Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 399

Chapter 399

Madeline’s POV

The suitcases were lined up in the mansion’s main hall, arranged with Carmen’s signature efficiency. She’d insisted on personally packing everything I might need for my first days in Valentia.

“We can buy anything else you need there,” Marcus said calmly.

It was surreal to see my entire life reduced to two pieces of luggage, as if my whole past could fit into such a small space.

“It’s not forever,” I told Olivia for what had to be the tenth time as we walked through the gardens, savoring our last few minutes together before leaving. “Just until the baby is born and we sort out all this legal mess.”

Olivia looked at me with that expression I’d known since childhood-the one she used when she didn’t quite buy my attempts to downplay complicated situations.

“Madeline, you’re talking about at least seven months,” she said, stopping beside the stone fountain in the center of the garden. “And that’s assuming everything goes perfectly.”

“I know,” I admitted, my chest tightening. “But you can visit whenever you want. Marcus even said it might be good for you to stay with us for a while-that Castoria is beautiful in the spring.”

“Castoria,” she repeated, shaking her head with a mix of awe and concern. “My cousin married a Kensington and is moving to Castoria. If someone had told me that three months ago, I would’ve laughed.”

I smiled, trying to ease the tension.

“Yeah… I had very different plans,” I said, the words coming out more bitterly than I intended.

Olivia pulled me into a sudden hug-tight, protective, full of all the worries she wasn’t saying out loud.

“Promise you’ll call me as soon as you arrive?” she whispered. “And that you’ll tell me if anything goes wrong?”

“I promise,” I murmured into her hair, my eyes burning with tears.

When we returned to the mansion, the Kensington family was gathered in the hall, ready for the final goodbyes. Joseph looked visibly emotional, holding an old shoebox that clearly contained something important.

“Dear Madeline,” he said, walking toward me with careful steps, “I want you to take this with you.”

opened the box, revealing a pair of soft leather baby shoes-clearly old, but beautifully preserved. They were ny and delicate, with small gold buttons on the sides.

“They were Marcus’s when he was a baby,” he explained, his eyes shining. “I’ve kept them all these years. And now that a new little Kensington is on the way…”

I was speechless for a moment, deeply moved by the generosity and meaning of the gesture. It was simple, but heavy with family history and hope for the future.

“Thank you, Joseph,” I finally managed, holding the box carefully.

“For our little one,” he said, kissing my forehead tenderly.

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Zoey came next, holding Matt, who watched everything with his curious blue eyes.

“Take care,” she said simply, but the hug she gave me carried far more than words. “And stay in touch. I want to know everything about the pregnancy.”

Christian followed, greeting me with a firm handshake and a smile that felt genuinely warm and sincere.

“Welcome to the family-officially,” he said. “And don’t worry about anything here. We’ll handle whatever comes up.”

Matthew, his eyes still slightly swollen but already laughing at himself, wrapped me in a theatrical hug.

“Next time my sister asks me for a favor, I’m specifying that it cannot involve pepper spray,” he joked, earning laughter from everyone.

Gwen was the last to say goodbye. She pulled me aside, away from the others.

“Marcus is a good man,” she said quietly. “But he’s stubborn-and he tends to keep his feelings to himself. Be patient with him. And remember: you’ll always have a family here, no matter what happens.’

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Her words hit me harder than I expected, especially coming from someone who barely knew me but had welcomed me without hesitation.

Marcus appeared at my side, carrying a folder with our travel documents.

“Ready?” he asked, resting his hand gently on my lower back. “My parents and siblings are already waiting in the car. Annie and Nathaniel are coming with us too-same jet. They’ll get off in London, and we continue on to Florentia.”

I nodded, even though my stomach was churning. It wasn’t just the trip making me anxious-it was everything it represented. I was leaving behind everything I’d ever known to build an entirely new life.

We started walking toward the car that would take us to the airport, followed by Carmen carrying a thermal bag filled with food for the journey, and by Joseph, who insisted on seeing us off.

“The pilot just confirmed the flight plan is approved,” Marcus said, checking his watch. “We should land in Florentia around ten in the morning, local time.”

It was strange how calm and practical he sounded in a moment that felt so heavy with emotion and uncertainty for me.

We were almost at the car when we heard the sound of vehicles approaching along the property’s main road.

Everyone stopped instinctively, turning toward the gates. The noise grew louder, closer, until the vehicles finally emerged through the trees.

Two black cars were followed by a police cruiser with its lights flashing.

My heart stopped for a full second before slamming back into motion. Marcus stepped in front of me instinctively, positioning himself like a shield against whatever was coming.

“What the hell…?” Joseph muttered, his voice thick with confusion and outrage.

The convoy stopped in front of the mansion with almost military precision. Police officers exited first, followed

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by men in suits who were clearly not law enforcement.

From the second black car, two figures stepped out.

Then my entire world began to shake.

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