Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 591

Chapter 591

Gwen’s POV

I was alone at the back of the porch, sitting on one of the worn wooden benches beneath the shade of an old climbing vine. I held a mug of coffee between my hands, watching the steam rise in lazy spirals into the cool morning air.

I had woken up early, unable to sleep properly after everything that had happened the night before. The party. Renee. The way Nick had completely shut down.

I heard footsteps behind me and didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. I recognized the sound of his walk now.

Nick sat down beside me without a word, his elbows resting on his knees, his hands clasped together.

I looked at him.

He looked exhausted. Dark circles shadowed his green eyes. His hair was messy. His jaw was still tight.

Without thinking, I held out my mug.

“You look like you need this more than I do,” I said softly.

He glanced at the cup, then at me. Then he took it and drank deeply.

“Thank you,” he murmured.

We sat in silence for a moment. Just the sound of birds and wind moving through the leaves around us.

“You went to see her,” I said finally. It wasn’t a question.

“I did,” he admitted, staring into the coffee. “I shouldn’t have.”

“Why?”

He let out a breath heavy with frustration and exhaustion.

“She said she’s back for good. That she’s looking for a house in the area. That she wants to rebuild her relationship with Bella.”

He paused, then turned to look at me directly.

“And with me.”

Something tightened in my chest. A wave of jealousy hit me so hard it almost took my breath away.

But I didn’t say anything. I just looked at him and waited for him to continue.

Because Renee was Bella’s mother. He was her father. No matter how much Renee had forgotten that over the past few years. No matter how justified Nick’s resentment was. It was normal for them to reconnect if it was for their daughter’s sake. Right?

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But was that the kind of relationship he meant? A co-parenting relationship? Or…

“And what did you say?” I asked, keeping my voice steadier than I felt.

Nick let out a long sigh and rubbed his face with both hands.

“I told her to talk to my lawyer.”

He paused, bitterness in his expression.

“Gwen, I don’t have a lawyer. I don’t have the money to hire a decent one. She does. The best. Did you see where she’s staying? That hotel costs a fortune.”

He stood abruptly and began pacing across the small porch.

“On top of that, I’m scared of what she might find out about my finances,” he continued, his voice growing more tense. “How she could use it against me. What if she somehow proves that I’m not in a good position to take care of Bella? That the property is drowning in debt? That I can barely pay the bills?”

“That’s not going to happen,” I said firmly, standing up as well. “Because it isn’t true. Bella has everything she needs. A home. Food. An education. And most of all, the love of a father who adores her and would do anything for her.”

Nick stopped pacing and looked at me, his expression tired and vulnerable.

“I don’t know,” he said quietly. “I don’t know if that’s enough. I don’t know if love is enough when she can offer things I can’t. Expensive clothes. Toys. Trips. Everything money can buy.”

I took a deep breath, thinking carefully before I spoke. I knew I was stepping into dangerous territory.

“I can help you find a lawyer,” I said cautiously.

“I don’t have money for that,” he replied, his voice hardening. “I just told you.

“I know. But I can make it work.”

He looked at me with suspicion.

“How?”

“I could… I could take out a loan,” I said slowly, choosing my words. “In my name. To pay for the lawyer. And to clear the Tenuta’s debts once and for all. Fix everything.”

It was a lie, of course.

I didn’t need a loan: I already had the money. I spent that much on handbags I used twice or dinners I forgot the next day. I could solve Nick’s financial problems with a simple bank transfer.

But I couldn’t say that. Not without revealing everything.

His reaction was immediate and completely opposite of what I had expected.

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“You’re already doing too much for us,” he said, his voice turning cold in a way I had never heard before.” But I’m not accepting charity, Gwen.”

“It’s not charity,” I protested. “It’s a loan. You can pay me back when the inn improves. When things stabilize. We’ll figure it out.”

“A loan in your name,” he said, crossing his arms. “Putting your own credit at risk for problems that aren’t yours. I can handle my own issues, Gwen. I don’t need to go around accepting help from just anyone.”

Anger began to rise in my chest.

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“Just anyone?” I repeated.

“That’s not what I meant,” he said quickly, running a hand through his hair. “I’m just saying you’re… you’re just a friend. You’re not family. This isn’t your situation. You can’t just take on financial responsibility for…

“Just a friend,” I cut in, my voice louder now. “So that’s how you see me.”

“Gwen…”

“No.” I raised my hand, stopping him. “I understand that Renee coming back shook you. I really do. But answer me one thing, Nick.”

I stepped closer, forcing him to meet my eyes.

“Is this about her? Or is it about us?”

The silence that followed was deafening.

He looked at me for a long moment. I saw conflict in his eyes. Exhaustion. Confusion. But I didn’t see an

answer.

“Honestly,” he said at last, his voice low, “I’m not in the right headspace to think about that right now. I have too many problems. Too many worries. I can’t…”

He didn’t finish. He didn’t need to.

Something broke inside my chest.

“Fine,” I said, my voice surprisingly steady despite the pain. “Perfect. Then I’ll go back to Florentia. I’ll let you deal with your problems. Get your head straight.”

I started toward the house, then stopped and turned back to look at him one last time.

“Come find me when you’re ready,” I said. “Just don’t be surprised if it’s too late.”

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