>Mallory
"Here you go. Your marriage license and your copy of the contract."
Noel spoke as he slid a folder across the dining table. The papers inside shifted slightly, and right on top was our marriage license. The official seal was pressed cleanly against the corner, making the whole thing feel heavier than it actually was.
I took the folder with both hands and gently lifted the top page. My eyes scanned through the details—our full nas, our signatures, the date, the empty space where my mind still hadn’t caught up. After checking them twice, I lifted my gaze toward Venzrich.
He wasn’t paying attention to us at all. He held a docunt in his left hand and was reading through it with full concentration. He wore thin glasses that honestly made him look better than he had any right to. His navy-blue long sleeve shirt was simple, sleeves rolled up neatly to his elbows, and he had that quietly put-together look that made everyone else seem ssy. Not even a glance in our direction.
I turned back to Noel. His under-eye bags were even darker than last ti, like they had deepened overnight. "Noel... I don’t want to say this, but maybe you should actually sleep. You look like you’re about to collapse."
Not that giving him advice mattered, considering the man responsible for his condition sat two feet away—glowing like he slept twelve hours and moisturized.
Noel chuckled weakly. "Don’t worry about , Young Madam. It’s nothing new. Even if the Young Master is extrely efficient, the work piles up really fast whenever he takes even half a day off."
I blinked. Does that an...?
"Him?" I pointed at Venzrich, who looked like he just stepped out of a relaxing shower, looking refreshed and untouched by stress.
Noel rubbed the back of his neck, looking uncomfortable. "Yes."
That man? Overworked?
"What?"
Venzrich finally lifted his eyes, brows knitting together when he caught us staring at him like criminals caught in the act.
"Nothing," Noel and I said instantly.
He looked between us for a second before sighing and going right back to his docunt. "Indulge yourselves in more useful conversation," he muttered.
My vein twitched. If you didn’t look like soone who goes beyond human reason, we wouldn’t be looking right now.
But of course, I couldn’t say that.
"Mr. Castillo, we’re done."
One of the n assisting with the move approached.
Noel stood up right away. "I see. That should be the last of the Young Master’s things. I’ll get going now." He addressed Venzrich.
Venzrich didn’t even look up—just waved him off.
They ca because today was the official day he would be living with us. Though, thankfully, in a separate bedroom. If we had to sleep in the sa room, I think I’d combust from awkwardness alone.
"I’m going to fetch my son upstairs," I said.
He gave a small nod, eyes glued to the paper. I guess there’s a reason he was one of the most successful businessman giving how workaholic he is.
But that doesn’t concern .
I walked quickly up the stairs to Asher’s room. He was sitting on the floor with a coloring book spread open, crayons scattered everywhere. I told him earlier that so strangers would be in the house today, and he had imdiately chosen to hide in his room until they were gone.
"Hey, baby! People are gone!" I announced with a smile.
Asher instantly perked up. His crayons clattered onto the floor as he jumped to his feet and ran to with his little arms spread out.
"Want to play in the living room?" I asked.
He nodded excitedly and slipped his small hand into mine.
We went downstairs together. A cleaner ca once a day, so the house was always tidy, and I only had to worry about cooking. It was pretty convenient, and honestly, it was a relief. I’d been doing everything alone before, and the exhaustion always hit hard.
"Careful!" I yelled when Asher sprinted toward the giant toy house in the corner—the oversized thing Venzrich had bought without hesitation. It was big enough for a child to sit inside comfortably. Only rich people buy that kind of stuff on a whim. It’s too big. Too expensive and honestly too much.
He kept buying things. And I still couldn’t think of anything to do in return.
"Anyway..."
Venzrich spoke suddenly, lifting his eyes only a little, like acknowledging required effort. "Are any of you allergic to cats?"
My fingers twitched. A cold feeling crawled up my stomach.
Cats.
My fingers tightened. A cold, unpleasant feeling crawled up my stomach. A blurry mory flashed—my small hands, my younger self crying, screaming a white cat, blood—
My chest squeezed. My balance faltered. I grabbed the sofa.
"Is there a problem?"
His voice wasn’t sharp this ti. There was a faint hesitation in it.
I shook my head. I forced a smile even though my palms were cold. I couldn’t let an old mory decide everything. I couldn’t refuse soone else’s comfort because of sothing I should have forgotten by now.
"I just got dizzy," I lied. "We’re fine with cats. Do you... have one?"
"Y-yeah," he answered, clearing his throat. "She’s important to . I don’t trust just anyone to take care of her."
I let out a soft breath. At least he asked first. I appreciated that. I could deal with my fear sohow.
"Oh, Noel will take you to the hospital tomorrow," he said, already looking back at his docunt. "I’ll be busy."
"That’s fine. I’ll drive."
He didn’t respond after that.
---
"Please wait here while we call for Dr. Blakes," the nurse said as she opened the door to the children’s play area.
I nodded. As soon as we stepped inside, Asher slipped out of my hand and rushed toward the toys. The room was colorful and full of little chairs, blocks, and drawings pinned on the walls. A couple of kids were already playing.
Asher stopped two steps in.
"Hey! What’s your na?" one kid asked.
"Why aren’t you talking?" another leaned close.
"Are you deaf?" a third asked loudly.
"Hey! Be my friend!"
"Wanna see my toy?"
Multiple small voices surrounded him. They were just kids, but it was still too much. Too close and too sudden for his condition. I almost forgot because he looked comfortable around the house. No way–
Asher’s shoulders stiffened. His hands slowly rose toward his ears. His eyes widened in panic.
"Asher—" I stepped forward.
He scread.
A piercing, terrified scream that stabbed through the whole room. Nurses turned their heads. Parents gasped. Asher clamped his hands over his ears and bolted out the door.
"Asher!" I ran after him. He ran fast—far too fast for such small legs. He dodged around people, almost crashing into a cart. People moved aside, startled. I tried to catch up, but he kept slipping forward like he couldn’t even hear .
Then my legs froze.
Asher wasn’t running anymore.
Soone was holding his hand.
Soone I did NOT expect to see. Not here. Not anywhere near my son.
My stomach dropped so fast it hurt.
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING HERE?" I yelled, my voice shaking as the words ripped out of my throat.
"Alisha."
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