Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 374 Madeline's POV My hands were shaking so badly I almost dropped the pregnancy test onto the bathroom floor. Two lines. Two mistakable lines that were about to change my life. Olivia stood frozen in the doorway, watching me with an expression that blended fear and tenderness, like she wanted to pull me into a hug and, at the same time, shield both of us from what those results meant. "And now?" I whispered, still staring at the test. "Now..." Olivia began, but she was cut off by the sound of the apartment door opening without warning. "Madeline! Olivia!

Where are you?" Vivian's artificially cheerful voice echoed down the hallway. My blood turned to ice. Vivian had a key to the apartment as Dominic had insisted on it "for emergencies." I looked desperately at Olivia and tried to hide the test. But it was already too late. "You're pregnant!" Vivian exclaimed, snatching the test from my hand before we could react. "Dominic is going to be so happy when he finds out!" The look Olivia and I exchanged was heavy with unspoken meaning. What if it wasn't his?

The question hovered between us like a dark cloud, but neither of us dared to voice it in front of Vivian. "It's... it's very early," I managed, trying to regain control of the situation. "I haven't even told Dominic yet." "How wonderful!" Vivian clapped her hands, as if she were watching a play. "Actually, I came to pick you up for your dress fitting. I know how late you always are, so I thought it'd be better to come get you myself." I frowned. I was never late, at least not significantly. It was just another one of Vivian's many small lies, excuses to justify her control over my life.

there was something cold beneath her cheer. "I'm your maid of honor. It's my responsibility to make sure everything goes perfectly this time." "This time.' As if the first canceled wedding had been my fault. On the way to the atelier, sitting in the passenger seat of Vivian's car, I tried to keep up normal conversation,

you're not well." "I'm fine," I answered automatically. "Of course you are!" she smiled. "And now, with the pregnancy, I'm sure everything will fall perfectly into place. There's nothing like a baby to bring stability to a marriage, right?" 1/3 The way she said it sent a chill through me. As if the baby were just another piece

greeted me with professional smiles and led me into the fitting room. I had to admit the dress was beautiful. Pure silk, flawless cut, every detail designed to create the illusion of the perfect bride. "You look stunning," Vivian commented when I stepped out. "Everything needs to be exactly where it belongs... including the bride, right?" The seamstress laughed, thinking

with more force than necessary, and when our eyes met in the mirror, I saw the veiled threat clearly reflected there. One misstep. One attempt to escape.

The dress was beautiful on the outside, but inside I felt like I was suffocating. As if every layer of fabric was another chain binding me to