Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 426

Chapter 426

Madeline’s POV

Annie and Nate said their goodbyes with promises to see us again before their baby was born. Annie pulled me into a long hug and whispered in my ear, “Think about what I said,” before leaving with Nate, who carefully carried her bag and offered his arm whenever she needed help stepping down or keeping her balance. Small gestures of care that spoke of months of practice, of a love that had adapted to the needs of pregnancy.

The moment the door closed, the tension in the apartment shifted completely. Marcus came up behind me as I gathered the glasses from the coffee table, his hands settling at my waist.

“Finally alone,” he murmured against my neck, his lips brushing the sensitive skin just below my ear.

His touch still triggered the same electric response, my body reacting instantly to his closeness. I felt that familiar heat spread through my chest, pregnancy hormones making every touch feel stronger, more urgent. But this time, something inside me resisted. My conversation with Annie echoed in my mind, especially the part about the past Marcus had chosen not to mention.

“Let’s take this to the kitchen,” I said, gently stepping out of his arms, already missing the warmth of his body.

Marcus followed me, carrying plates and silverware, clearly still caught in the romantic mood that had been interrupted earlier by Margaret’s arrival. Icould feel his eyes on me as I lined up the glasses, the way he moved around the kitchen with that natural grace that always made me notice every muscle, every gesture.

Margaret had left everything perfectly organized before she went home, so all we needed to do was leave the dishes on the counter for her to wash the next day. It was a simple task that should have taken only a few minutes, but I deliberately dragged it out, arranging each plate with unnecessary care, buying time to organize my thoughts.

“Where exactly were we before our guests arrived?” Marcus asked with a mischievous smile, his hands finding my waist again.

I could feel his determination, the way his body positioned itself behind mine, radiating heat and intent. Part of me wanted to give in, to follow Annie’s advice and stop analyzing everything. But there was a voice in my head I

couldn’t silence.

I kept arranging the plates without looking at him, my movements growing tense.

“Marcus, I need to ask you something.”

Something in my tone must have alerted him, because he stopped immediately. I felt his hands leave my waist, the space between us widening in a way that was almost physical.

“What is it?”

The way he asked, that sudden caution, already gave me part of the answer I didn’t want to hear.

“Why didn’t you tell me that you and Annie had a relationship?”

The silence that followed was deafening. The only sound in the kitchen was the low hum of the refrigerator. I saw Marcus freeze behind me, a flash of alarm crossing his face before it was replaced by something more careful, more calculated.

1/3

“It wasn’t exactly a relationship,” he said at last, choosing his words carefully, like he was stepping through a minefield. “We had… something.”

I nodded, letting him know I’d heard him, but I didn’t say anything else. I kept stacking plates, using the repetitive motion to process the confirmation of what Annie had accidentally revealed. Inside me, a battle was raging. Part of me didn’t want to be jealous. I didn’t want to be that woman, demanding explanations about pasi relationships. Annie was clearly in love with Nate, and Marcus

Chee

But another part of me, the part that had been systematically deceived by Dominic for years, couldn’t just ignore)

The silence stretched between us, heavy and uncomfortable, until the thought that had been eating at met slipped out.

“Just like we don’t really have a relationship either?”

“What?” Marcus asked, turning fully toward me, genuinely confused. “We’re married, Madeline. We’re having a child!”

I scoffed, a bitter laugh slipping from my lips. I finally turned to face him, taking in the confusion in his blue.

eyes.

“Please. We’re only married because you’re doing me a favor. We don’t even know if this baby is really yours.”

I saw the exact moment my words hit him. Like I’d slapped him across the face. The pain that flashed through his eyes was so sharp I immediately felt a stab of regret, but I couldn’t take the words back.

His expression changed completely. The confusion vanished, replaced by a mix of hurt and something that looked almost like… betrayal. As if I’d broken something fragile and precious between us.

And that was when I realized how cruel what I’d said truly was. Unlike Dominic, who had been obsessed with

ests and proof of paternity, Marcus had never once questioned whether the baby was his. From the

the learned about the pregnancy, he had simply claimed that child as his. No hesitation. No doubt. No ons. He had risked everything, his freedom, his reputation, his company, to protect us.

hadn’t lied, had I? We didn’t know with absolute certainty. And how could I be sure of his intentions? I had >pent five years with Dominic, believing he was perfect, that our love was real, that I knew every part of him. Until I discovered none of it was what it seemed.

Marcus had kept Annie from me. Not that I thought there were still feelings between them. I could see the genuine love between Annie and Nate, the way they connected. But if Marcus had hidden that, what else might he be hiding? What other parts of his past did he consider “not important enough” to mention?

“You don’t understand,” Marcus said, his voice thick with emotion I couldn’t fully name. There was pain there, but also something deeper. “You don’t understand what it means to me that I chose to protect you. How much that choice matters.”

“I understand perfectly,” I replied, my own voice turning colder, more distant. “I understand that I’m a burden.

41

“For God’s sake, Madeline!” he snapped, running his hands through his hair in frustration, messing up the dark strands I loved to touch. “You need to stop questioning every single detail and just accept that I chose you. There

2/3

is no other woman. I don’t have secrets that matter!”

“No secrets?” I asked quietly. “Then tell me who Aria is.”

Comments

Support

Share

3/3