Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 169 Christian's POV The second day after Zoey woke was completely different from th for the first time in a week, they were clear and focused on me. "Hey," I said softly, leaning closer. first. She opened her eyes around eight in the morning, and She tried to respond. Her lips moved, her throat working with effort. He "Hey." voice came out raspy and weak, but it was there. Tears stung my eyes instantly. It was the first actual word she'd spoken since "How are you feeling?" I asked, taking her hand carefully. nt, and hearing it almost broke me.

Zoey frowned a little, her expression distant, like her mind was piecing things together through fog. "Confused," she murmured after a few seconds. "Where... where am I?" "In the hospital," I explained gently. "You had an accident. But you're safe now." She tried to shift slightly and winced, her body tensing. "It hurts," she whispered. "I know, baby. The doctors said that's normal. You're going to get better." For the next couple of hours, we talked in short, careful bursts.

Zoey asked simple questions, mostly one or two words, and I answered each one patiently, making sure not to overload her with too much information. "How long?" she asked around ten. "A week," I said quietly. "You were asleep for a week." Her eyes widened. "A whole week?" "Yeah. But you're back now. You're stronger every hour." When Dr. Porter came by for his morning check, he looked genuinely pleased. "Zoey, can you tell me your full name?" he asked. "Zoey..." She paused, her brow furrowing. "Zoey Bennett... no. Kensington. Zoey Bennett Kensington." "Excellent.

And do you know where you are?" "Hospital," she said, glancing around the room as if really seeing for the first time. "Very good. Your recovery is going beautifully. Your memory will keep coming back in pieces over the next few hours." When we were alone again, she turned her gaze back to me. "You... you haven't slept," she said, studying my face. "I didn't want to leave," I admitted. "I wanted to be here when you woke up." She gave a tired, crooked smile. "Silly," she whispered. But there was warmth in her voice.

of nowhere, she asked the question I'd been dreading. 1/3 "What happened to me? You said... accident?" I took a deep breath, trying to decide how much to tell her. "You fell down a staircase," I said carefully. "At the Verdania Wine Expo event. You hit your head." Zoey blinked slowly, pressing her fingers to the bandage at

it's all blurry. I remember talking to people, being happy, and then... nothing." All afternoon, bits and pieces started surfacing. She remembered flashes of the event, moments with guests, the joy on her face when she saw the success of Vintara. And then, around four

"He's okay," I said

is he?" she asked, her voice breaking with fear. "In the NICU," I told her. "He's growing, gaining weight every day He's tiny but stubborn, just like his mom." Zoey let out a sob that was half relief, half heartbreak. "Can I see him?" "As soon as the doctors say it's

whispered the name with such tenderness it nearly undid me. "My Matt." "Our Matt," I murmured, kissing her forehead. We spent the next hour talking about our son. I told her everything I could remember-how small he was but how strong, how perfectly formed his little fingers were,

"I want to meet him." "And you will," I promised. "Soon. The two of you will finally meet the way you were meant to." 2/3 Chapter 160 +25 Bonus As the day went on, more of her memories returned. She remembered moments from the pregnancy, the