Love at First Night: The Billionaire's First Love-Chapter 11: I can’t get married, I’m pregnant!

>Mallory

"I said, wake up!" I heard a shout.

The voice cut through the fog in my mind like a blade, dragging me upward from the heavy warmth of sleep.

Is it a dream?

My thoughts floated sluggishly, refusing to connect.

I don’t understand, but I’ve been sleeping a lot lately. My body felt like it was always tired and groggy. I hate it. I wanna sleep more. My limbs felt like sandbags, sinking deeper into the thin mattress as I tried to burrow my face into the pillow.

I gasped when a cold liquid splashed in my face. Ice-cold water dripped down my chin and into my collar as I jolted upright. The head maid stood over me, blocking the light, a deep scowl carved into her face.

Her eyes were glaring at me, and in her hand was a silver basin. She held it with a tight, almost triumphant grip, water still sliding down its rim.

"Madame told me to wake you up and get you dressed!" There is an annoyance in her voice that she never even bothered to hide.

"Why?!" I shot back.

My voice cracked, anger pushing me to my feet despite how heavy my body felt.

I can’t fight back if it’s Eleina or Mrs. Morrow since they rule the house, but if it’s a maid, I would never let them disrespect me. They know that. That’s why they don’t openly hit me; they just talk behind my back and treat me like shit, but it doesn’t matter.

I’m used to it.

My jaw clenched as I glared at her, wiping the water from my cheeks with the back of my shaking hand.

"Mr. Barrow will be coming today. He’s with the eldest daughter, so make sure you behave yourself! Madame told me If you embarrass them, you’re never gonna like the repercussions!" She smirked, throwing the basin onto the floor, which made such a loud noise that I flinched.

The metal clattered and rolled, echoing across the wooden floorboards. Her smirk widened at the sight of me jumping.

Embarrassed, huh? I sure will.

_____

We were seated in the drawing room. The air felt stiff, heavy, as if the walls themselves were staring at me. I sat upright with my hands tucked between my thighs, trying to keep myself steady. And beside me...

The man named Isaac Barrow.

"My wife is as beautiful as ever," he leaned to whisper in my ear, voice loud enough to be heard by anyone. His breath hit my skin like a damp cloth, reeking of cigarettes and something sour. I almost threw up.

He was a long-time business partner of the Morrow family and was a very successful businessman.

Still, Money can’t buy elegance.

His perfume was overwhelmingly strong, mixing with the lingering smell of smoke. Gold chains cluttered his neck, clinking every time he moved. Every one of his fingers was smothered in gold rings, and even one of his teeth gleamed gold when he grinned. He looked exactly like a well-fed gangster with his potbelly, except he had more wrinkles, gray hairs, and he smelled like an old man.

His arm hung behind the sofa, too close to my back. I stayed completely still, not wanting our skin to touch. But it didn’t matter — he grabbed my waist and pulled me closer without warning.

My body stiffened instantly. A cold panic stabbed through my chest.

I looked at Mrs. Morrow, my father, and the indifferent Allisha sitting at the other side. My eyes are begging for help. I felt like I was being strangled by invisible hands, and no one was there to help.

No. I don’t like this feeling.

Then his hand slid onto my thigh, and I nearly snapped. My fist tightened, ready to punch him, when Allisha shot me a cold warning glare. I went rigid instantly, my breath trapped in my lungs.

Allisha cleared her throat.

"Anyway, Mr. Barrow. What are your opinions about the wedding date?" she spoke, not sparing me a glance. Her lips curved into a smile-the one she used strictly for business.

"About that...I’m planning it to be a week after my wife’s death anniversary," he replied in his gruff voice.

"Oh? So a month from now?" Allisha clicked her tongue.

"Exactly." Mr. Barrow snapped his fingers as if Allisha had just hit the jackpot.

"That’s great, Mr. Barrow!" Mrs. Morrow’s smile was so wide it was almost tearing her face; her voice so cheerful, I almost laughed.

Was she really that excited to get rid of me? Pwe! I didn’t like you either. You and this entire family can rot for all I care.

"Come have a tea!" she said. Three maids walked in, carrying trays of teapots, cups, and snacks. They poured hot tea and placed cups in front of each of us before stepping out.

Mrs. Morrow lifted her cup, blew on the steam, and looked directly at me just as she took a sip. Her lips curled into a victorious smile. The kind of smile I couldn’t wait to wipe off her face.

I bit my lip, inhaled deeply, closed my eyes, and opened my mouth.

"I-I won’t proceed with the engagement." I blurted out.

The time seemed to stop when I opened my eyes. They all have this bewildered look on their faces, and before I can say anything else, Mrs. Morrow and Mr. Barrow burst into laughter.

"Silly child!"

Allisha just glared at me.

"You useless child! You think you have a choice about this?!" It was my father. I almost laugh. Yeah, I wouldn’t expect anything less from you.

You’ve always been silent, as if Allisha completely broke you one day, and when you speak, these are the only things that come out of your mouth.

That’s right. I saw it. When he tried to glance at my eldest sister before speaking up. What Allisha did to you to be obedient like that, I have no idea. And I don’t care either.

"Wife, you’re just flustered," Mr. Barrow said as he leaned toward me, puckering up for a kiss. I shoved him away hard, eyes burning.

"Don’t touch me!" I screamed. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"I can’t marry you! I’m PREGNANT!" I shouted. And then a slap landed on my face. I blinked up and saw Allisha standing before me, her hand still raised.

"What did you say?" Mr. Barrow’s face contorted into something that cannot be painted.

"I’m sorry. But I’m 3 weeks pregnant." I added. Mr. Barrow stood up in a fit of fury. When all of a sudden, Mrs. Morrow rushed to him instantly.

"Mr. Barrow, you don’t need to cancel the engagement! We can just abort the child!" she cried, gripping his arm.

I choked up, rage and fear welling up inside me as I clutched my stomach. No. I won’t let them. They have to kill me first.

"Abort! How dare this family wed me to a used woman!" he spat before pushing Mrs. Morrow and storming off.

"Pack your things and leave. I don’t need you in this family." Allesha’s voice is dark, her eyes still indifferent, as if they were looking down on me. Then, without sparing a glance, she walked off and chased Mr. Barrow.

I didn’t even have time to breathe when Mrs. Morrow lunged at me with a slap.

"Maids! Hold her! I’m gonna thoroughly discipline this whore!" she shouted. Anger laced her voice. Her face almost glowed red.

Then five maids came rushing towards me.

Terrified for my child, I curled instinctively on the ground, cradling my stomach. They could break my skull for all I cared — but they would not touch my baby.

Blow after blow landed, pain spreading across my body until I felt blood drip from my scalp.

"I knew you were useless! What did I expect from a daughter of a whore?!" she screamed, grabbing a porcelain jar. She raised it high, ready to bring it down on my head—

Suddenly, a maid burst into the room.

"Madame! Venzrich Archeval has arrived!"