Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 392

Chapter 392

Madeline’s POV

The morning of my wedding day began with Olivia waking me up, carrying a breakfast tray that smelled like fres’ rench bread and ripe fruit. For a brief, half-asleep moment, I managed to pretend it was just a normal Saturday and my cousin had decided to spoil me. But reality rushed back the second I saw the wedding dress hanging in the closet, wrapped in protective plastic like a silent promise of what was coming.

“Good morning, bride,” Olivia said, her smile caught somewhere between happiness and worry.

“Good morning,” I replied, trying to sound enthusiastic.

Moments later, Gwen appeared in the doorway, followed by Zoey. Both were wearing silk robes and carrying toiletry bags that looked like they’d come straight out of a high-end spa.

“Pampering day!” Gwen announced dramatically. “I’ve planned everything-massage, sauna, hot tub, and then we’ll do hair and makeup.”

“You don’t need to go to all this trouble,” I protested weakly.

“Oh, yes you do,” Zoey said, sitting on the edge of the bed. “Everyone deserves to feel special on their wedding day.”

The word wedding landed in the room like a stone dropped into still water. I tried not to think about how, just three months earlier, I’d been going through something similar with Olivia and Vivian. I tried not to remember the genuine excitement I’d felt back then-the anticipation of marrying for love, to someone I’d known for years. What followed those preparations had been anything but beautiful.

I forced a smile and climbed out of bed.

“Okay. Let’s get started.”

The next few hours passed in a comfortable blur of care and conversation. The mansion’s spa was stunning— equipped with everything imaginable and more. While a professional massage therapist Zoey had hired worked out the knots in my shoulders, I tried to focus only on the present moment.

I tried not to cling too tightly to the feeling of family, to the genuine care the three women showed me. I reminded myself that this wedding wasn’t about love-not the way I’d once believed it would be with Dominic, before I learned who he really was.

This was practical. A solution. Protection.

I repeated that to myself like a mantra, but with every shared laugh, every gentle gesture, it became harder to keep my heart guarded.

“You’re very tense,” the massage therapist commented. “Try to relax your shoulders.”

“Bride nerves,” Gwen explained for me, and everyone laughed.

Bride nerves. As if it were really that simple.

We were in the sauna, enjoying the steam and the soothing heat, when an unexpected interruption arrived. A

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woman entered the spa area, her very pregnant belly immediately drawing my attention.

Zoey practically jumped up from the bench.

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“Annie!” she exclaimed, rushing forward to hug the newcomer carefully, mindful of the round belly. Anna’ ile, this is Madeline. Madeline, this is Annie,” Zoey said, making introductions, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Twenty-six weeks pregnant. You two are going to have so much to talk about.”

Annabelle greeted me with a warm smile, her hands resting protectively over her belly.

-I heard we’re in the same boat she said lightly.

“Actually, I’m just getting started. Ten weeks.”

“Oh, so you’re still in the morning sickness phase,” she laughed. “You have my deepest sympathy.”

I couldn’t help noticing how close Marcus’s family was. Gwen and Matthew had flown in from China. Annabelle and her husband from London. Zoey told me his parents and siblings would be arriving soon from Italy, along with Joseph-the famous nonno. When someone in the family had something to celebrate, everyone showed up for them, crossing oceans and time zones without hesitation.

Very different from my family, of course. My parents barely knew where I was. They didn’t know about the baby, the wedding-nothing. I only had Olivia there with me.

But Olivia was more than enough. She always had been.

“How are you feeling?” Annabelle asked when we had a moment alone in the hot tub. “About the wedding, I mean.”

“Nervous,” I admitted. “Everything’s happening so fast.”

“I understand. Marcus told me a little about the situation. You’re being very brave.”

Brave. I didn’t feel brave. I felt scared. Lost. Trying to make the best decisions possible in impossible

circumstances.

“He’s a good man,” Annabelle continued gently. “I know the circumstances aren’t ideal, but Marcus has a good heart. He’ll take care of you.”

I nodded, not trusting my voice enough to reply.

The hours flew by in a blur of conversations, laughter, and pampering. When it was time to get dressed, Olivia helped me into the gown. It was simple but elegant, perfect for an intimate ceremony. It wasn’t the dress of my teenage dreams, but it was beautiful in its own way.

When I was almost ready, just the final details being adjusted, Olivia took my hand.

“You’re doing the right thing,” she said firmly. “They seem like good people. They’ll protect you and the baby.”

The tears I’d been holding back all day finally spilled over.

“I just wish my life could be normal,” I whispered between quiet sobs. “I wish I were doing this for love.”

Olivia hugged me carefully, making sure not to wrinkle the dress.

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