Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 186 Annabelle's POV "Obviously, I'm the fun aunt," I declared solemnly, shaking a colorful rattle in front of Matt's curious little face." Look at that smile! He loves me already." "Please," Gwen shot back with a laugh, leaning over the portable crib we'd set up in the living room. "He was smiling at me just fine until you barged in here with that noisy thing and scared him half to death." Matt, blissfully unaware of our "competition," was staring in fascination at the mobile Christian had hung above his crib.

His tiny hands reached for the colorful shapes that swayed gently in the breeze coming through the window. "You two are ridiculous," Zoey said, laughing as she watched us. "He's two months old. The only thing that impresses him is a clean diaper." "Details," I said, pulling a goofy face that made Matt let out a small sound that was something between a giggle and a burp. "See? He definitely prefers Aunt Annie." Gwen had arrived from Euradia three days ago, officially to meet her nephew, though I suspected she also wanted to check on how things were going after all the chaos with Lawrence.

She'd brought suitcases full of designer baby gifts and that contagious energy that made the house feel brighter just by being in it. "Actually," Gwen said, carefully lifting Matt into her arms, "in Valentia we have a tradition. The first aunt to make the baby fall asleep becomes the favorite aunt." "That's completely made up," I protested, but I couldn't help smiling. It was impossible not to like Gwen. She had that effortless Valentian warmth that made everything feel more fun. "Maybe," she said with a shrug, starting to hum a soft Valentian lullaby. "But it works." And it really did.

Within minutes, Matt was fast asleep in her arms, his tiny breaths steady and eaceful. "Okay, fine, you win this round," I admitted grudgingly. "But just wait until he starts talking 'm teaching him Maravinese words that'll totally confuse you Valentians." "Good luck," Gwen murmured with a grin, laying Matt back into the crib with gentle care. "I'm teaching him Valentian. Can you imagine Zoey's face when her son starts asking for gelato instead of ice cream?" Zoey shook her head, smiling.

when we realized it. It was strange how quickly Gwen and I had clicked. At first, I'd been a little hesitant-she was a Kensington, after all, raised in a world of privilege I was still trying to navigate. But she had this refreshing genuineness about her, the kind that made you forget about last names

she said with an easy shrug. "And honestly, it feels really good to be close to family again. Especially now that we have this little prince to spoil." 1/3 That's when we heard the front door open and familiar male voices drift in from the hall. Christian and Marcus were back

crib to check on Matt. "How's our little man today?" he asked quietly. "Perfect," Zoey said, her voice warm with love. "His aunts are fighting over who gets to be the favorite." Marcus turned to where Gwen and

It was the kind of casual touch that had become natural between us over the past few months, yet it still

more-at least for me. "Ohhh," Gwen

distance between us. " Annie knows this is just fun. Nothing serious. Right, Annie?" The words hit me like a punch to the chest. It wasn't just what he had said, it was how he had said it. The tone of panic, the need to make it crystal clear that the idea of being with me was unthinkable. Worse, he said it in front of Gwen, Zoey, and Christian, like he wanted everyone to know I was nothing more than a fling. Not someone to take seriously. Not someone worth considering

"just fun" for a while now. Without realizing it, I'd started to fall for him. And clearly, I was the only one who had. The rest of the day passed in a blur. I joined the conversations, laughed when I was supposed to, said the right things... but my