Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 128

Chapter 128

Relief hit me like a wave, so strong it nearly knocked me out of my chair. Christian was awake. His eyes-still hazy from medication and confusion-were open and fixed on me. He was alive, conscious, talking.

“Christian,” I breathed, my voice breaking as tears spilled down my cheeks. “Thank God you’re okay.”

He blinked slowly, trying to focus, and shifted slightly on the bed. A grimace of pain flickered across his face.

“Easy,” I said quickly, moving closer. “You just had surgery. Don’t try to move too much.”

“You…” His voice was raw, probably from the breathing tube they’d taken out. “You’re here.”

Something about the way he said it with half disbelief and half relief hit me hard. Maybe he hadn’t expected to see me. After all, the last time we were in the same room, it had ended in shouting and heartbreak. I’d accused him of not trusting me, and he’d walked out believing I’d betrayed him.

I froze beside his bed, suddenly unsure. I wanted nothing more than to wrap my arms around him, to feel that he was really here, really alive. But did I still have that right? What if he didn’t want me here?

“I…” My voice faltered. “I didn’t know if you’d want to see me.”

Christian frowned, confusion clouding his face.

“Why wouldn’t I…?” He stopped mid-sentence, and I saw the realization dawn in his eyes. His expression shifted, memories slotting back into place. “The fight. The wine bottles.”

“Yeah,” I whispered, staring down at the floor. “I’d understand if you didn’t want-”

Before I could finish, I saw him try to lift his arms toward me. The movement was slow and obviously painful, but the intent was clear. He wanted to hold me.

I didn’t hesitate this time. I leaned down carefully, curling into his arms, mindful of his injuries. His embrace was weak but real, and the moment I felt it, everything inside me broke.

“I thought I lost you,” I sobbed against his shoulder. “When Annie told me about the accident, I thought… I thought you were gone.”

“Hey,” he murmured, his fingers brushing through my hair in gentle, uneven strokes. “I’m here. I’m okay. And you… You’re pregnant? We’re…?”

“I didn’t want you to find out like this,” I cried, all the words I’d practiced tumbling out at once. “About the baby. I had a dinner planned, candles, everything. I wanted it to be special-”

“And I stormed out like a complete idiot,” Christian finished, his voice rough with guilt.

I pulled back just enough to look at him, searching his eyes for any trace of anger or blame. But there was none- only love, regret, and something softer that made my chest ache.

“You remember?” I asked carefully. “Everything that happened?”

“I remember all of it,” he said quietly, his hand lifting to brush a tear from my cheek. “And I remember how horribly I treated you. How could I ever doubt you after everything we’ve been through?”

“Christian…”

“No, Zoey, please. Let me say this.” He took a deep, steadying breath, his voice trembling with emotion. “When I saw that car coming at me, when I realized I couldn’t stop it… all I could think was that I couldn’t die without

“Hey.” He stopped me gently. “First, let me apologize for being such a coward. For letting my past screw up what we have.”

“You don’t need to-”

“Yes, I do.” His fingers found mine and gave them a weak but steady squeeze. “Zoey, I love you. And if you’re carrying our child, then that’s the most incredible thing that could ever happen.”

My heart swelled so fast it almost hurt. But a part of me was still cautious, still bracing for doubt.

“But you always said…”

“I’ve said a lot of stupid things,” he admitted. “I said I didn’t want kids because I thought I wouldn’t be a good father. Because I was terrified of repeating my parents’ mistakes. But that was before you. Before I knew who I could be with you.”

He paused, his thumb brushing lightly over the back of my hand. “But I love you. And I love you both.”

Tears spilled again, only this time they were happy ones. Every fear I’d had about how he’d react melted away under the warmth in his eyes.

“I love you too,” I said, my voice trembling. “I’m sorry I didn’t say it sooner. I was scared-scared of actually being pregnant, because I wasn’t sure yet. Scared of how you’d take it. Scared it was too soon, that you’d feel trapped…”

Christian frowned slightly, confusion flickering across his features.

“Scared of me?” he asked quietly.