My Billionaire Ex Beg For A Second Chance-Chapter 78: No Mother’s Help

Felix let out a deep, long-suffering sigh as he leaned back into the armchair, the soft fabric groaning faintly beneath him. Across from him, seated gracefully on the cream velvet couch like she was posing for a painting, was his mother—The Honorable Veronica M. Crawford—sipping her tea with such delicate elegance that he wouldn’t be surprised if even the tea felt honored to be chosen.

Her perfectly manicured pinky hovered in the air like a feather. Her back was straight, her pearl earrings catching the light every time she moved. Felix rubbed his face once, then exhaled again.

He hadn’t expected this.

All he wanted to do was check why Maya was taking so long in the hallway. He thought maybe she got distracted by the decorative vase again or forgot where the cinema room was. What he didn’t expect was to find her opening the door for his mother.

Just casually.

Like this was normal.

Thank god the twins are obedient. He glanced toward the staircase, where only minutes ago he’d sent Nathan and Maya with a gentle but firm, "Why don’t you two head upstairs and wait for me in my room for a bit, okay?" No questions asked. They just nodded and padded up the stairs like perfect little soldiers.

Bless them.

He shifted in his chair and narrowed his eyes slightly. "You didn’t tell me you were coming."

His mother dabbed the edge of her mouth with the napkin, then lifted a brow at him. "Should I have asked permission to visit my only son?"

Felix pinched the bridge of his nose. "Not permission. Telling me you’re coming isn’t the same as asking me, Mother."

"Hmm." She set her teacup down gently on the saucer with a soft clink, her lips curling into a thin smile. "So you’d have time to hide your secret children before I arrived?"

Felix choked. "Excuse me—what secret children?"

He pointed to the stairs with exaggerated flair, like he was presenting evidence in a courtroom. "Do you mean them? Nathan and Maya?"

Veronica nodded calmly, like she’d just proven a point. "Who else would I be talking about? Or... don’t tell me there’s another set of children you’re hiding somewhere, Felix. Should I check the closets?"

"Mother." He gave her a dry look. "They’re Katherine’s kids. My secretary, you know her. She’s out of town for convention and I offered to watch them for a few days."

"Ah," Veronica said, lips pursed thoughtfully. "So you’re telling me... Katherine, your secretary, has no family, no neighbors, no friends, and the only person she could leave her precious children with is you? Her boss?"

"She didn’t force me at gunpoint," Felix said with a groan, standing to grab his own cup of tea before pacing back to his seat. "I offered."

Veronica’s eyes glinted. "That close, are we?"

Felix turned his cup in his hands and tried not to look guilty. "We’ve worked together for years. We trust each other. It’s not strange to help someone you’re close to."

"Oh, I agree," she said sweetly, tilting her head. "It’s just... interesting. If you weren’t close to her, I doubt you’d be playing house with her children."

He gave her a look. "Are you done?"

"Not quite." Veronica leaned forward slightly, and Felix braced for impact. "Seeing you with children makes me wonder... when are you going to settle down?"

He nearly dropped his tea. "Oh no. Not this again."

"Why not?" She widened her eyes innocently, a glint of amusement beneath her lashes. "Is my son still not ready for commitment? Or has he not found the perfect woman yet? I can help, you know. Send me your updated ideal type and I’ll start the search immediately."

Felix covered his face with one hand. "Mother, please."

"I’m serious." Her eyes sparkled. "Tall? Short? Artistic? Quiet? Does she need to like cats? You know I have an excellent eye for these things."

He looked up from behind his fingers, deadpan. "I’m not so pathetic that I need my mother to conduct a wife hunt for me."

"Well then," she said, sipping her tea again. "Why aren’t you married yet?"

"I already found her." The words slipped out before he could stop them, quieter than he intended.

Veronica’s cup froze mid-air. "What did you say?"

Felix cleared his throat, pretending to study the edge of his saucer. "I said I already found her."

There was a long pause.

"...All I have to do now," he mumbled, "is get her to agree to marry me, somehow."

For a second, nothing happened.

Then his mother gasped like she’d been told the Queen was abdicating.

"Oh my god!" she cried, covering her mouth with both hands like she was trying not to squeal. "Felix Ricardo Crawford, you said the M-word! With actual intention!"

He held up both palms. "No. Stop. Do not start planning the wedding."

"But—!"

"No flower discussions. No guest lists. No venues." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Veronica clutched the cushion beside her like she needed support. "I’m going to faint."

"You’re not," he said dryly. "You’re going to get excited and book the cathedral."

"I need a name," she whispered, eyes wide with anticipation. "Just a first name. That’s all. You know I won’t rest until—"

Felix pointed a finger at her. "Don’t. You’ll scare her off."

But of course, his mother didn’t stop. She kept talking, her words tumbling over each other. Felix sat there, mortified, as she built an entire future for him.

He groaned and leaned back again, dragging a cushion over his face like it could block out the noise. "This is not how I pictured tonight."

She went quiet. And then, softly, "I’m so happy to hear that, Lix. Really."

He lowered the pillow. His mother’s smile had softened now, less teasing, more real.

"I always wanted you to find someone who made you blush like that," she added gently.

He looked down at the teacup in his hand. "She does."

Veronica stood and walked over to kiss the top of his head, just like she used to when he was a kid after a long piano lesson.

"I won’t plan the wedding," she said softly. "But I am proud of you."

Felix smiled, small but real. "Thanks, Mom."

Yeah.

All he had to do now was make Katherine accept him.

Then?

Then, they’d see how far this love could go.