Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 691

Nick's POV

Bella's backpack felt too light for what I was doing.

I zipped it up slowly, feeling the resistance of the fabric like it was the only real thing in a morning that had turned into a legal maze.

Inside, I packed things she'd recognize without thinking.

The pencil case with the cracked lid.

Her sketchbook.

Two changes of clothes.

Pajamas.

Her favorite hoodie.

The pair of socks with little stars she insisted were "lucky." None of it was her life.

Just a small enough slice so it wouldn't feel like goodbye.

I heard footsteps in the living room and Martina's low voice, soft, careful, like she was building a nest around her.

"Are you taking your necklace?" Martina asked.

"The friendship one?" Bella replied, bright.

a second, my hand

become proof of affection and,

everything blurred together like

appeared at the end of the hallway with her hair tied back in a

me like I was late to take her to

said she bought games," she

at me

look mothers give when they don't ask because they already

gave a tiny

said

before we even left the

outside, hands in his pockets, wearing that steady

"Valemont," he greeted.

"She's ready," I replied.

him

"Is he coming too?"

is," I

make sure everything's

lady at the school

like that, miss." I opened the

asked quietly

"No," I said.

nodded, like I'd just confirmed a

while Bella hummed a song without words

rearview mirror and saw her face

afraid.She still believed in