Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 170 Christian's POV Our conversation was cut short when the door burst open and Zoey's entire family flooded into the room in a whirlwind of emotion. Robert and Regina came first, followed by Annie, Matthew, and Joseph, all of them talking at once, tears streaming, smiles trembling. Dr. Porter had made a rare exception, allowing everyone in together for a few minutes. "Fifteen minutes only," he'd warned.

" She still needs plenty of rest, but I understand this moment is part of her healing." "My baby!" Regina cried, rushing to Zoey's side and wrapping her arefully in a trembling embrace, as if she were made of glass. "Thank God you're awake! We haven't slept in days." "Mom," Zoey whispered, her voice raw with emotion as she melted into her mother's arms. Robert moved to the other side of the bed, his large, calloused hands shaking as he gently brushed his daughter's cheek. "My princess," he said, his voice breaking. "You scared us half to death.

I thought I was going to lose my little girl." Zoey smiled weakly through her tears and reached for his hand. "I'm so sorry for making you worry. I can't imagine what it must've been like." "Terrible," Robert said, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "But you're here now, awake, talking to us. That's all that matters." Joseph followed slowly, leaning on his cane, but his eyes were shining with unfiltered joy. "My dear girl," he said, his voice full of relief. "Don't ever do that to us again. My old heart can't handle another scare like this." Zoey managed a soft laugh.

"Grandpa, consider it a good test for your surgery. How are you feeling? How's your heart? Please tell me you didn't get too stressed because of me." "Io sto bene, cara mia. Now that you're back, I'm perfect," he said, eyes twinkling. Annie and Matthew waited their turn, both visibly trying to hold it together. Annie took Zoey's hand so gently it was almost reverent. "How are you feeling?" she asked, searching her sister's face for any sign of pain. "Does it still hurt?" "I'm better now," Zoey said, squeezing her hand.

"My head aches little, but seeing all of you here makes it worth it." Matthew leaned down and kissed her forehead. "You scared the hell out of us, you know that?" he said, trying to sound casual, though his voice wavered. "Annie wouldn't stop crying, Mom was losing it, and I... well, I cried a little too." "Just a little?" Zoey teased, her voice barely above a whisper but carrying that familiar spark. "Okay, maybe a bit more than that," he admitted, grinning. Regina sat carefully on the edge of the bed, her motherly instincts aking over.

it in, actually." She pulled out her phone with hands that still trembled. "Pictures of Matty.

as if she could touch him through the glass. "But so perfect. Look at those little fingers..." 1/3 "He's gaining weight every day," Regina said proudly, scrolling though more photos. "Look, this one's from

went through each photo slowly, tears sliding down her cheeks. "It's not fair," she said softly, her voice cracking. "It's not fair that can't on him, hold him, touch him. I'm his mother, and I haven't even met him yet." I leaned closer and took her free hand in mine, gripping it firmly. "You won't have to wait much longer," I promised. "As soon as the doctors say you can leave the ICU, we'll take you

said solemnly, my voice steady even though my chest ached. "Matty's waiting to meet his mom." Joseph eased a chair closer to the bed and sat down carefully, his movements slow but deliberate. "Tell us, sweetheart," he said gently. "How are you really feeling? Pain?

surrounding her, their eyes full of relief and love. "Physically, I'm better than I expected," she said honestly. "My head still hurts, my body aches, but it's not unbearable. Mentally..." She hesitated. "It's still a bit foggy." "That's normal," Robert assured her, rubbing her hand softly.

tense, careful not to push her. "There was a woman up there," Zoey said slowly, her voice distant, as if she were watching the memory play behind her

snapped toward her sister, her eyes going wide with shock and dawning horror. "It was her, wasn't it?" she asked, looking from Annie to me, then to the rest of the room. "Elise pushed me. It wasn't an accident." A heavy silence fell. The kind