Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 338

Chapter 338

The third week of treatment was being especially brutal. My body felt like it had declared war on itself. It was swelling in places I didn’t even know could swell, mood swings that had me crying over toilet paper commercials, and breast tenderness so bad that even hugs were uncomfortable. I was stretched out on the living room couch, wearing loose sweatpants and one of Nate’s T-shirts that had officially become my uniform on the bad days.

Ginger had become my loyal companion through this rough phase. It was like she instinctively understood that something was wrong, because she never left my side. She was lying on the floor next to the couch now, occasionally getting up to lick my hands or rest her head on my knee with those expressive eyes that seemed to say, I get it. It’s okay.

“Hey, beautiful,” Nate said, appearing in the living room doorway with a tray in his hands. “I brought Belgian chocolate and chamomile tea.”

My heart swelled at the sight of him. Over the past few weeks, Nate had turned into the most attentive partner on the planet. Chocolate when I was emotional. Foot massages when the swelling got unbearable. Endless patience when my hormones made me snap at things that absolutely did not matter.

“You’re perfect,” I murmured, taking the chocolate gratefully. “You really are.” I smiled up at him. “Are you working from home today?”

“I’m going to try,” he said, sitting on the edge of the couch and automatically starting to massage my swollen feet. “I have a meeting at three I can’t move, but the rest I can do from here so I can stay close. How are you feeling?” he asked gently.

“Like I’ve been run over by a truck,” I admitted, melting under the relief of his hands. “And I’m supposed to pick my wedding dress next week. How am I supposed to do that when I’m this swollen?”

Nate stopped massaging my feet just long enough to look at me, his expression full of pure tenderness.

“Annie, you’re glowing,” he said with complete conviction. “I know you don’t feel like it, but there’s something different about you right now. An… anticipation. A hope. It makes you shine.”

“Must be the extra oil in my skin,” I joked, but my eyes burned with sudden tears. Damn hormones. They were making me cry at every small act of kindness.

“It’s love,” Nate corrected softly, leaning in to kiss my forehead. “It’s love for our future family, showing itself.”

I spent the rest of the afternoon half-asleep on the couch, Nate working on his laptop at the coffee table so he could stay close, and Ginger keeping silent watch beside us. When he finally had to leave for a meeting he couldn’t postpone, I was left alone with my faithful canine companion, and a desperate need to talk to someone who truly understood.

I picked up my phone and called Zoey.

“Hey, sis!” Zoey’s bright voice came through the line, instantly making me feel less alone. “How are you feeling today?”

“Like I’m about to explode,” I answered honestly. “But I don’t want to complain, because I know it’s for our baby.”

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“You can complain all you want to me,” Zoey said gently. “I know pregnancy, or anything close to it is no joke.” “How are things there?” I asked, changing the subject before I started crying again.

“Busy-in a good way!” Zoey replied, genuinely excited. “We just finalized the launch strategy for the winery’s new organic line. Christian is thrilled. He’s already planning to serve the first bottles at your wedding-kind of an exclusive pre-launch.”

“Seriously?” I asked, intrigued despite my hormonal haze.

Totally serious. I handled the whole marketing structure with press releases, positioning, everything. It’s going to be perfect. Elegant, sophisticated, and such a beautiful way to celebrate both the wedding and the new product.”

“At least someone is excited about work,” I sighed dramatically. “All I want to do is cry, eat chocolate, and let Ginger lick my feet.”

Zoey laughed, that familiar laugh that always made everything feel lighter.

“When’s the egg retrieval?” she asked, her tone turning more serious.

“Next Thursday,” I replied, feeling that familiar mix of anxiety and hope. “Dr. Whitmore said the follicles are responding really well to the meds.”

“That’s amazing!” Zoey exclaimed. “I’ll be in London on Friday for the Kensington event that weekend. I can spoil the future mom in person.”

“I love you, big sister,” I said, tears of gratitude welling up. “But I’ll love you even more if you bring that Verdanian coffee I like.”

I paused dramatically before continuing my desperate plea.

“Nate hid all the coffee in the house and only lets me have one cup a day, Zoey. You know who I am without coffee. It’s inhumane. Bring coffee, Zoey. For the love of God, bring coffee.”

Zoey was laughing so hard she could barely speak.

“Relax, addict,” she said between laughs. “I’ll see what I can do. Maybe I can smuggle in a few capsules of your favorite kind.”

“You would officially be the best sister in the world,” I declared solemnly.

“I already am the best sister in the world,” she corrected with mock arrogance. “But I’ll happily accept the title of best coffee smuggler too.”

We talked a little longer about wedding details and motherhood. Having that family connection was incredibly comforting, especially while my body was going through so many strange changes.

“Annie,” Zoey said, her voice softening, “I know this is hard. But you’re doing something incredible. You’re literally creating life.”

“I hope so,” I murmured, unconsciously resting my hand on my swollen belly. “Sometimes I’m scared it won’t work and all this discomfort will be for nothing.”

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“It will work,” Zoey said firmly. “I’m sure of it. And even if it doesn’t work the first time, you and Nate will keep trying until it does.”

After we hung up, I stayed stretched out on the couch, watching Ginger, who had positioned herself so her head rested gently on my swollen feet. It was like she knew exactly where I needed comfort the most.

“You’re going to be the most protective big sister in the world,” I told her, scratching behind her ears. “Our baby is going to be so lucky to have you looking out for them.”

Ginger wagged her tail as if she understood perfectly, and I sank deeper into the couch, drifting into an afternoon nap with the quiet certainty that no matter how hard this process became, we would get through it together.

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