Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

It’s emotion, tamed.

Put to work quietly, without making a scene.

While Nick went back to dealing with his problems, I took Bella-and within two minutes, we were already heading to the car.

She claimed the backseat like she owned it.

Dropped her backpack onto her lap, glanced out the window, then studied me through the rearview mirror.

“Mom,” she called, in the same tone she’d use to ask the time.

“Hmm?”

“When is my baby sister going to be born?” I let cut a breath that was half laugh, half surrender.

“What’s the rush?”

“Because your belly is already huge,” she said, pointing with zero delicacy.

Then she added, like it was a compliment, “Like… really huge.”

“Wow.Thank you for the kindness,” I replied, feigning offense.

Bella burst out laughing.

“It’s true.”

“It is true,” I admitted.

“Not much longer now.Soon enough, you’ll get to meet her.” Her eyes lit up.

“I told Julia,” she said, like she’d made a very important public announcement.“I told her I’m getting a baby sister and she’s basically a real-life doll.” I had to bite back a smile.

“A real-life doll is… an interesting way to put it.”

“It is,” Bella confirmed confidently.

“And Julia thought it was really cool.Then she asked her mom for one too.” I laughed out loud, unable to stop myself.

“Wow,” I said, keeping my eyes on the road.

“Her mom has no idea what she’s getting herself into.” Bella nodded, clearly pleased with her influence.

“And I’m going to take really good care of Clara,” she went on, more serious now.

“I’ll hold her like this.” She demonstrated with her arms, hugging the air, far more careful than the same kid who, just last week, tried to skip bath time.

My chest tightened with a tenderness I couldn’t hide.

“I know you will,” I

two are going to be best friends.”

to get jealous.” I laughed again, softer this

then said with her

she grabbed my fingers tight, like that simple connection confirmed everything I’d been trying to build since she

got to school,

didn’t just let Bella

I parked, opened her door, grabbed her backpack, fixed her jacket, checked that her lunch was there, that her hair

her to the gate like it was the

kissed

“Bye.Mom.”

through the gate.I watched the teacher call her name.I saw Bella raise her hand like she was

I head

The café I chose

tables and a

and opened it like I was stepping into the

The screen lit

organized, my emails were under control, and I knew that if I wanted, I could spend the whole morning there,

But I didn’t.

I called Matthew.

he said, no formality

“You good?”

“I am,” I replied.

if everything’s okay over there.” On the other end, I heard an amused

“Gwen, it’s eight in

go wrong yet.” I

“Good.Let’s keep it that way.” Matthew let

“Are you actually trying to enjoy

the window at the quiet street, trying to

“I try,” I

said, with that

you know if the building catches fire.”

you put