Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 663 Renee's POV | squeezed her hand gently. Like | was protecting her. Like | had just said something painful purely out of love. And then | let the truth do the rest. Bella stared at her slice of pizza like it had suddenly become heavier. "But she likes me," she insisted, clinging to that certainty. | smiled, warm and maternal. And then | did the most dangerous thing of all. | agreed before twisting. "| think she does," | said softly, brushing my thumb over her hand. "But... people are complicated.

Sometimes they care about you and still want something that's only theirs." Bella blinked. "Only theirs?" ---- "A 'perfect' family," | said casually. "You know... daddy, mommy, baby. No mess. No past. No reminders that there was a life before." | watched her go very still. And then | softened immediately, like | regretted saying too much. "I'm not saying that's what's going to happen," | lied smoothly. "I just... | notice things. Because you're my daughter." She swallowed "Like what?" lowered my eyes briefly, as if it were hard to admit.

"Have you noticed how when adults really want something, they start saying things like, 'You're a big girl now'?" | asked gently. " You understand. 'You can handle it.' 'You can stay by yourself for a little while. Bella's lower lip trembled. "| hate when they say that," she whispered, and suddenly she sounded small again. "Lhated it too," | replied quickly, and that much was true enough ---- to sound honest. "And when there's a baby... it happens a lot." Iet silence stretch again. "Babies cry," | continued softly. "Babies need to be held. Babies need attention.

pizza down. "But..." Her breathing quickened. "But Daddy is going to like the baby more?" | tilted my head, sympathy carefully arranged across my face. "| don't know, sweetheart." | squeezed her hands. "| know your father loves you. | do. But love doesn't stop people from making mistakes when they're tired. Or busy. Or enchanted by something new." Something new. | said it lightly, like | hadn't meant to. Her chin started to shake "He's going to forget me." "No, no-" | moved quickly, holding her hands tighter. "Look

---- Tears spilled down her face, hot and angry. "| want it to be just me and Daddy." | nodded, like that was reasonable. Like it was possible. "| know, baby. | know." And then | placed the anchor. "And if you ever feel like you don't fit anymore... you call me. You come

little bag of candy "to take home." | wanted her walking back into that apartment carrying something that was mine. Amark. A reminder. When the sun had begun to lower, | drove her back. | saw Nick standing at the door, like he'd been waiting too long. He smiled when he saw Bella. "Hey, princess... did you have fun?" ---- Bella ran inside, and for a split second | thought she was going to throw herself into his arms like usual. She didn't. Her body was stiff. Twisted energy. She was holding the new stuffed animal

"Bella... what happened? Sweetheart, calm down. What's wrong?" She pointed at him, her finger trembling like she was an adult delivering an accusation. "You're going to leave me!" she shouted, her voice thin and unsteady. "You and Gwen!" Nick stepped toward her slowly, hands raised slightly, like he was approaching a frightened animal "Bella... baby... I'm not-" "You are!" she cut him off, a sob breaking through. "Because there's going to be a baby! A brand

like it had betrayed her. "You're going to hold the baby and forget about me!" she cried. " And Gwen is going to love the baby more than me! Because the baby is hers! I'm not hers!" The color drained from Nick's face. | watched from the doorway with a calm that almost felt affectionate. | could have pretended to be shocked. Could have pressed my hand to my chest like