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.

and I said in unison, then burst out laughing 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 or bank accounts. "You know," Gwen

genuinely thrilled. "What about work in Euradia?" "I can work remotely for a while," 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 from the vineyard, where they'd gone to handle some business before lunch. "Where are the most beautiful women in the Highridge

to his wife and son, kissing Zoey softly before leaning over the 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

without thinking, his fingers brushing through my hair in that familiar, affectionate way. It was the kind of casual touch that had become natural between us over the past few months, yet it still made my heart skip every single time. "Our Annie has her own charms too," he said, twirling a strand of my hair between

that started casual had slowly turned into something much more-at least for me. "Ohhh," Gwen teased, her grin mischievous as she looked between us. "Looks like I'm not the only one planning to stay longer. Maybe we'll have another Kensington wedding soon." Marcus's reaction hit like a bucket of ice water. "God forbid," he said

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

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 mind was miles away, still stuck on that moment. It wasn't even the rejection that hurt most. It was how casually, how carelessly, he'd tossed me aside in front of