Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 706

Chapter 706

Nicks POV

When the social worker finished the sentence about the "current court order," something primal rose in me. An instinct to grab my daughter and disappear.

Martina made a soft, broken sound. Gwen went completely still, her hand resting over her stomach, like her body had absorbed the blow before her mind did. Bella was wrapped around my legs, her face buried in my pants like I was the only safe place left in the world.

I ran my hand through her hair slowly, repeating "I'm here" more for myself than for her, because I needed to remember I could still stand upright.

She lifted her tear-soaked face and looked at me with a clarity no child should have.

"I don't want to go," she whispered. The words hit me like something solid. The man with the folder shuffled his papers.

"Mr. Valemont-"

"I understand," I cut in, without raising my voice.

"I just need a minute." I crouched down to Bella's level.

"Princess..." I said, and it took everything in me not to let the word turn into desperation.

"Look at me." Her eyes were red, but steady.

"Do you remember what I told you yesterday?" I asked. She frowned, trying to follow.

"That...I didn't do anything wrong?" she guessed. I swallowed.

"That's right. You didn't do anything wrong for wanting to be with me. But you did put yourself in danger," I said, with as much gentleness and as little blame as I could manage.

fix this

back," she said, like the word tasted dirty. I looked at Cross. My hand clenched in

say nơ?" I

leaned closer, his voice even lower, "If you say no and walk out with her right now, you feed

went rigid. He didn't soften it "If you act on impulse, you lose her legally."

I closed my eyes for a second. For good. When I opened them, Bella was staring at me like she expected me to flip the world upside down. I could. The problem was the cost. Gwen stepped closer.

was saying:

respond today," Cross

law." I nodded once. It was the hardest movement of my life. The man with the

can proceed with the transfer

" The mother is already waiting in the garage." I stood up slowly. Bella clung to

please," she cried, the words breaking apart.

chest actually hurt. I

against

go downstairs," I said to everyone, but really I was saying it to myself. The walk to the

to do something reckless. Every step echoed Cross's warning in my head. In the garage, the air was colder, thick with the smell of concrete and fuel Renee was waiting, the scene perfectly

called, voice

twisted tighter in my shirt like I might

okay," she said gently.

"Mommy's here."

she was bracing against an earthquake. The man with the folder spoke quietly with Renee's lawyer. Technical words. Names confirmed. Time

softer now, like asking quietly

Cross. I swear, for one second, I almost did it. I almost turned and walked away. Cross didn't need to repeat himself. He

sobbed against my neck.

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