The Heir's Secret Bride

Marrying me was that a mistake?' Maeve thought, feeling a sharp, painful knot tighten in her chest. The words cut deep, leaving a bitter sting in their wake, and a wave of anger surged through her. She couldn't hold back. "What the hell gives you the right to say that? Do you even know me?"

Just dealing with a nightmare she had only ever seen online was bad enough; now, confronted with Byron's doubts, Maeve felt a deep sense of injustice wash over her. Byron was about to respond when a series of violent bangs reverberated through the apartment, followed by Jeff's furious, accusatory voice.

"Maeve! You b***! I waited at city hall for half an hour, and here you are screwing around with another guy! If I hadn't checked the security footage. I wouldn't have known you dragged some random guy into your place! I know you're in there! Open the d***n door"" Jeff's voice was a frenzied roar, his rage so intense it practically seeped through the wood, each relentless pound punctuating his fury. Byron frowned and turned to look at Maeve. She was on the verge of tears, her eyes red and swollen from holding them back. He watched her closely, a flicker of realization crossing his face. So, she didn't put up t So, she didn

Maeve didn't didn't noticeNôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

the è camera? Maybe I got t this all wrong... he thought.

Byron's stare; she was too focused on the door that was now trembling under Jeff's violent assault. Her face had gone pale as she grappled with the situation. Outside, Jeff kept screaming, his voice a

hen he was pi***d or drunk. He could get violent over the smallest thing. With Byron hurt and just the two of us here, letting Jeff in could turn deadly, she thought, anxiety gripping her.

Jeff had never been the patient type, especiating mix of rage and bitterness. "You w**e! No wonder you've been playing coy, acting all high and mighty while sneaking around with some random guy behind my back! Think you can just not open the door? Fine!"

A loud, thunderous crash reverberated as something heavy slammed against the door, shaking the walls. Several more brutal hits followed, and then, with a final shattering impact, the door splintered and crashed inward.

Maeve instinctively jumped back, bumping into Byron. Remembering their earlier argument, she quickly pulled away, but his large hand shot out, catching her and pulling her behind him

His voice was calm but steely as he commanded, "Stay back."

Maeve froze for a moment, her heart racing, and by the time she snapped out of it, Jeff had already barged into the apartment.

Clutching a metal rod, his face twisted with fury, Jeff's eyes burned with venom as he spat on the floor. "You filthy cheaters! Did you really think a locked door would keep me out?"

Maeve's expression hardened. "Jeff, you're the one who cheated arst. I already told you it's over. Who I'm with now is none of your f****g business-

"Shut the f****k up" Jeff bellowed, his rage boiling over. "I'll deal with this a***le first, then I'll take care of you, you s**t!"

He swung the metal rod with a vicious force, aiming straight for Byron's head, the kind of blow that could cause serious damage or worse, kill.

Maeve's face turned as white as a sheet, her heart pounding with fear. She barely managed to shout, "Mr. McDaniel, watch

GB.

out!"

Π

Just as the rod came hurtling down, a powerful hand shot out, stopping it mid-swing. Byron stood there, unfazed, his eyes cold and filled with contempt as he stared Jeff down. His arm muscles tightened, strong and defined, as he gripped the rod as if it weighed nothing. In one swift motion, he twisted his body and grabbed Jeff's arm, yanking it backward with a quick, brutal snap. The sickening crunch of bone filled the room, followed by Jeff's piercing scream.

But Byron wasn't done. His leg shot out, delivering a vicious kick to Jeff's chest. The blow was brutal; the sharp crack of ribs echoed in the air. Jeff didn't even have time to groan before he collapsed to the floor, unconscious.

Byron's movements, however, reopened his wounds. He grimaceel, his face growing visibly paler.

Maeve noticed right away and rushed over to him, not sparing a glance for Jeff, who lay motionless on the floor. "Did you tear your wound open? Do we need to get to a hospital?"

"Tm fine." "Byron grunted, but his eyes unintentionally flicked to Maeve's cleavage peeking out from her nightgown before he quickly shifted his focus back to Jeff. "What are we supposed to do with this piece of trash? His voice was cold and dismissive, as if Jeff were nothing more than garbage waiting to be tossed out.

Maeve felt a small, unexpected smile tug at her lips, but it faded as she looked around at the broken door and the wreckage in her living room.

She shuddered at the thought of what might have happened if Byron hadn't shown up. The idea of being watched by Jeff every single day made her skin crawl and her stomach churn.

I

Thank God ver married him, she thought, biting her lip, trying to steady herself.

Maeve blinked,

I herself again, she noticed Byron on the phone, calm and collected as he spoke. "Yeah, get it done and bring it over. Fast."

When Maeve y dyguards arrived. They quickly took photos, collected evidence, and dragged Jeff off to the police station. They also grabbed the hidden camera and the metal rod-key pieces of evidence.

Ten minutes later,

Not long after the bodyguards left, a team of workers showed up to install a new door. They worked efficiently for about half an hour, and soon, the door was securely in place.

Marve, grateful for their hard work, wanted to offer them something to drink, but before she could say a word, they were already gone, leaving her with nothing to do but abandon the thought. She looked at the brand-new door and smiled. This door looks pretty solid. It shouldn't break so easily next time, right?"

Byron, having just finished checking the lock, raised an eyebrow at her. "Didn't they tell you? This door is made from the same material they use for safes. It'd take a bomb to get through it." Maeve's jaw dropped. "Isn't that a bit much for a little apartment like mine?"

My tiny, cheap apartment getting the same treatment as a bank vault? That's just nuts,' she thought.

Byron let out a low chuckle, but then his face suddenly went pale, and beads of sweat started forming on his forehead.