Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 317 Before either of us could move toward the door, Tori sprinted through the kitchen, calling out cheerfully, "I've got it! Family backup!" Nate and I exchanged confused looks, but the sound of familiar voices and laughter drifting in from the entryway quickly cleared things up. A few minutes later, Oliver and Sarah appeared in the kitchen, beaming and carrying a pizza box that had very clearly survived a long journey. "Surprise!" Oliver announced, setting the boxes down on the counter. "We brought cold artichoke and Sicilian lemon pizza.

Courtesy of a three-hour drive from Bath." Sarah laughed, tucking a loose strand of hair back into her ponytail. "Sorry about the state of it. We thought bringing Nate's favorite was a great idea. We did not factor in London traffic." "How did you-?" I started, but Tori popped up behind them, looking a little guilty. "I called them," she admitted, fidgeting with her hands. "I figured you two could use a good distraction. And family always helps, right?" My heart softened at the gesture.

Despite everything Tori had unintentionally caused the night before, she was genuinely trying to make things right. Oliver stepped forward and wrapped me in a warm hug. "How are you feeling, sis?" he asked quietly. I could tell from his eyes that Tori had shared at least part of what had happened. "Better," I said honestly. "Much better." What touched me most was that neither Oliver nor Sarah asked for details. There was a gentleness to the way they handled things. It was a clear understanding that I wasn't ready to relive everything, but that they still wanted to show up for me.

Sarah came over next and hugged me just as tightly. "We also brought board games," she said with a conspiratorial smile. "I thought a little friendly competition might be exactly what you all need." And that's exactly what it turned into. We spent the entire afternoon in Nate's living room playing Monopoly, Scrabble, and Uno, laughing and eating slices of cold pizza that were somehow still delicious after the drive. Nate opened a couple of bottles of wine, and the atmosphere slowly grew lighter, easier. It was amazing how Oliver and Sarah's presence completely shifted the mood.

the afternoon, right in the middle of a particularly cutthroat Scrabble round, the doorbell rang again.

exclaimed, jumping to my feet. "What are you doing here?" She wrapped me in such a tight hug I could barely breathe, her familiar perfume instantly grounding me,

"How are you?" Christian asked gently. "I'm okay," I replied. This time, I truly meant it. We were still adjusting to their sudden arrival when the doorbell rang again. I looked at Nate with a you've got to be kidding me expression before he went to answer

walked in, Gwen holding an elegant box of what looked like fine Valentian chocolates, while my brother rushed straight toward me for a hug. "Welcome to the party," I said, laughing at the sheer absurdity of it all. "Make yourselves at home." Nate immediately shifted into host mode, grabbing more wine and calling to order additional pizzas while everyone spread out around the room. The

closer than strictly necessary. "You two arrived together." Gwen and Matthew exchanged a conspiratorial glance that didn't go unnoticed by anyone. "We ran into each other at the airport," Gwen said, taking a long sip of wine as if buying time for someone to change the subject. Zoey did not. "That's