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.

half a second, my hand still on

necklace had become proof of affection and, at the same

everything

the hallway with her

was late

bought games,"

me over Bella's

look mothers give when they don't ask because

a tiny

said

wouldn't fail before we even left

was waiting outside, hands in his pockets, wearing that steady expression of someone

"Valemont," he greeted.

"She's ready," I replied.

him and

"Is he coming too?"

"He is," I

Daddy make sure everything's

he's like the lady at

the

Cross asked quietly before

"No," I said.

this way." He nodded, like I'd just

the wheel while Bella

in the rearview mirror and saw her face

believed in the basic rule of