Love at First Night: The Billionaire's First Love-Chapter 84: Fuck that contract

>Mallory

"Let’s get a divorce."

The words left my mouth evenly, but my body reacted before I could stop it. My throat tightened instantly, like something rough had scraped its way through. I swallowed, forcing the feeling down, even as my chest started to ache.

The office went quiet.

We were sitting on the sofa near the window, the low table in front of us already cleared.

The lunch containers I had brought earlier were stacked neatly to the side, wiped clean and packed away in the same manner as before. He had finished tidying them just moments ago, moving with the same calm focus he always had.

His hand stopped mid-motion.

Slowly, he straightened, resting his elbows on his knees. He didn’t look at me right away. His jaw tightened, lips pressing together, then twitching slightly as if he wanted to speak.

Nothing came out.

The silence stretched between us.

I couldn’t stay sitting.

I placed my hands on the sofa cushion and pushed myself up. The moment I stood, my legs shook, and I had to steady myself before I swayed. I couldn’t hesitate now. If I sat back down, I knew I wouldn’t be able to say another word.

There had to be someone else for him. Someone more fitting. Someone who could actually give him something in return.

This marriage never started the right way. If I hadn’t barged into that wedding, if his grandfather hadn’t stepped in and forced this arrangement, none of this would exist. He didn’t choose me. He accepted me because he was cornered.

I took a slow breath, trying to calm the pressure building in my chest. He still hadn’t spoken. That silence weighed on me more than anger ever could.

"I’ll be leaving now," I said, keeping my voice steady. "I’ll wait for your answer when you come back."

I reached for the lunch bag on the table. It was empty, folded flat, almost weightless in my hands.

Turning away from him felt harder than I expected.

I walked toward the office door, my steps sounding too loud against the floor. Each one felt heavy, like I was walking through resistance. I could feel his eyes on my back—sharp, focused, unmoving. My skin prickled, but I didn’t slow down.

I couldn’t.

My hand closed around the doorknob—

An arm wrapped tightly around my waist.

I gasped as I was pulled back, my back colliding with his chest. The sudden force knocked the air from my lungs. His other arm came around me, firm and unyielding, keeping me from pulling away.

His head dropped onto my shoulder.

"**** that happen," he muttered.

His voice was low, rough, the words muffled against my shoulder.

My body went cold.

For a moment, I couldn’t move. My heart slammed painfully against my ribs, and my hands tightened around the lunch bag without me realizing it.

"W-what?" I asked, my voice breaking despite my effort to stay calm.

The warmth of his breath brushed against my neck. His hold didn’t loosen, not even slightly.

"I said," he continued, lifting his head just enough, "I can’t let that happen."

I tried to turn around, twisting in his arms, but he tightened his grip. He shifted us both until my back was pressed against the door, his body blocking my escape.

There was barely any space between us.

Our faces were close. Close enough to feel each other’s breath.

I looked up at him, and my breath caught.

His eyes were dark, heavy with something I didn’t recognize right away. They looked strained, almost pained, like he was holding himself together by force.

I had never seen him look like this.

"What do you mean you can’t let that happen?" I asked, confusion tightening my voice.

"I mean exactly what I said," he replied. "I won’t let you divorce me."

There was no hesitation. No uncertainty.

I let out a slow breath, my thoughts spinning. None of this made sense. Why was he reacting like this?

I wasn’t useful to him. I only caused trouble. I depended on him for things I should have handled myself. He provided, adjusted, tolerated—and I gave him nothing in return.

And worse than that, I had started leaning on him.

The realization hit hard.

Somewhere along the way, I had grown used to his presence. To his quiet support. To knowing he would step in when things got difficult. The thought of him having another option—someone more suitable—felt like a sharp hit straight to my chest.

That wasn’t me.

If I stayed, I would lose myself. I would cling to him until there was nothing left of my pride.

"It’s not your decision," I muttered.

I lowered my head, staring at his chest instead of his face. I didn’t want him to see how weak I felt. I didn’t want to see that desperate look in his eyes again.

It wasn’t too late.

I could still leave. Pick up my son. Explain everything before he got attached. As for his treatment... I would find another way. I had to.

"It’s written clearly in the contract," I said quietly. "Either of us can ask for a divorce."

"Look at me."

His voice turned firm. Cold.

Before I could react, his fingers slipped under my chin and lifted my face. I had no choice but to meet his gaze.

"Look at me and say that," he said. "Say you never want to see me again."

My heart raced painfully. My stomach twisted so tightly it made me feel sick. I bit the inside of my lip, trying to keep my expression neutral.

But this marriage was fragile from the start.

If I let myself hold on—even a little—what would happen when he no longer needed me? When he found someone better? Someone with real value?

I knew myself too well. I would beg. I would sacrifice my dignity. I would break myself just to keep what I wanted.

"This is a contract marriage," I said, forcing my voice flat. "I’m ending it."

Each word felt heavier than the last.

"Please don’t make this harder for me, Mr. Archeval."

I pushed against his chest and slipped free from his arms. I reached for the doorknob again—

His hand slammed against the door beside my head.

The sharp sound made me flinch. He grabbed my arm and turned me around, pressing my back firmly against the door. His arms came down on either side of me, trapping me completely.

"Fuck that contract," he snapped.

Before I could react, his lips crashed into mine.

I froze.

The kiss was rough and desperate, leaving no room for hesitation. I tried to turn my head, pushing against his chest, but he didn’t give me time before pulling back.

His hand came up, gripping my face, his thumb pressing against my cheek.

"I don’t want to hear those words from you again," he said.

Why is he making this harder for me? I don’t want this.

I don’t want to feel this pulled, this shaken.

"Are you saying you won’t honor our contract?" I asked, glaring up at him. My hand came up to wipe my lips roughly, as if I could erase what just happened. My fingers trembled, but I clenched them into a fist right after. I had to stay strong—at least until I got out of this office.

He didn’t answer right away.

Instead, he stepped closer.

There was nowhere for me to retreat. My back was still pressed to the door, and before I could turn my head away, he leaned in until our foreheads touched. The contact was light, almost restrained, but it sent a rush of tension through my body.

"Why?" he murmured. His voice was low, steady, almost calm. "You think I can’t afford to pay the fee for breaching the contract?"

His breath brushed against my face as he spoke. I held my breath without meaning to, my chest tight.

Then his lips shifted closer to my ear.

"Oh," he continued quietly, "I nearly forgot." His voice dropped another level. "I had Noel add a clause."

I stiffened.

"Whoever breaches the contract," he said, leaning in until his mouth was right beside my ear, "will pay whatever the other party demands as compensation."

The warmth of his breath against my neck made my skin prickle. I hated how aware I suddenly was of every point where we were touching.

I swallowed and forced myself to speak before I lost my nerve.

"What if I asked for your company?" I said.

The words came out firm, stronger than I felt. I lifted my chin slightly, meeting his eyes. He had agreed to this marriage to protect that company, to stop his grandfather from handing it over to his brothers.

That was the one thing he wouldn’t give up.

I was sure this would make him step back.

"My company?" he repeated softly.

He paused.

For the first time, his body went still. His eyes searched my face, studying me closely, as if weighing something in his mind.

"That’s a huge compensation," he murmured, more to himself than to me. "I’d have a hard time giving that."

As he spoke, his hand moved.

It slid from my side to my waist, then lower, resting firmly on my hips. The touch wasn’t rough, but it was deliberate. My breath hitched despite myself, a strange tight feeling forming in my stomach.

"T-That’s right," I said quickly, trying to ignore the reaction of my body. "So we should end this now."

For a moment, he said nothing.

Then his hand tightened slightly, holding me in place as he leaned down. His lips brushed against my collarbone, once—then again. The kisses were slow and controlled, nothing rushed, but they made my skin feel too warm.

I froze, my hands pressing flat against his chest, unsure whether to push him away or hold myself steady. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

He stopped.

Slowly, he lifted his head.

His eyes met mine, dark and focused, searching my face as if he was waiting for something to break.

"I can do it," he said quietly.

My heart skipped.

"But," he continued, his voice calm and serious, "you’ll have to take care of me if that happens."