Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 47

Chapter 47

The car glided silently along the winding road toward the mansion. Through the window, I watched the vineyards bathed in silver moonlight, somber and almost melancholic. The driver kept his eyes fixed on the road, discreetly ignoring the palpable tension between us in the back seat.

Christian sat with his head leaned back, eyes closed, though he wasn’t asleep. Physical and emotional exhaustion was etched into every line of his face. When he finally broke the silence, his voice was hoarse, low:

“You didn’t have to do that.”

I kept my gaze on the passing landscape, as if the dark outlines of the vines could offer some kind of comfort.

“I didn’t do it for you,” I replied, bitterness bleeding into my words. “I did it for your grandfather.”

“Even so,” he insisted, and out of the corner of my eye I saw he’d opened his eyes to look at me. “Thank you.”

I could feel his gaze on me, but I refused to meet it. I was afraid that if I did, he’d see too much-the hurt from the cruel words I’d overheard that morning, the confusion over my own feelings, the war between anger and compassion swelling inside me.

“I’ve grown too attached to Joseph,” I admitted at last. “Whatever I can do to spare him pain, I’ll do.”

A brief silence. Then:

“Even if it means marrying me?”

The question lingered between us, heavy with meanings neither of us was ready to face. Finally, I turned to look at him.

“Yes,” I said firmly. “But I want a clear contract. Six months, not a single day more. Long enough for you to officially take over the vineyard and for Joseph to recover from the surgery. After that, I leave, and I don’t ever want to see you again.”

Something flickered across Christian’s face-surprise, maybe hurt?-quickly hidden behind the controlled expression he wore so well.

“There’s something different about you,” he said, studying my profile as I turned back to the window. “I know we’ve said things to each other, but… this anger… where did it come from?”

Heat climbed up my neck, anger flaring again like embers stoked by the wind.

“Maybe because I found out I’m not ‘the type of woman for someone in your position.”” The words came out sharp, precise. “That I’m just a ‘temporary arrangement.””

Recognition flashed across his face instantly. He closed his eyes briefly, as if taking a physical blow.

“You overheard my conversation with Marcus,” he said-it wasn’t a question.

“Every word,” I confirmed, the knot in my throat making it hard to breathe. “It was very enlightening.”

Christian straightened in his seat, turning fully toward me.

“Zoey, what you heard… I only said that because-”

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