Just as Maeve was starting to feel cornered, a knock on the door broke the tension. Archer walked in, looking calm as always. "Ms. Reese, is everything okay?"


    Maeve practically sighed in relief. "Archer, perfect timing. Could you please exin to her that Mr. Mcdaniel asked me toe here to grab some documents?" Archer immediately understood the situation. "Of course. That''s correct."


    He turned to the secretary, his expression firm but not unkind. "You know no one''s supposed to be in Mr. Mcdaniel''s office without approval. Why are you here instead of handling your duties outside?"


    It wasn''t Archer being harsh to impress Maeve, rules were rules, especially for the secretarial team. New hires were always briefed on these things, yet somehow this one had managed to miss the memo. He hadn''t expected this new hire to be so clueless.


    The secretary flushed, clearly embarrassed. "I-I''m sorry, Mr. Bax. I do know the rule, but I panicked when I saw someone I didn''t recognize in the office. I thought it might be something serious. I won''t do it again." Maeve jumped in before it got awkward. "It''s fine, really. She was just doing her job and being careful. Honestly, it''s a good thing to be alert."


    She couldn''t help but think back to the incident at the airport when she''d been scolded for mixing up cars. ''Yep, can''t really throw stones here!


    Archer gave a small nod of agreement. "As you wish, Ms. Reese." He turned back to the secretary. "You can return to your desk now."


    The girl mumbled a quick apology, nced briefly at Maeve, and hurried out.


    Maeve froze for a second, staring after her. Something about the girl seemed oddly familiar. Her tied-up ponytail, that small mole under her eye-it all clicked.


    she was the girl from Byron''s sketch.


    It wasn''t identical, of course. People change as they grow older. But the resemnce was uncanny, right down to the feeling the drawing gave off.


    "Ms. Reese," Archer interrupted her thoughts, his tone polite, "have you found the documents Mr. Mcdaniel needs?"


    Maeve snapped out of her thoughts when she heard Archer''s voice. She quickly nodded, holding the file. "Got it. I should head back to the hospital now. Thanks for the help."


    "No problem, let me walk you off," Archer said, his tone smooth as usual.


    They walked toward the elevator, but Maeve paused before they got there. "Archer, one quick thing. Do you know which university that new secretary graduated from?"


    Archer didn''t hesitate. "Her name''s Molly. She graduated from Kleymond University. She reced thest personal secretary after they leftst week. Her resume was a perfect fit, so she got the job." "I see."


    ''Kleymond University.... Maeve repeated, her mind racing. It was the same school Byron went to.


    ''Could she be... Byron''s first love? What if seeing her again changes something for him?''


    64%


    Maeve knew Byron had mentioned, ages ago, that he had feelings for that girl. It wasn''t a huge deal, but it stuck with her.


    Even after all these years, that first love always stays special. Time just adds this kind of nostalgic filter to it, and nothing couldpete.


    Maeve leaned against the cold elevator wall, feeling a little drained. The timing was just cruel.


    Just when she thought there was a glimmer of hope in this rtionship, it was like life was already about to take it away.


    By the time she got back to the hospital, she was still in a daze. Jason and Ryan had already gone to rest, leaving just Byron and Theo in the lounge.


    Theo''s voice cut through the quiet as he was bickering with Byron. "I''m still growing! Mommy says I need to eat a lot to get taller. Taking my chicken drumstick is taking away my height. If I end up shorter, it''s your fault!" Will, sitting next to him, nodded like it was the most logical thing he''d ever heard.


    Byron shot Theo a nce, his eyebrow raised. He eyed the little belly poking out from Theo''s cartoon t-shirt. "Look at that stomach. You sure you still need more to eat? No wonder your mommy''s hugging Will instead of you." Will quickly pushed his drumstick toward Theo with a grin. "You can have mine. Eat up and get taller."


    Theo snorted. "Some people are rich but can''t even share a chicken drumstick with their kid. Unlike Will, who''s generous, kind, and loyal!"


    It was a ssic move-one praising while the other took a jab. Theo was definitely pros at throwing shade.


    Byron gave Will a look, like he was thinking about calling him out. But Will, quick as ever, grabbed another drumstick and handed it to Byron. "Daddy, this one''s for you. Don''t steal Theo''s-he loves the crispy ones." Byron just stared at him, speechless. The kid had learned how to y the game.


    The clueless Theo, feeling like the luckiest younger brother ever, couldn''t help but feel proud.


    Maeve was holding back augh as she noticed it. Theo thought he was outsmarting Will, but Will was way ahead of him. And Byron? Straight-up snatching his kid''s drumstick like it was nothing.


    But then, Maeve''s smile slowly faded. As much as she loved the warmth of the moment, she couldn''t shake that feeling in her chest.


    It was like everything was perfect now, but she couldn''t help but wonder how long it wouldst. No one really knew where a rtionship would go, no matter how good things seemed.


    Byron gave Theo his drumstick back, just teasing him since he looked so cute guarding his food.


    Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Maeve, and for a second, he was about to smile. But then he saw the sadness on her face, and his expression froze. He couldn''t help wondering what was going on with her. He set his spoon down and stood up, walking over to her. Gently, he took the things from her hands. "What''s wrong?"


    Maeve blinked, snapping out of her thoughts. For a moment, she was caught off guard, staring at him. Then, she shook her head and forced a small smile. "It''s nothing. I''m just a little tired. I guess I zoned out for a second." "It''s my


    bad for not thinking ahead. I should''ve asked someone else to grab these things," Byron said, his voice low. "The


    nap with youter." room''s empty anyway. Eat your lunch first, and I''ll


    Maeve almost felt her eyes sting.


    She knew she was probably overthinking things, but she couldn''t help it. The thought crossed her mind that maybe hisThis belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    D


    0,64%


    kindness was just temporary, like Cindere''s magic, ready to vanish the moment something else caught his attention.


    It felt like her heart was being eaten up alive. But she couldn''t question him over something that hadn''t even happened yet, and she definitely couldn''t get petty or jealous. That would just make her look crazy. She pushed the bitter feeling down and tried to sound casual. "Alright, I heard there''s fried crispy chicken drumsticks. I''m definitely down for that."