Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 683 Renee's POV That Monday, | parked two blocks from Bella's school and stayed in the car for a moment, studying my reflection in the window. The cut on my forehead was hidden under a discreet bandage. The bruises were covered by carefully chosen clothes. The rest was makeup and good lighting. The school secretary recognized me before | even said my name. Not warmly. Professionally. The look of someone who has seen wealthy fathers, angry mothers, and children stuck in between.

| showed my ID, signed the form, and offered a simple explanation about a "medical appointment" and needing to pick her up two classes early. Mother. That word opens doors. No one asked if her father knew. No one wanted to step into that territory. Schools prefer not to buy into family wars. And | knew exactly how to use that cowardice in my favor. Bella appeared at the classroom door with her backpack on, surprise written all over her face. "Mom?" she said, and for a second that was all it was.

A little girl ---- seeing her mother outside the routine, her heart jumping with a flicker of hope. | crouched to her level and opened my arms. "Hi, sweetheart. I'm stealing you today." She let out a short, slightly guilty laugh and came into my arms. On the way to the car, she glanced at me sideways, her eyes too observant fora child who supposedly didn't understand anything. "Why are you hurt, Mom?" | smiled like it was all mildly ridiculous. "It's nothing, honey. | fell." | waved it off. "A silly little fall.

But nothing gelato and skipping class can't fix, right?" Her eyes lit up immediately. "We're getting gelato?" "Yes. Your favorite place." She smiled fully, and | felt that quiet satisfaction that comes from measuring sweetness just right. We sat outside the gelato shop. | ordered a small cup for myself to look normal and a large one for her with two scoops. ---- She stared at her spoon for a moment, and the smile faded halfway through. "So... why are you so sad?" | asked gently, in that tone mothers use when they want to sound comforting but are really gathering information.

was too big for her mouth. "He had to go get Gwen. And then he spent the whole weekend doing adult stuff." Adult stuff | almost laughed "Oh," | said softly, as if something

tone. "She has to go to the doctor all the time. Blood tests. Ultrasounds. Sometimes she feels sick, needs special food, has to take vitamins, can't drink certain things, needs more rest... and then the dad has to handle everything." Ilisted it slowly. Real enough to feel inevitable.

"It is. And the baby isn't even here yet." Bella pressed her lips together. Her chin trembled just slightly. "But Dad promised he wouldn't forget me." ---- I et the silence stretch for one heartbeat. Long enough for a child to feel a promise wobble "And did he come back to play video games?" | asked softly. Bella shook her head. | gave her a sad, understanding

a problem without an exit. They need a door. | was the door. "You know what would be fun?" | said, brightening my voice like | had just come up with something exciting. "You and me playing video games." She blinked, confused. "|... [didn't know you played." "| can learn," | said simply, as if it were nothing. "You can teach me. We can play all the time." ---- Bella bit her lip. "And you know the best part?" | continued

tone children love. "Mother and daughter. No new baby. No pushy stepmother. Just us. Her eyes filled with tears. "| want Dad too," she whispered. I et out a soft sigh, like that broke my heart. "Lknow, sweetheart. | know you do." | reached across the table and

chose them. | let her arrive at that conclusion herself. Bella's breathing grew uneven. Her eyes shone. "So... $0 itll just be us?" | asked softly. "Would you want that?" She gripped her spoon like it was