Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 324 344 +25 Bonus Nathaniel's POV "I mean, it's not like I'm planning this for tomorrow or trying to put any pressure on you," Annie said, her words coming out in a slightly nervous rhythm. "But I think these things need to be clear early on. So we know... whether we're on the same page." She was staring down at the garden beneath the terrace, deliberately avoiding my eyes in a way that told me just how much this conversation mattered to her. "Of course I want kids," I replied immediately, my heart warming at the future I'd already imagined countless times with Annie by my side.

Annie wrapped her arms around me with a force that caught me off guard. Her relief was almost tangible in the intensity of her embrace. I felt her arms tighten around my neck, her body finally relaxing against mine in a way that told me she'd been carrying far more tension about this than she'd let on. But I knew I had to be honest with her. Even if it meant potentially shattering the perfect moment we were sharing on the terrace of the house she'd already declared perfect for our future family.

"We could adopt someday," I added carefully, the words feeling heavier on my tongue than I expected, making me realize just how long I'd been avoiding this exact conversation. Annie pulled back slightly, looking at me with confusion that slowly shifted into something like restrained concern. "Adopt?" she asked, her voice tinged with bewilderment that made it clear I hadn't explained myself very well. Why adopt, specifically?" I took a deep breath, knowing this was the moment I had to tell her something that had quietly shaped every romantic decision I'd made throughout my adult life.

conversation I'd always known I'd eventually have to face. "When I was nine, I got the mumps," I began, leaning against the terrace railing and staring down at the small garden where she'd imagined our kids playing. "It was a pretty severe case. There were complications. Orchitis, specifically." Annie's brow furrowed slightly as she tried to connect a childhood illness to our conversation about having children. I saw the exact moment understanding dawned, her expression softening with a mix of surprise

"Nate..." Annie started, but I needed to finish before I lost my nerve. "I grew up knowing that," I said, finally turning to face her.

committed before?" Annie asked gently, her confusion replaced by understanding, and something that looked a

The question made me consider something I'd never seriously revisited. Over the years, I'd been with several women. But nothing had ever come of it. Not even scares or close calls. That had always reinforced my belief that the childhood diagnosis was right. "I