Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 186

Chapter 186

Annabelle’s POV

“Obviously, I’m the fun aunt,” I declared solemnly, shaking a colorful rattle in front of Matt’s curious little face.” Look at that smile! He loves me already.”

“Please,” Gwen shot back with a laugh, leaning over the portable crib we’d set up in the living room. “He was smiling at me just fine until you barged in here with that noisy thing and scared him half to death.”

Matt, blissfully unaware of our “competition,” was staring in fascination at the mobile Christian had hung above his crib. His tiny hands reached for the colorful shapes that swayed gently in the breeze coming through the window.

“You two are ridiculous,” Zoey said, laughing as she watched us. “He’s two months old. The only thing that impresses him is a clean diaper.”

“Details,” I said, pulling a goofy face that made Matt let out a small sound that was something between a giggle and a burp. “See? He definitely prefers Aunt Annie.”

Gwen had arrived from Euradia three days ago, officially to meet her nephew, though I suspected she also wanted to check on how things were going after all the chaos with Lawrence. She’d brought suitcases full of designer baby gifts and that contagious energy that made the house feel brighter just by being in it.

“Actually,” Gwen said, carefully lifting Matt into her arms, “in Valentia we have a tradition. The first aunt to make the baby fall asleep becomes the favorite aunt.”

“That’s completely made up,” I protested, but I couldn’t help smiling. It was impossible not to like Gwen. She had that effortless Valentian warmth that made everything feel more fun.

“Maybe,” she said with a shrug, starting to hum a soft Valentian lullaby. “But it works.”

And it really did. Within minutes, Matt was fast asleep in her arms, his tiny breaths steady and eaceful.

“Okay, fine, you win this round,” I admitted grudgingly. “But just wait until he starts talking ‘m teaching him Maravinese words that’ll totally confuse you Valentians.”

“Good luck,” Gwen murmured with a grin, laying Matt back into the crib with gentle care. “I’m teaching him Valentian. Can you imagine Zoey’s face when her son starts asking for gelato instead of ice cream?”

Zoey shook her head, smiling.

“You two are going to be terrible influences on my kid.”

“The best aunts always are,” Gwen and I said in unison, then burst out laughing when we realized it.

It was strange how quickly Gwen and I had clicked. At first, I’d been a little hesitant-she was a Kensington, after all, raised in a world of privilege I was still trying to navigate. But she had this refreshing genuineness about her, the kind that made you forget about last names or bank accounts.

“You know,” Gwen said as she settled beside me on the couch, “I’ve been thinking about staying a little longer. Maybe a few extra weeks.”

“Seriously?” I asked, genuinely thrilled. “What about work in Euradia?”

“I can work remotely for a while,” she said with an easy shrug. “And honestly, it feels really good to be close to family again. Especially now that we have this little prince to spoil.”

That’s when we heard the front door open and familiar male voices drift in from the hall. Christian and Marcus were back from the vineyard, where they’d gone to handle some business before lunch.

“Where are the most beautiful women in the Highridge Valley?” Marcus’s teasing voice echoed through the house.

“Right here, admiring the cutest baby in the world,” Zoey called back, waving as the two men stepped into the room.

Christian went straight to his wife and son, kissing Zoey softly before leaning over the crib to check on Matt.

“How’s our little man today?” he asked quietly.

The rest of the day passed in a blur. I joined the conversations, laughed when I was supposed to, said the right things… but my mind was miles away, still stuck on that moment. It wasn’t even the rejection that hurt most. It was how casually, how carelessly, he’d tossed me aside in front of everyone.

Later, after Marcus left and Christian went back to his office, I stayed in the living room with Zoey and Gwen, helping sort through the baby gifts that had arrived that morning.

“You okay?” Zoey asked softly, her tone gentle and knowing.

“I’m fine,” I lied, folding a little blue blanket with way too much force.

Gwen studied me for a few seconds before speaking. “Marcus can be an idiot sometimes. Especially when it comes to relationships. He freaks out the moment someone hints at commitment.”

“It’s fine,” I said quickly. “He’s right, anyway. It’s not serious.”

But even to my own ears, the words rang hollow.

That night, alone in my room, I replayed everything in my head. As magical as this mansion and its world of luxury felt, as wonderful as it was to live in my sister’s fairytale, I knew I couldn’t stay trapped here forever.

I needed to step out of this comfortable cocoon and build something of my own. And the opportunity was right there, waiting for me.

The position in Euradia Christian had mentioned. Working with the Kensington international offices, learning about global business, proving myself in a place where I’d be valued for my skills… not for being Zoey’s sister or Marcus’s latest distraction.

It was time to move on from romance. From Marcus.

It was time to focus on myself and the future I wanted to create.