long after sat down, Maeve’s voice drifted out the kitchen. McDaniel, we’re out leeks the fridge. Could you grab some from the balcony?” Byron raised an eyebrow, puzzled. people’s balconies were covered with bright and decorative plants, but not Maeve’s. Hers was more like tiny vegetable farm, leeks, onions, and lettuce. the glass plant stand that had broken yesterday had been filled with veggie pots, not flowers. Byron stepped out taken aback the jungle green. To him, all the vegetables much the He his temples, feeling a bit lost. Which ones are leeks he his breath. “The scissors are on the shelf. cut a handful, not too much,” called from the kitchen. Byron pressed his lips into a thin line, grabbed the scissors, and snipped off a bunch of what were leeks. With a slight frown, he walked into the kitchen. Maeve at the in his hand, nearly speechless. are spring onions. shook her head in disbelief. can not difference between leeks and spring onions? how someone be basic stuff? she thought. brown eyes narrowed. didn’t exactly point out which ones were leeks. Maeve her lip and sighed. I’ll get them myself. But thanks trying” Fifteen minutes later, Maeve two bowls potato leek soup and dish of mac and cheese the table. The presentation basic, but it looked decent enough. “Go on, dig in,” said a smile as she took a across from Byron. Byron glanced at her before picking up his fork, smooth and practiced. But the moment he a bite, his, face slightly. taste this awful?’ thought, to that she actually believed she a good cook. The downright terrible, and even the mac and something that was supposed be a complete catastrophe. taste buds felt were under attack. He only two bites before setting his fork down and reaching for jacket. “I just remembered. I’ve got something urgent to of. Enjoy your meal” Maeve blinked, confused. “But you haven’t finished your soup. “I can’t stomach it right now. ” face was dark as he of the apartment, leaving Maeve to a laugh. She twirled some spaghetti around her fork took a satisfied grin spreading across her face. Well, that up any misunderstandings night,’ she thought, feeling bit smug After finishing breakfast, Maeve tidied up and got ready to head out. she checked her phone, which had been silent, she saw several calls from her parents. They must have found out she hadn’t her marriage with Jeff. Once made up her mind, she never looked back. she just had to figure to return the engagement gift the Graves or risk into savings. At the Maeve about start sorting through fashion sketches when her boss. Piers called into office you and had bit of a blowup. Piers said, to the point. that even had him hauled off the police station?” No Piers about it; he was with Jeff’s father, Wallace. shook her head. I things with him. was because he broke law. Piers looked genuinely surprised. as he met the in Maeve’s eyes, he realized this wasn’t just some heat-of- the-moment spat. twinge of unease crept Wallace had asked of him. Piers put on a reassuring smile. “Still, one night in the slammer is more than enough. Are you really to throw away your relationship something so trivial! You’ve planning a future together, shouldn’t you be focusing that?” “And besides,” he continued. “Jeff played a role in getting you this job. even me to cut you and keep your workload light. Piers wasn’t being harsh, but his words made cheeks flush embarrassment. The whole situation suddenly ridiculous to her. Before joining this company, Maeve had actually landed an offer from a top-tier design brand. Jeff, who constantly complained about hours at big firms and how much he hated being apart from her, had “accidentally replied to email declined the on her behalf. no other option, had to let go of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Thanks to his interference, Maeve up company-less work, but also less pay. To meet, she occasionally on illustration gigs. r and qualifications, she should have been leading design projects, yet she was to tasks. Over time, she began to doubt her abilities and considered quitting, but she never imagined Jeff had been manipulating things behind the scenes all along- Maeve took deep breath, fighting to her anger in check. on the brink of marriage, whether you stay at this job or not doesn’t really matter. if Jeff ends up with record, could affect your future children…” Robinson,” Maeve interrupted, her calm and firm. “I’ve ended things with Jeff. Yesterday, I registered my marriage with the man truly love. If it’s not too much could you pass that message along to him?”