Love at First Night: The Billionaire's First Love-Chapter 80: It’s not like I miss him

>Mallory

I shook my head slowly. There was no reason to think about it.

He was busy. He said so himself. His work had always been demanding. People don’t become this rich without working that hard.

This was normal. It wasn’t like I had the right to miss him when I was the reason he kept overworking himself.

I’m not even his real wife.

The thought made my chest tighten. I pressed my lips together and swallowed before the feeling could rise any further.

I placed the fruit onto a plate, arranging the slices neatly. After that, I took a deep breath and straightened my back.

Stop thinking about him.

When I returned to the living room, Anne was already kneeling on the floor, helping my son clean up his blocks. She held out her hand, and he placed each piece into it carefully.

Sometimes their fingers brushed, and he would glance up at her before handing over the next block.

They worked well together.

"Snack time," I said, placing the plate on the table.

My son’s head snapped up. His eyes sparkled as he pushed himself off the floor and ran toward me, his steps light and uneven.

He climbed onto the couch beside me and began eating quietly. His feet swung back and forth above the floor as he chewed. Anne took a seat across from us, her hands resting on her lap, her posture finally relaxed.

For a brief moment, everything felt complete.

Then—just as suddenly—it didn’t.

The space beside me felt wrong.

I glanced at it without meaning to. My fingers curled slightly against the couch cushion. A tight feeling settled in my chest, light but uncomfortable, like something was missing.

I quickly looked away.

This is ridiculous. Spending just two weeks with him made me like this.

I let out a quiet sigh. Being this needy wasn’t like me at all.

My son shifted closer. His arm brushed against mine, warm and solid.

I reached over and gently fixed his hair, smoothing it down with my fingers. I paused, my hand resting there a moment longer than needed.

He looked up at me, his eyes studying my face.

I curved my lips into a small smile. "It’s nothing."

He watched me for a second longer, then leaned over and rested his head against my arm.

The tight feeling eased.

Anne stood up and brushed her hands on her apron. "I’ll prepare dinner early today," she said. "Would that be alright?"

"Yes, thank you."

She gave a light bow before walking toward the kitchen.

My son picked up his sketchbook and began drawing beside me. I watched his pencil move slowly across the page, his small brow furrowed in concentration.

I leaned back against the couch and closed my eyes for a second.

The empty feeling tried to return, but I pushed it away.

You can come to my office anytime if you feel lonely.

His voice echoed in my head.

I suddenly stood up.

My son flinched slightly and looked up at me, confused.

"Let’s go visit Daddy," I said.

His face brightened immediately. He grabbed my hand, his grip tight and excited.

...So it wasn’t just me missing him.

It was his fault for making me worry like this. If he forgot to eat because of work, I would never let him hear the end of it.

"Let’s get ready," I said, more to myself than anyone else. "I need to make sure he eats properly."

And I also needed updates about that drugging incident. Yes. That was the reason. Nothing else.

I didn’t prepare much. I pulled on a simple outfit from the dresser and tied my hair back. It was already close to dinner time—I couldn’t waste time.

"Anne, did you pack the lunch like I asked?" I called as I walked downstairs. Asher held my hand tightly, matching his steps to mine.

"Yes, Young Madam," she replied.

I told her not to call me that before, but I didn’t have time to lecture her this time.

She handed me a lunchbox wrapped neatly in a cloth. I took it, pressed my palm lightly against it, and nodded when I felt the warmth.

"I’ll be going now. Please watch the house."

With that, I headed for the door.

________

After parking the car, I stepped out and shut the door with my foot. The tall glass building stood quietly in front of me, people coming in and out through the wide entrance.

I adjusted Asher in my arms, shifting his weight so he could rest more comfortably against my shoulder. He wrapped one arm around my neck while the other played with the handle of the lunchbox.

I walked straight inside.

The lobby was bright and spacious. The sound of footsteps echoed softly against the polished floor. Employees passed by in neat suits, their eyes briefly flicking toward us before looking away.

I stopped at the information desk.

"Hello," I said. "I’m here to see your boss. Which floor is his office?"

The woman behind the desk slowly looked up. Her bright red lipstick stood out against her stiff expression as her brows pulled together.

"Boss?" she repeated. "Who exactly do you mean?"

"Venzrich Archeval," I replied, my tone steady.

She let out a tired sigh and turned to her computer. Her fingers tapped lazily against the keyboard as she stared at the screen.

"Do you have an appointment?" she asked without looking at me.

I paused.

For just a second, my mind went blank.

...Damn! I don’t.

"No," I said, then continued, "but you can call him and tell him I’m here. Or you can tell me which floor his office is on."

She finally looked up, annoyance clear on her face. With a sharp movement, she rolled her eyes.

"If you don’t have an appointment, then come back when you do."

Her tone was flat and dismissive.

I tightened my hold on the lunchbox, the handle pressing into my palm.

"Just call him," I said again, my voice firmer this time. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

She leaned back in her chair and slowly scanned me from head to toe. Her gaze lingered for a moment before she scoffed.

"And who are you supposed to be?"

I lifted my chin slightly and met her eyes.

"I’m his wife."

Her eyebrows shot up.

Then she burst out laughing, the sound loud and sharp enough to be heard by everyone in the quiet lobby.

"Pfft! If you’re his wife, then I’m his mother," she said, waving her hand dismissively. "Stop wasting our time."

I pressed my lips together, holding my emotions together not to make a scene.

"Young Madam?" I turned around to see a familiar face in front of me.