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,

proof of affection and, at the same time,

hated how everything

Bella appeared at the end of the hallway with her hair

at me like I was

said she bought games,"

looked at me over

they don't

gave a tiny

said no

wouldn't fail before we even left the

go." Cross was waiting outside, hands in his pockets, wearing that steady expression of someone who doesn't allow himself to be

"Valemont," he greeted.

"She's ready," I replied.

noticed him

"Is he coming too?"

"He is," I said

Daddy make sure everything's done

he's like the lady at the

opened the

quietly before walking

"No," I said.

He nodded, like

with both hands on the wheel while Bella hummed a song without words

glanced in the rearview mirror and saw her face

afraid.She still believed in the basic rule of