as it breaks by tomorrow and doesn''te back, there shouldn''t be any major issues," the doctor said respectfully to Byron and Maeve. "We''re seeing a lot of children getting sick this time of year, so it''s important to keep them warm and encourage some light exercise."


    Byron paused for a moment, choosing not to correct the doctor''s misidentification.


    "Thank you, doctor," Maeve replied gratefully. "I''ll make sure to keep that in mind."


    "Not at all," the doctor said before he and the nurse stepped out. Maeve turned to look at Theo, who was still sound asleep, her brows furrowed in worry.


    "The doctor said it''s not serious. You don''t need to worry so much," Byron said gently. "Aren''t you going to inform his mother?"


    "I''ll wait until he''s feeling better. I don''t want to worry her," Maeve replied, feeling drained and reluctant to think about revealing the truth to Byron.


    Byron''s gaze lingered on her as if he were probing for something.


    The VIP room usually had dedicated staff, so Maeve didn''t have to worry much about Theo''s care. She was just concerned he might wake up feeling ufortable, so she often got up from the other bed to check on him.


    On her third trip, Byron ced a hand on her shoulder, his eyes serious. "Get some sleep. I''ll keep an eye on him, okay?"


    Reluctantly, Maevey back down under his intense gaze. "I''m just a little restless. Besides, the nurses are here, so he''ll be fine. You should get some rest, too."


    "Why are you restless?" Byron asked, lowering his head slightly, his handsome features shifting in the dim light. "You''re making people misunderstand things." "Misunderstand what?"


    "That this child is yours."


    A moment of silence hung in the air. Maeve instinctively turned and hugged Will, who was sleeping next to her. "You should get some sleep, too," she whispered.


    In the past, Maeve had thought that it wouldn''t matter if Byron didn''t ept Theo. Theo was her son, and she didn''t need Byron''s approval. But after tonight, her perspective had shifted. She realized that even without knowing Theo was his biological son, Byron cared for him deeply, and perhaps she had misjudged Byron all along.


    This newfound understanding stirred a longing in her heart for their family to be whole. Just wait a little longer. Once Theo gets better, I will tell him everything... with those thoughts swirling in her mind, Maeve finally sumbed to sleep, holding Will close.


    Byron gently tucked the nkets around both of them before returning his gaze to Theo''s bed. "Theo is Jaylen''s son. I shouldn''t care this much. But then again, Maeve is fond of this kid,'' he pondered.


    Maeve woke to find Byron gone the next morning. Will, however, was already awake, using a damp washcloth to wipe Theo''s face.


    "Good morning, Mom! Will said sweetly. "The doctor came to check on Theo, and he''s already feeling better. If he''s fine for another half-day, we can take him home. You can go wash up and grab some breakfast; I''ve got this covered." Maeve walked over and ruffled his hair. "You''re such a good little helper. Did you sleep wellst night?"


    Will shook his head. "At first, I didn''t, but I slept great after that." He had beenforted to wake up in his mother''s arms. There was something special about her warm embrace, different from his dad''s solid and strong hold. Maeve checked Theo''s forehead, relieved to find he was no longer burning up. She headed to wash up.


    When she returned, Theo was awake. "Mommy," he croaked, his usual lively voice now hoarse and raspy.


    Maeve rushed over, pulling Theo into her arms and gently patting his back. "Is your throat sore? Does your head hurt? How are you feeling?"


    Theo melted against her, sounding pitiful. "Mommy, I''ve realized something."


    ""What is it?"


    "My singing is poison," Theo replied weakly.


    Maeve and Will nearly burst intoughter.


    "While it''s good you know your limits, that''s not why you got sick. It was because you were running around in the cold after sweating at the yground, not because of your singing," Maeve exined. Will chimed in, "Theo, your singing isn''t bad enough for that!"


    Theo''s eyes sparkled with hope. "Then I''ll sing for you both once I''m better!"


    "I think your singing is better left in memory."


    "Will, you''re not being honest." Theo pouted, retorting.


    Will replied seriously, "Sometimes a white lie is a kindness."


    "Give me a few bucks, and I won''t sing for you."


    "Will I dor work?" Will bargained. ''How can he think of pocket money even when he''s sick?'' he thought.


    As Maeve listened to the yful banter, she couldn''t help but chuckle. In the end, Will had to part with a dor for some peace and quiet, while Theo used that 1 dor to get Will to wipe his face.


    ''That''s my boy. Try and barter with his


    brother, even when he isn''t feeling well,'' Maeve thought.


    Will had clearly let Theo take advantage of him too many times and was learning to negotiate. They were like two best buddies, one ready to fight and the other more than willing to take the punches. Meanwhile, Maeve, being the mom, was happily sitting on the sidelines, enjoying the show.


    As Will took a towel to the bathroom e show.


    more careful next time


    Theo snuggled closer to Maeve. "Mommy, am I making you worry? I promise to be


    so you won''t sad."


    -Maeve''s heart melted. She yfully swatted his bottom. "Just remember, you scared Mommy yesterday. And you''re not getting away without giving up your money."


    As soon as Theo heard about his money, he jolted up in rm and acted cute. "No way! I''ll be good!"


    "Nice tryd dol


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    "Mommy!" That cute, hoarse cry reached Byron as he approached the hospital room, causing him to pause mid-step. His gaze darkened as he entered, fixing his eyes on the scene.


    Theo usually called Maeve by her first name but there was one time he called her "Mommy." Though Maeve had exined that it was a cultural difference, Byron hadn''t fully believed it. Now, he couldn''t help but question everything. ''What is the rel