Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 301

Chapter 301

The first thing I noticed when I came back to consciousness was the familiar texture of Nate’s Egyptian cotton sheets against my skin. My eyes opened slowly, adjusting to the soft light filtering through the half-drawn bedroom curtains. For a brief, disoriented moment, I thought it had all been a horrible nightmare-the discovery about Wanderer, the devastating shock, the feeling that my entire world had collapsed.

Then reality crashed back over me like a wave of ice, bringing every ounce of pain and betrayal with it.

I tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness made me pause. That was when I realized I wasn’t alone. A middle-aged woman in a discreet medical uniform was seated in an armchair near the bed, watching me with calm, professional concern.

“How are you feeling?” she asked, her refined British accent unmistakable as she stood and stepped closer. ” I’m Nurse Patricia. Mr. Carter called me when you fainted.”

“I… what happened?” I asked, even though I already knew. The memory of the discovery was crystal clear, every detail painfully sharp.

“You had a sudden drop in blood pressure,” Patricia explained as she checked my pulse with practiced fingers.” Most likely caused by intense emotional stress. It’s more common than you’d think, especially after a significant psychological shock.”

I nodded silently, unwilling to explain what had triggered my “psychological shock.” The nurse continued her brief exam, shining a small light into my eyes and asking how I felt.

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“Your pressure is coming back up, but it’s still a bit low,” she said, putting her instruments away. “It’s essential that you eat something. Your body needs energy to fully recover, and stress can drain your reserves.’

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“I’m not hungry,” I murmured, even though I knew that wasn’t true. The thought of food made my stomach.

twist with nausea.

“I understand, dear, but this isn’t optional,” Patricia said firmly. “I’ll have something light brought in. Toast, and perhaps soup. Something your stomach can handle.”

She left the room, and I was alone with the chaos in my head. I looked around, taking in the small details that showed how quickly Nate had reacted. A glass of fresh water sat on the nightstand beside a few medications the nurse had likely brought. The curtains had been adjusted to let in just enough light. Somewhere in the apartment, I could hear muffled voices. It was probably Nate talking to someone, organizing more care.

His attention should have comforted me. It should have made me feel cared for. Instead, it only fueled my confusion and anger. How could he be so gentle and attentive while hiding something so enormous from me?

About fifteen minutes later, Patricia returned with a young woman carrying an elegant tray. The scent of vegetable soup and freshly made toast filled the room, and my stomach betrayed me with an involuntary growl.

“Perfect,” Patricia said, helping the woman set the tray on a small table beside the bed. “Chicken and vegetable soup, whole-grain toast, and chamomile tea. Nothing too heavy, but nourishing enough to help you recover.”

I ate mechanically, barely tasting the food, knowing Patricia wouldn’t leave until the plate was empty. The soup was delicious. It was clearly homemade, not something ordered in. Another example of Nate’s over-the-top care, and somehow that only made me more irritated.

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“Excellent,” Patricia said when I finished, checking my blood pressure one last time. “It’s almost back to

normal. I’ll leave you some instructions about hydration and rest, but I expect a full recovery. Just try to avoid unnecessary stress over the next few days.”

If only it were that simple.

After Patricia left, I stayed alone in the heavy silence of the bedroom for nearly an hour. I could hear the occasional movement elsewhere in the apartment, but Nate was clearly giving me space. Part of me appreciated that. Another part was furious that he wasn’t rushing in to explain himself.

Eventually, I heard hesitant footsteps approaching, followed by a soft knock at the door.

“Annie?” Nate’s voice was careful, thick with worry and guilt. “Can I come in? Can we talk?”

“Oh, now you want to talk?” I shot back, the sharp edge in my voice surprising even me.

There was a pause before the door slowly opened. Nate stepped inside, looking exhausted and haunted. His clothes were wrinkled, his hair a mess, and there was a tension in his shoulders I’d never seen before. He stayed close to the door, as if unsure whether he was welcome any farther in.

“I know you’re angry,” he said carefully. “And you have every right to be, but-”

“I just want to know why you did this,” I interrupted, my voice calmer than I expected.

Nate let out a deep breath, running his hands through his hair like he was trying to steady himself.

“Because I fell in love with you,” he said simply. “And you didn’t give me any opening. After what happened on the plane, you made it very clear you wanted to keep things professional-that it had been a mistake.”

“You know it was complicated,” I shot back. “Work, the difference in our positions, everything surrounding it-

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“I know,” he admitted, stepping a little closer. “But when you started using the dating app, I saw an opportunity to get closer to you. To really know you. To understand who you were when you weren’t being the perfect, cautious employee.”

“And to use it against me,” I cut in again, the anger finally starting to boil.

“Against you?” Nate looked genuinely stunned. “Annie, when did I ever use anything against you?”

The question caught me off guard. I went quiet, searching my memory for moments when he might have used something I’d shared with Wanderer to manipulate or pressure me. But honestly, I couldn’t think of a single clear example.

“You used information I gave thinking I was talking to someone else, to win me over,” I said instead, trying to put into words what actually hurt.

“Yes,” he admitted without hesitation. “And I know it was wrong. I should have told you sooner. I was going to, but-”

“But you didn’t,” I cut him off, pushing myself up from the bed more abruptly than I meant to.

“Annie, what are you doing?” he asked, alarm clear in his voice.

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Chapter 301

“I’m leaving,” I said, looking for my suitcase. “I need to be alone.”

“I can leave,” he offered quickly. “You can stay here, rest—”

“I want to go home,” I insisted, finding my clothes and starting to change without caring that he was still in the

room.

Nate stayed silent for a moment, watching my determined movements.

“Okay,” he said finally, defeat heavy in his voice. “But… call me if you don’t feel well. Or if you need anything. Ôi

“I won’t call,” I said coldly, my words slicing through the air like a blade.

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