Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 651 Gwen's POV My discharge took longer than | wanted. Ten days in the hospital. Ten days of tests, physical therapy, and doctors checking every last detail before they finally cleared me. But now | was leaving, for real. Nick helped me into the car with exaggerated care, like | might shatter with one wrong move. "I'm fine," | assured him for the tenth time. "You can relax." "You literally came out of a medically induced coma a few days ago," he shot back, reaching across to fasten my seatbelt himself.

"I'm going to keep being careful, thanks." | smiled despite the frustration simmering under my skin. | hated feeling fragile The drive back to the apartment was quiet and smooth. Nick drove slowly, avoiding potholes, keeping the conversation light. When we pulled up in front of the building, the doorman hurried over. "Miss Kensington!" he greeted me with a warm smile. "It's so ---- good to see you back. We were all worried." "Thank you, Carl," | said, genuinely touched We took the elevator upstairs. Nick still had a steady hand on my arm, as if | might collapse at any second.

apartment door, he paused before unlocking it. "Ready?" he asked. "To walk into my own home?" | let out a soft laugh. "I think so." He smiled, but there was something odd about it. He unlocked the door and pushed it open slowly. The second | stepped across the threshold- "Surprise!" The shout exploded from inside

Matthew raising a wineglass in salute. Mia and Dante arguing about something. Bella bouncing in place. Martina discreetly wiping away tears. Paula smiling softly. And then, to my complete shock and overwhelming emotion, my mother was sitting on the couch. Beside Grandpa Joseph. "Mom?" | managed, my voice catching. "Grandpa?" My mother was already on her feet,

know you were coming," | whispered against her shoulder. "Christian called," she explained, pulling back to cup my face, brushing her fingers gently over my cheek. "I took the first flight out." Grandpa approached more slowly, leaning on his elegant cane. "Gwen," he said in that raspy voice | had known my whole life. Always getting yourself into trouble, huh?" ---- But his