The Heir's Secret Bride

It was only October, but the air in Kleymond was already crisp and cold.

Early in the morning, Maeve Reese was still curled up in bed, deep in sleep. Suddenly, her mother, Valda Reese, burst into the room, her voice slicing through the silence. "Maeve, come on! Stop lazing around. You've got to get ready-today's the big day. You and Jeff Graves are getting your marriage license. Don't make him wait!" The words "marriage license" hit Maeve like a bucket of ice water. She shot up in bed, hesitating for a moment before lowering her gaze. "Mom, I don't want to marry him," she mumbled.

"What the hell did you just say?" Valda's voice spiked with disbelief. "Are you out of your damn mind? Jeff comes from a rich family! Marrying him means you'll be set for life. Do you know how many people would kill for this chance, and you're saying you don't want it?" "He's screwing around with someone else. There's no way I'm marrying him," Maeve said firmly.

Just yesterday, she had gone to bring Jeff some hangover medicine, only to stumble upon a gut-wrenching truth. Peeking through a crack in the door, she had seen Jeff tangled up in bed with another woman.

The sight was a brutal wake-up call, shattering the illusions she'd held about him and making her realize just how little she really knew about him.

Maeve had first met Jeff at the hospital when her father was seriously ill and in desperate need of an expensive surgery the family couldn't afford. It was Jeff's father, Wallace Graves, who had stepped in to help, covering the costs and even offering Maeve's father a job at the Graves family company.

Out of gratitude for the Graves family's support and feeling crushed by the pressure from both sides to make a match, Maeve eventually gave in to Jeff's advances.

At first, Jeff seemed like the perfect guy-kind, attentive, and always looking out for Maeve. But as soon as she refused to take their relationship to a physical level, his attitude took a sharp turn.

Jeff became distant, dismissive, and often downright cruel. He'd call her in the middle of the night to bring him medicine or deliver booze, not giving a damn about her needs or feelings.

Over the past year, Maeve had been feeling more and more drained, both mentally and physically. In her relationship, she felt less like a girlfriend and more like an unpaid maid.

Last night, Maeve had cried softly under the covers, hoping that talking to Valda this morning would bring some comfort, maybe even a bit of understanding.

But instead, Valda's response was harsh and unyielding. "We've already blown through most of the engagement money from the Graves family. If you back out now, where the hell are we supposed to find the tens of thousands we need for your brother's tuition? "Have you ever thought about what this means for your dad and me? Do you expect us to sell our blood to cover the costs?"

Maeve stared at her in shock, thinking, 'I'm the one who's been wronged, and all she cares about is the damn money? I didn't even know they'd already received the Graves family's engagement gift!'

"Mom!" Maeve's frustration erupted, even more intense than the night before. "He cheated on me! How can you expect me to go through with this?"

"Stop with the excuses," Valda snapped. "Every man messes up. As long as he straightens out after the wedding, what's the big deal? Now hurry up and stop making Jeff wait!"

Valda couldn't care less about Maeve's pain. She wasn't about to let go of the money she already had her hands on. She dragged Maeve out of bed, rushed her through a quick wash and change, and practically shoved her out the door toward the city hall. Standing outside the city hall, surrounded by couples buzzing with excitement and anticipation, Maeve felt an overwhelming sense of despair. She should've known-no one in her family cared about her feelings.

Her entire life had been controlled by her parents: the schools she went to, the friends she had, and the career she chose. But today, she wasn't going to let them control her anymore-not when it meant marrying a man who treated her like a doormat. After twenty-three years of being the obedient daughter, Maeve suddenly had a bold idea. Before Jeff showed up, she'd find someone else to marry and put an end to her family's plans once and for all.

'But where the hell am I going to find someone to marry on such short notice?' she wondered.

Just then, a deep, chilling voice sliced through the air behind Maeve. "So, you're telling me it took you this long to figure out my fiancée ran off with a bodyguard?"

The words "fiancée" and "ran off" hit Maeve like a slap, forcing her to turn around.

A tall, impeccably dressed man stood under a nearby tree, his back partially turned as he spoke into his phone. He was devastatingly handsome, and his dark suit was tailored to perfection, exuding an air of commanding elegance. Even from several feet away, Maeve could feel the intense, almost palpable authority radiating off him.

A spark of hope flickered in Maeve's eyes as she quietly followed him.

His lips curled into a sardonic smile as he listened to the voice on the other end. "Don't bother looking," he said coolly. "Are there really no other women out there? Do I seriously have to settle for someone who's already run off with another man?" "But Mr. McDaniel, Mr. Gilbert Mcdaniel insists that you either find another suitable woman or just grab someone off the street. He's made it clear that no matter what, you're getting married today. Otherwise..." The voice on the other end hesitated. "He said he won't go on living..."

Byron McDaniel rubbed his temples in frustration, about to fire back when he suddenly felt a gentle tug on his sleeve.

He turned to see a woman standing there, her voice barely above a whisper. "Excuse me, sir," she said tentatively. "Since your bride has run off... would you consider marrying me instead?"

"I

Maeve popping up out of nowhere threw Byron for a loop. He'd been on the phone and didn't really catch what she said. Frowning, he asked, "Wait, what did you just say?" I asked if you'd think about marrying me," Maeve said, mustering up all courage. fact, this wasn't

In t

't her first run-in with Byron. Just last night, on her way to drop off hangover meds to Jeff, she'd walked by an alley and saw Byron getting chased and beaten up.

He was covered in blood, lying on the ground. Without a second thought, she jumped in to save him, and he'd also promised her a favor in return. Worried Byron might think she was nuts, she added, 'Actually, I saved your life last night. You remember?"

Byron paused, narrowing his eyes as a flicker of recognition crossed his face. "That was you?"

"Yup, that was me," she confirmed, letting out a quiet sigh of relief.

this is your big ask?" Byron's gaze turned icy as he studied Maeve's slightly flushed face.

He'd been puzzled why she didn't ask for anything that night, but now he figured it out-she must've figured out who he was, and realized marrying him was way better than a quick favor. Was all that kindness just a front? What a phony woman! At that thought, disdain flickered in his eyes as he looked at Macve, his expression turning distant. "Are you sure this is what you want?

Caught up in her own nerves, Maeve didn't notice the chill in his tone and quickly nodded. "Yes," said she. Looking at

at the worn and faded hem of his suit, Maeve figured he didn't have much going for him. And with what she'd seen, Last night, it was clear he was in deep trouble. She knew marrying a complete stranger, especially a guy like him, was a big gamble, but she was really at her wit's end. On the bright side, Byron was way better looking than Jeff. Just looking at him feels like a win, she thought. 'Marrying him doesn't seem like a loss at all. Byron's long silence started to make Maeve uneasy. Just when she thought about backing out, assuming he was going to turn her down, Byron finally lifted his chin with a cool shrug "Fine. Let's go," said he. With

With his

family pushing him to get married today, it felt like the right move; he needed to settle down anyway. At this point, any girl would do. Maeve, still a bit dazed, blinked and asked, "Where to?"

Byron shot her an impatient look. "Didn't you say you wanted to get married?" Without waiting for a reply, he turned and headed for the entrance of the city hall.

"Oh! Right!" Maeve scrambled to keep up.

Half an hour later, Maeve walked out of the city hall, clutching the newly issued marriage license, feeling like she was in a dlaze. She kept glancing at Byron's sharp profile beside her, barely able to believe any of this was real. This was, hands down, the wildest thing Maeve had ever done in her twenty-three years-marrying a complete stranger. As for Byron, he was as cold as ice and hadn't smiled once the whole time. Walking next to Byron, Maeve felt a weird mix of excitement and dread about what was coming next.

fort. She pu

pulled out a spare key to her

Now that they were officially married, she figured she should at least make some effort.

1/

"GB.

apartment and handed it to him.

"Here's the key to my place," she said, keeping it casual Pinehurst Apartments, mumber 1008. Move in whenever you're ready. And since you're hurt, if you need help with your stuff, just let me know. Byron narrowed his eyes. "So moving in is part of the deal now?

Maeve shrugged. "Look, I don't know why you didn't go to the hospital after getting hurt that badly. But now that we're married, I'll do i my best to keep things together. You don't have to do those dangerous jobs anymore." She hadn't been able to intervene before, but now that he was her husband, she wanted him to be safe.

Byron's expression darkened as he thought, 'Is she already trying to control me now? Since when do I need a woman to take care of me? What a joke!

"Let's get one thing straight, Byron said, his voice icy. Just because we're married doesn't mean you get to interfere in my life. You need to understand that."

Maeve flinched at his tone but nodded, a bit stunned. "Alright. Do you need help moving your things now?"

"No," Byron cut in sharply. "T've got plans. Without another word, he turned on his heel and started walking toward the street, barely sparing her a glance. He did, however, keep the key she'd given him.

Maeve felt there was something different about Byron compared to last night, but she couldn't quite pin it down. She decided not to dwell on it and hailed a cab.

As soon as she plopped down in the backseat, her phone buzzed. It was Jeff calling. After a quick second of hesitation, she hung up and blocked his number. or not was was his

She'd already said all she needed to in the message she sent before heading to city hall. Whether he read it or

issue

now.

With that settled, Maeve glanced down at the marriage certificate on her lap and smiled, feeling a wave of nerves mixed with relief wash over her. It's gonna be okay, she told herself.

Not long after Maeve left, a sleek black Maybach pulled up to the curb. A man stepped out from the front seat, moving quickly to open the back door. "Mr. McDaniel, please get in," he said with a respectful nod to Byron, who was still lingering by the roadside. Byron slid into the backseat, casually crossing his long legs. He looked pale and exhuasted-jumping back into his normal routine before he was fully healed was clearly wearing him down. "Call the Anthony," he ordered. "ed my wound checked and redressed."

Archer Bax, his assistant, replied smoothly, "Anthony's already on his way. And we've managed to throw Mr. Gilbert McDaniel's men off your trail-they still don't know you're hurt

If Gilbert found out about Byron's injuries, Gilbert wouldn't have rushed his grandson into marriage. But that would also mean that Byron's injuries would be laid bare for the rest of the McDaniels, putting him at a serious disadvantage. That was why Byron insisted on keeping it a secret from everyone else. Byron leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes for a quick moment of rest. He carelessly tossed the copy of the marriage license to the side, but it ended up slipping to the floor without anyone noticing.