Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 325 "And what did you do?" Gwen asked, leaning slightly over the small pub table, her dark eyes full of curiosity and concern. We were sitting at The George Inn, a traditional pub in Southwark that Gwen had chosen because it was " authentically British," as she'd put it. The atmosphere was exactly what you'd expect from a classic London pub with dark wooden beams overhead, timeworn tables, and the constant hum of overlapping conversations mixed with clinking glasses and bursts of laughter.

Our plates of fish and chips were still steaming in front of us, alongside two pints of strong beer I'd ordered, desperately needing something to dull the anxiety that had settled in my chest ever since the conversation at the house in Notting Hill. "I lied!" I shot back, louder than I meant to, slamming my beer down on the wooden table hard enough to make a few people nearby glance in our direction. "What else was I supposed to do?" Foam spilled over the rim of the glass, spreading across the tabletop in small golden puddles that reflected the pub's warm yellow lights.

The bitter taste of the beer lingered on my tongue, mixing with the guilt that had been eating at me ever since we left the house. "Annie..." Gwen started, her voice full of understanding and something that sounded like compassion. "No," I cut in immediately, lifting my hand to stop her before she could say anything comforting. "Don't give me the 'Annie' speech. Nate is literally the most perfect man I've ever met. He's handsome, kind, protective... I want to marry him. I want a family with him.

the cold liquid sliding down my throat as I tried to organize the chaotic thoughts tormenting me. "And I want those kids to come from me," I admitted, my voice dropping, softer and more exposed. "That's incredibly selfish, isn't it?" Gwen shook her head

experience bringing a life into the world." "I never really thought about adoption before," I admitted, nervously poking at a fry on my plate, unable to feel hungry even though I'd barely eaten all day. "I mean, I've always known it's a beautiful and important option, and if it's something that matters to Nate, then of course I'd do

was even born, how Christian looked at her like he was completely mesmerized... I always hoped that at least once, I'd get to

that," she said gently. "Adoption is beautiful, but that doesn't mean you have to give up the desire to experience pregnancy. They're different experiences, and both are valid. Both are about love." "But the thing is..." I started, struggling to find the right words

experience I'd always dreamed of." I took another swallow of beer, the familiar bitterness of the hops blending with the emotional bitterness of the situation. "And then I lied to him," I confessed, the words coming out like a painful admission. "When he asked if I was okay with adoption, I said yes without even hesitating. Because in