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

tasted dirty. I looked at Cross. My hand clenched in the air, like I

say nơ?" I

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

soften it "If you act on impulse, you lose her legally." He paused. The pause was

good. When I opened them, Bella was staring at me like she expected me to flip the world upside down. I could. The

saying: I'm

respond today," Cross added.

of my life. The man with the folder cleared his

the

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

"Daddy, please," she cried,

actually hurt.

curled into me instantly, folding herself against my chest like

really I was saying it to myself. The walk to the garage felt endless. Elevator.

my head. In the garage, the air was colder, thick with the smell of concrete and fuel Renee was waiting, the scene perfectly arranged. Eyes slightly red. Mouth tense in just the right way. Her attorney at her side.

called, voice soft and

against me. Her fingers twisted tighter in my shirt like I might vanish.

she

"Mommy's here."

with the folder spoke quietly with Renee's lawyer. Technical words. Names confirmed. Time noted. Documents

now, like asking quietly

I looked at Cross. I swear, for one second, I almost did it. I almost turned and walked away. Cross didn't need to repeat himself. He just met my eyes and gave the smallest shake of his head. No.

I murmured. She sobbed against

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