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?"