Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 124

Chapter 124

The cab dropped me off in front of my building just as the sun began to set. My meeting with Edward had left me with more questions than answers, and my head was pounding from trying to make sense of everything I’d just learned. Someone was pretending to be me, sabotaging my relationship with Christian, and leaking confidential Kensington information to help Sunvale.

I climbed the steps to the entrance and headed for the elevator. All I wanted was to get home, take a hot shower, and try to untangle my thoughts. Maybe even try calling Christian one more time, even though I knew it would probably go straight to voicemail again.

When the elevator doors opened on my floor, I almost tripped.

Alex was leaning against the wall beside my door, hands shoved in his pockets, staring at the floor like he was psyching himself up for something. The moment he saw me step out, he straightened, his eyes meeting mine with a mix of nerves and determination.

“Hey, Zoey.”

For a second, I froze. I hadn’t seen Alex in months, not since the wedding where Elise had thrown wine all over my dress. He looked different now-thinner, with dark circles under his eyes, like he hadn’t been sleeping.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice coming out sharper than I meant.

“I needed to talk to you.” He pushed off the wall but kept his distance. “I know I don’t have the right to just show up, but…”

“No, you don’t.” I cut him off, walking toward my door and rummaging through my purse for the keys. “Alex, whatever you want, it’s not a good time.”

“Please, just five minutes.” There was something desperate in his tone that made me stop. “I need to… I need to apologize.”

I turned to face him, my keys clenched tightly in my hand.

“Really? You want to apologize? Now? After you cheated on me with my best friend? After you humiliated me in front of everyone we know?”

“I know.” He ran a hand through his hair, visibly tense. “I know I did the worst thing possible. And I know I can’t just show up here and expect forgiveness.”

“Then why are you here?” My voice rose a notch, all the frustration from the day pouring out in his direction.” What do you want, Alex?”

“I want you to know that the biggest mistake of my life was betraying you.” The words came rushing out like he’d practiced them over and over. “Not a single day goes by that I don’t regret it. Not one, Zoey.”

Tears stung my eyes, but not because of Alex. It was everything-fighting with Christian, the pregnancy I still didn’t know how to handle, finding out someone was trying to destroy my life. Alex showing up was just the final straw.

“That’s the past, Alex.” My voice wavered slightly. “And that’s where it needs to stay. I’ve moved on, built a new life, and you should do the same.”

“I tried.” He took a step forward but stopped when I raised my hand. “God knows I tried. But Elise… she’s not who I thought she was, Zoey.”

“What do you mean?”

Alex glanced around the hallway as if checking for eavesdroppers, then lowered his voice.

“I’m filing for divorce. Elise… she’s manipulative, calculating. She only married me because she thought I’d be useful for her business. And maybe… maybe to get back at you, obviously. And now that Elite RP is growing…”

“Alex, I really don’t want to hear about your marital problems.” I tried to fit the key into the lock, but my hands were shaking. “That’s not my concern.”

“It’s not just about me,” he said urgently. “It’s about you too. And your husband.”

I froze, the key halfway to the lock.

“Zoey, what happened?” He stepped closer, his voice softer now. “Are you okay? You look…”

“Look what?” I turned toward him, tears spilling over before I could stop them. “Like a mess? Because that’s exactly what I am right now.”

“No, you’re not.” Alex reached out as if to touch me, then dropped his hand when I backed away. “You’re the strongest person I know. You always have been.”

“Strong?” I let out a bitter laugh. “Alex, you have no idea what’s going on in my life right now. The chaos, the…”

I stopped myself before I said too much. I wasn’t about to pour my heart out to Alex, of all people.

“Look, thank you for the warning about Elise.” I forced my voice to steady. “I’ll talk to Christian about it. But I need you to leave now.”

“Zoey…”

“Alex, please.” My voice cracked slightly. “Just… go.”

He stood there for a few seconds, clearly torn between staying and respecting my request. Finally, he nodded slowly.

“Alright. But if you ever need anything… if you need to talk to someone who’s known you for years…”

“I won’t,” I cut in quickly.

“My number hasn’t changed.” He took a few steps down the hall, then turned back. “And Zoey? Whatever’s going on between you and Christian… he’d be a fool not to fight for you.”