Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 395 Madeline's POV Marcus found me again while I was still processing my conversation with Mia, standing at the bar with the non- alcoholic drink Zoey had ordered for me. The pink liquid sat untouched in front of me, condensation forming tiny droplets on the glass. "Escaping the party?" he asked with a smile, stepping closer and resting an elbow on the bar beside me. "Just... breathing," I replied, forcing a smile. "That's a lot of new people all at once." "Sorry about that.

When the Kensington family gathers, it's always a production," he said, gesturing toward the lively party around us. "Want to dance? I promise I won't introduce you to anyone else." I took his outstretched hand, and he led me to where a few couples were dancing under warm, golden lights. The music was soft-Valentian, I thought-something I didn't recognize, but it created an intimate atmosphere despite the dozens of guests surrounding us. Marcus pulled me close, one hand settling at my waist, the other intertwined with mine.

We danced in silence for a few minutes, and little by little, I felt the tension in my shoulders begin to ease. "I bet you always imagined getting married at a vineyard in Serra Gaúcha," he said, slipping back into our familiar guessing game. "Just not to a near stranger. Marcus laughed, that low, genuine sound I was starting to associate with moments when he relaxed around me. "Now that we're married," he said, spinning me gently before pulling me back in, "I think we're past the 'no personal details' rule. You can ask me anything.

No guesses." "I like the mystery," I replied, trying to keep things light. "Of course you do," he said, smiling. "I bet you leave wet towels on the bed," I continued. "And that you check your emails every night before going to sleep." "I bet you sleep hugging a pillow," he shot back, "and that you always check if the door is locked, twice." We laughed and kept dancing, and for a moment, I almost managed to pretend we were just a normal couple celebrating our wedding. Almost managed to forget all the complicated circumstances that had brought us there. Almost.

were still echoing in my head, and eventually I couldn't hold back the question that had been eating at me. "Why are you helping me?" I asked, my voice coming out quieter than I meant it to. Marcus kept moving with me, but I felt a subtle shift in his hold, like he was choosing his answer carefully. "I mean..." I went on. "This baby might be yours, but you offered help even before we knew that." He laughed, but it wasn't the

the incredible week we had in the Maldives..." he continued, looking straight into my eyes, "I figured destiny couldn't have been any clearer." His words hit me like a bucket of cold water. I stopped dancing

hasn't been time for that." Marcus studied me for a moment, as if deciding just how honest to be. "I don't want to sound overly emotional," he said at last. "That's definitely not my style. It's not about love- but it is about passion, connection, attraction..." He paused, brushing his thumb over my hand, which he still held. "Love," he

for me, it was about an incredible man doing everything he could to help me-and me accepting that help because I didn't have another choice.

all this... dedication." Marcus stopped dancing completely and looked at me with a seriousness that made my throat tighten. "This isn't about deserving," he said firmly. "It's about choosing. I chose to help you. I chose to marry you. I chose to believe we can build something real together." 2/3 "And what if I can't give that back?" The question slipped out before I could stop it. "Then we try until we can," he