Chapter 1

Strong arms locked around me.

A round head pressed into my chest.

"Mommy! You're finally back!"

I leaned away, shoving at the tall man.

"Mr. Floyd, I'm not your mom! I'm here to apply for the maid job!"

It started two months ago.

I was handing out flyers in a mascot suit when a car with busted brakes came flying at me.

Right before impact, some invisible force knocked it off course.

I hit the ground, gasping, and got stuck with a system calling itself Fifi.

It gave me one job: win over this world's villain, Finley Floyd.

He had to avoid the male lead. He had to live a safe, peaceful life.

Do that, and I'd get an eight-million-dollar bonus.

I thought about the kids at Bright Haven Children's Home.

Then I clenched my teeth and said yes.

I spent two weeks stalking every job board until I finally found an opening as Finley's maid.

Outside the Floyd estate, I tugged awkwardly at my uniform.

"Fifi, are you sure about this? Who wears a maid outfit to a midnight interview?"

Fifi gave a confident nod.

[Totally. Every host before you dressed like this, and the male lead's affection went through the roof.]

A control panel popped up in front of me.

[Beginner bonus: Choose one affection category to double.]

The front door swung open.

A random puff of fluff floated into my face.

I sneezed.

[Host!]

My hand jerked.

I tapped "Mother."

[Congratulations. Villain's Mother Affection: 90%.]

Looking back, I could seriously cry.

Finley ignored every word I said.

Like a giant puppy, he buried his face in my neck, then sniffed his way down to my collarbone.

And here we went again.

This was the tenth time I'd told him I wasn't his mom.

But every time I did, his brain basically reset.

Meanwhile, he only got more attached.

He squeezed me so tight I could barely breathe.

Desperate, I yelled, "Fifi! Do something!"

[Host, affection purchases are nonrefundable. Just roll with it.]

Finley suddenly froze.

Then his voice lit up.

"You really are Mommy. Only Mommy calls me Fifi."

I froze.

A blurry image flashed through my mind—a man ducking his head, asking me to call him Fifi.

I shook it off.

So this was the hidden route.

Apparently, Fifi had been Finley's childhood nickname too.

With some effort, I wrapped my arms around the head pressed to my chest and tried one last time.

"Mr. Floyd, look at me. I'm twenty-four. I'm younger than you. How could I have a son your age?"

Finley finally lifted his head and studied my face.

Then he nodded, dead serious.

"Mommy, you still look so young."

Before I could answer, his eyes filled with tears.

"Mommy... don't you want me anymore?"

He took half a step back and gently clutched the hem of my shirt.

"Mommy, I've been good. You said we were playing hide-and-seek, and I couldn't look for you until I turned eighteen."

His voice cracked as he held back tears.

"But I was too dumb. I couldn't find you. Mommy... please don't leave me."