Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 562 Gwen's POV "I'll come back to visit you," I said, wiping the tears from my face and trying to smile at Bella in a reassuring way. That was when I heard someone clear their throat behind us. I turned and saw Nick standing in the doorway. I had no idea how long he'd been there, how much of our conversation he'd overheard. He looked exhausted, dark circles under his eyes, his hair messy, like he'd run his hands through it over and over again. "Bella," he said gently, walking closer to the bed, "thank you for keeping an eye on Gwen while she slept.

You were a great helper." Bella lit up at the praise, smiling proudly. "But now I need to talk to her alone for a minute, okay?" Nick went on, holding out his hand to his daughter. "Why don't you go see if Nonna needs help in the kitchen?" "Okay, Daddy," Bella said, hopping off the bed. But before leaving, she turned back to me one last time. " You really will come back?" "I will," I promised. And this time, my voice sounded steadier. More convincing. Bella skipped out of the room, her teddy bear swinging in her hand, and Nick closed the door behind her.

The click of the latch felt louder than it should have in the silence that followed. He turned to face me, hands in his pockets, his posture tense. "Don't lie to her," he said, and there was a sharpness in his voice that hadn't been there before. "Please. Bella's already been through enough broken promises. She doesn't need another one added to the list." The accusation hit me like a slap, but I understood where it was coming from. He was protecting his daughter. That was his job. His responsibility. "It's not a lie," I replied, sitting up straighter in bed. "I really did get attached to her.

And Montelira isn't that far from Florentia on a normal day, without apocalyptic snowstorms. What, an hour and a half by car? I can come visit when I have time." I paused, then couldn't help smiling a little. "Besides," I added lightly, lifting an eyebrow, "are you kicking me out? Because if I remember correctly... and now I remember everything... I booked a full week. I still have a few paid days left." I saw the corner of Nick's mouth twitch upward, almost a smile. "I'm not kicking you out," he said, his voice softening a bit. "But your cousins... Mia and Dante...

okay with you neurologically." He hesitated, then added more quietly: "And... well, you must be missing your daughter too, right? I imagine you'd want to see her as soon as possible." I shook my head. "I made that up too," I admitted. "I don't have a daughter. I think when I saw Bella... I

in. "I'm sorry," he murmured. "It's okay," I said quickly. "It's not like I'm actually losing someone. She never existed to begin with." Even so, the memory of the positive pregnancy test tightened painfully in my throat. A heavy silence settled over the room. I could hear the wind outside, gentler now, and distant voices downstairs. Nick shifted his weight from one

do you have a boyfriend or something, and your brain just.... swapped his face for mine?" I shook my head immediately, denying it without hesitation. "No. There's no one waiting for me," I said, feeling my cheeks warm. "I just... you were carrying me in your arms and-" I stopped, realizing I was actually about to admit this out

attraction and turned it into something more... meaningful. It built an entire story around it. I covered my face with my hands, laughing but clearly trying to hide behind them. "God, this is so embarrassing," I groaned, my voice muffled by my palms. "I really went all in, didn't I? Practically threw myself at you multiple times. Called you my fiancé to anyone who would listen. Accepted your mother's ring with tears in my eyes. Jesus, I must've looked completely unhinged." I saw Nick turn his face toward

him. Because the truth was, I still found him incredibly attractive. My entire body still reacted to his presence in the room. I still remembered exactly what it had felt like to have his lips on mine, his hands gripping my waist, the weight of him over