Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 689

Nick's POV

"Based on the technical evaluation and the minor's well-being, I grant the request for a provisional measure, establishing temporary residence with the mother, with visitation rights for the father on designated days and times, until further review by this court." I heard every word.

But it felt like listening to a language I only understood well enough to recognize danger, not well enough to defend myself against it Mother.

Father.

Visitation.

Review.

The sound went distant and unbearably heavy at the same time.

I watched the judge's mouth move and thought, stupidly, that I should've brought a glass of water.

That I should've slept more.

That I should've answered differently somewhere along the way.

On some random day.

In some conversation that had now turned into this.

A clean, almost polite sentence about my daughter's life.

I caught a glimpse of Renee.

Perfect hair.

Straight posture.

That calculated calm she only wore when she was winning.

Her lawyer already had his pen poised like he'd known the ending from the start.

Cross sat beside me, still, hands folded over his folder.

I was certain the whole world had

Except me.

kept talking, like he was closing

24 hours, peacefully, with the presence of counsel if necessary." Transferred, The word hit

the

Stupid.

Impossible.

taking Bella from

My throat closed.

beating in the

looked at Cross like he was an emergency

My voice came out too low to sound like

we lose?" He

look at me

head, steady, and gave me the only thing holding

this round.But we're appealing." I wanted to ask

tell me this couldn't happen so fast, so cold.But the judge

Deadlines.

Formalities.

Dates.

think about was Bella waking up tomorrow,

that's what children

Until life proves otherwise.

Renee stood first.She didn't rush.Didn't throw her arms up in celebration.She did something worse.She smiled at her lawyer, squeezed

hear what she said, but

Something short.

like, I told you My body reacted with

wanted to cross the room and say something, anything, that would give me back an ounce of control.

a court order and twenty-four hours to "transfer" my daughter.I stood on stiff legs, like I'd aged

Cross touched my arm.

"Not now," he murmured.

that." I nodded, unsure of anything, and walked out In the hallway, the air felt colder than it should have.I took a few

doors weren't

They were a wall.

on the other side, I had to