Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 158

Chapter 158

When Christian came back into the waiting room, I noticed right away that something had changed in his expression. He looked tense, yes–but also focused, as if he’d just heard something serious that left him both worried and resolute.

“Everything okay?” I asked as soon as he sat down beside me, searching his blue eyes for any hint of what might be wrong.

He leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead, his hand instinctively finding its way to my belly. That protective gesture had become second nature to him.

“Everything’s fine,” he said, his voice calm and steady. “Marcus just got more concrete proof about Elise and Francesca. Nothing new, just confirmation of what we already knew. It’ll all be resolved soon.”

Relief washed through me in a warm wave. I’d been doing everything I could in recent weeks to stay calm, to avoid stress, to protect our baby-and at times it felt like walking on eggshells, trying to balance my own worry with the need to stay grounded.

“I can’t wait,” I said, placing my hand over his where it rested on my stomach. “Soon we’ll have so much to celebrate-Joseph’s recovery, the Vintara launch, putting this whole Elise mess behind us… and in a few months, our baby will be here.”

Christian smiled, and this time it was real-one of those smiles that reached his eyes.

“It’s going to be an amazing time,” he said softly, brushing a kiss against my cheek. “Joseph’s going to love helping us get ready for the baby once he’s back on his feet.”

The next few hours passed in a state of quiet, controlled anticipation. We made small talk, flipped through magazines, half- watched the TV in the corner-always with one eye on the clock and the other on the door, waiting for news.

Christian seemed calmer after talking with Marcus, though I could still sense something lingering in the back of his mind. He kept me close the entire time, his hand either resting on my belly or holding mine, as if my touch grounded him just as much as his grounded me.

Around five-thirty, a nurse appeared at the door, and her bright smile told us everything before she even spoke.

“Family of Mr. Kensington?” she said. “The surgery was a complete success.”

The wave of relief that swept through the room was almost tangible. Christian closed his eyes and exhaled deeply, as though he’d been holding his breath for hours. Marcus jumped up and punched the air, Isabelle even cracked a small smile, and Lawrence shut his laptop for the first time all day.

“Dr. Carlisle will be here to speak with you in a few minutes,” the nurse added. “Mr. Kensington is already waking up in recovery. You’ll be able to see him soon.”

When Dr. Carlisle walked in twenty minutes later, still in his surgical scrubs, his confident smile confirmed everything the nurse had said.

“The surgery went perfectly,” he said, addressing Christian directly. “Mr. Kensington’s heart responded exceptionally well. For an eighty-three-year-old man, his cardiovascular strength is remarkable.”

“When can we see him?” I asked, unable to hide the anxious tremor in my voice.

“Right now, if you’d like,” Dr. Carlisle replied warmly. “He’s awake, alert, and already asking for his family. Actually, the first thing he asked when he opened his eyes was whether his granddaughter and great-grandchild were doing okay, since they’ can’t be stressed,”” he added with a smile, glancing at my belly.

Christian laughed, shaking his head affectionately.

“That’s Grandpa-always worrying about everyone else first.”

We followed the doctor down the hall to the recovery room, where he reminded us to keep the visit short and quiet since Joseph was still weak.

When we walked in, Joseph was propped up in bed, surrounded by honitors and IV lines-but his eyes were bright, alive, and full of that same stubborn spark. Despite the paleness of his skin and the tubes around him, he managed a small, proud smile the moment he saw ns.

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