Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 517 Six Months Later, Madeline's POV I looked at myself in the mirror and almost laughed. There I was, in white again. A long, delicate dress- simple but elegant. My hair pulled into a loose bun, a few strands intentionally falling free. Soft, natural makeup. And a smile I couldn't hold back, no matter how hard I tried to look serious. "I honestly can't even remember how many times I've put on a wedding dress," I said out loud, shaking my head. The room burst into laughter. Zoey was sprawled across the couch. Annie sat on the floor checking the shoes I'd be wearing.

Gwen was adjusting my veil with the focus of a professional stylist. Mia was on her phone, probably coordinating something downstairs for the ceremony. And Olivia... Olivia was standing beside me, watching my reflection with that warm, knowing smile of hers. "But this one," Olivia said softly, her voice full of emotion, "this is the happiest one?" I turned to look at her directly, not through the mirror, and felt my throat tighten. "Without a doubt," I answered, more emotional than I meant to sound. "And if I had to marry Marcus a thousand more times, every single one would be the happiest.

Because this time... this time it's real. This time it's our choice. Our family. Our life." "Oh stop," Zoey complained, carefully dabbing her eyes so she wouldn't ruin her makeup. "You're going to make me cry and mess everything up!" "You always cry at weddings," Annie said, tossing one of the shoes at her playfully. "Remember mine? You sobbed so loud during the vows that Christian had to hand you a tissue." "That is a lie!" Zoey protested, laughing. "It was a discreet, emotional cry." "Discreet," Gwen repeated, finally setting her phone down and raising an eyebrow.

you cried louder than the bride." "Impossible," Annie said. "I cried a lot at my wedding." "That's because you're dramatic," Mia added, stepping back to evaluate the veil. "Perfect. Madeline, you look beautiful." "Speaking of dramatic," Zoey said, "You guys will not believe what Matt

it," Zoey said, rolling her eyes but smiling." Strawberries, bananas, potatoes, crackers... Yesterday he tried smashing cooked pasta with his tiny hands yelling, 'Wine, Daddy, wine!' Christian thought it was so funny he sat on the floor next to him

where he imitates everything he sees," Annie said, her voice so full of love it made my

named Josh. Watching Annie as a mother of two was one of the most beautiful things I'd ever seen. "So?" Mia asked suddenly, looking at me with genuine curiosity. "What's it like? Being a real mother. Not the theory. The practice." Everyone looked at me. I took a deep breath, thinking about Aurora. About her six months of life. Every smile, every cry, every sleepless night, every moment of pure terror and pure love. "It's... overwhelming," I said honestly.