Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Two days after the revelation about Elise and Alex's car, I was still processing everything we'd uncovered. Christian had spent the morning on the phone with Marcus, discussing the next steps in the investigation, while I tried to hold on to some semblance of a normal routine-or what was left of it, anyway. From the doorway, I watched him move around the room, noticing how much stronger and steadier he looked. The stiffness that had lingered in his movements after the accident was almost gone.

The bruises on his face had faded to faint shadows, and he'd regained that quiet energy I'd feared might never return. When he finally ended the call, I leaned against the doorframe, trying to hide the flutter of nerves behind a teasing smile. "Since you're clearly feeling well enough to sneak into cars during investigations," I said, crossing my arms, "I" thought maybe you'd like to come with me to another kind of appointment today." Christian raised a brow, closing his laptop. "What kind of appointment?" "The first ultrasound for our baby." I saw the exact moment my words sank in.

His eyes widened slightly, and he straightened in his chair as if jolted by electricity. "Today?" he asked, his voice coming out rough. "Today," I confirmed, my heart thudding faster. "I know it's a little late for the first one. We should've done it weeks ago, but with everything that happened-the accident, the investigation, all the stress..." I paused, resting a hand over my still-flat stomach. "At least now we'll finally get to hear the heartbeat. I hope." Christian shot up so fast he almost knocked the chair over. In two long strides, he was in front of me, his hands cupping my face.

"Of course I'm going with you," he said, his blue eyes searching mine. "I wouldn't miss that for the world." An hour later, we were sitting in the clinic's waiting room, my hand laced tightly with his. Christian was visibly nervous, running his free hand through his hair every few seconds. "It's okay," I murmured, squeezing his hand. "It's just a routine exam." When my name was called, a wave of nerves hit me hard. Christian's grip tightened as we walked down the hall to the ultrasound room. Dr.

"So, are you two excited to meet the baby?" she asked as she prepared the equipment. "Very,"

a look." My heart stopped. 1/3 Chapter 138 +25 Bonus There, on the grainy black-and-white screen, was our

eyes locked on the screen, awe written all over his face. "And now," Dr. Sandra said, pressing a few buttons, "let's listen to the heartbeat." The sound that filled the room was the most beautiful thing I'd ever heard. Fast, steady, strong-a tiny heart pounding at around a hundred and fifty beats per minute, like the rhythmic gallop

in a dramatic way-he wasn't like that-but quiet tears streamed down his face, and he didn't bother to wipe them away. His eyes stayed fixed on the screen,

mouth, his voice thick with awe and love. "Our baby," I echoed, my voice trembling with emotion. "Everything looks perfect," Dr. Sandra said gently, clearly used to emotional parents. "The baby's measuring right on track-thirteen weeks and two days, strong heartbeat,