Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 642

Chapter 642

Nicholas’ POV

I spent the entire night at the hospital.

Or at least I tried to. Security politely but firmly informed me that visiting hours were over and I had to

leave.

Christian stepped in and managed to get permission for me to stay in the private waiting room.

I slept maybe two hours on the couch, waking at every sound, every set of footsteps in the hallway, hoping it meant someone was coming to say Gwen had woken up.

No one came.

Early the next morning, Christian showed up with two coffees and a tired expression that probably

mirrored mine.

“You need real rest,” he said, handing me one of the cups. “In a bed. You won’t help anyone if you collapse too.”

“I’m fine,” I lied automatically.

“You’re not,” he replied bluntly. “And I understand. But you can’t stay here twenty-four hours a day for the next few days. Or weeks, if necessary.”

Weeks.

The word landed like a stone in my stomach.

Christian reached into his pocket and pulled out a silver key on a simple keychain.

“A copy of Gwen’s apartment key,” he explained, holding it out to me. “Stay there. Rest. Shower. Eat something decent. It’s closer to the hospital than driving back to Montelira every time. And honestly… you look like hell, and we don’t need another accident on the road.”

I stared at the key without taking it.

“I… wouldn’t feel comfortable,” I said hesitantly. “It’s her apartment. I don’t think I-”

“It’s your girlfriend’s apartment,” Zoey cut in, appearing out of nowhere with that infuriating ability she had to always be right. “Why exactly wouldn’t you feel comfortable?”

It sounded more like a challenge than a question.

“I…” I started, but I had no good answer.

“Exactly,” Zoey finished for me. “Take the key. Go there. Do what you need to do. Come back whenever you want. It’s that simple.”

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It wasn’t simple. Nothing about this was simple.

But eventually, I took the key from Christian.

“Thank you,” I murmured.

“You already know the address,” Christian said. “Call me if you need anything. If there’s any change in her condition, I’ll let you know immediately.”

I nodded and slipped the key into my pocket like it might burn through the fabric.

I drove to the apartment on autopilot.

Montclair Row. Historic palazzo. Wrought-iron gate.

The doorman recognized me this time.

“Mr. Valemont,” he greeted professionally. “Is Miss Gwen doing well? We heard about the accident.”

“She’s… stable,” I replied, the word feeling wrong in my mouth. “I’ll be staying in the apartment for a few

days.”

“Of course. If you need anything, we’re at your service.”

I went up to the penthouse, unlocked the door, and stepped inside.

The apartment looked exactly as I remembered. Bright. Elegant. Too quiet now.

It felt wrong being there without her.

I dropped the keys on the small table by the door and walked into the living room.

Everything was immaculate. No sign of recent life. She had left here for work and then… straight into the

accident.

I sat down on the large sofa and finally let the exhaustion crash over me.

I needed to call the estate. Martina had to be wondering where I was. Bella too.

I pulled out my phone and called Paula.

She answered on the second ring.

“Nick! Thank God. I was starting to worry. Are you okay? What happened?”

“Paula…” I began, not sure where to start. “Gwen was in an accident. A serious car accident. She’s in the hospital in Florentia.”

Stunned silence on the other end.

“Oh my God,” she finally said. “Is she… is she okay?”

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“Stable,” I repeated, hating the word more each time. “Medically induced coma. The surgery went well, but … it’s serious. It’s going to take time.”

“Nick, I’m so sorry,” Paula said sincerely. “What do you need? How can I help?”

“I need you to handle things at the estate for now,” I said. “Especially my mom and Bella. I’m staying in

Florentia until… until I know she’s out of danger.”

“Of course,” Paula assured me immediately. “I’ll do everything I can. Don’t worry about anything here.”

“Thank you,” I said, feeling real relief for the first time in hours.

I was quiet for a few seconds, debating.

“Listen…” I said finally. “There’s something I didn’t tell you.”

“What?” Paula asked, curiosity obvious.

I exhaled heavily.

“There’s no easy way to say this. Renee was right about one thing. Gwen comes from money. But it’s

more than that. A lot more.”

I paused, unintentionally dramatic.

“She’s a Kensington.”

Total silence.

Complete and absolute.

I could practically hear Paula putting the pieces together.

“Kensington as in…?” she started, her voice trailing off.

“Kensington as in Kensington Wineries,” I confirmed. “Exactly. Christian Kensington is her brother. She’s the COO of the company in Valentia.”

“What?!” Paula practically screamed. “How did you find out? When did you find out? Why didn’t you say anything before? Did she tell you? How did that even-?”

“Easy, easy,” I cut in gently. “Now’s not the time to explain all of that, okay? I just… I needed you to know. And I need another favor, Actually, one more on top of everything else.”

“Just tell me,” she said immediately.

I took a deep breath.

“I can’t focus on anything right now,” I admitted. “But I need you to look into something for me. Something about KWJ Holdings.”

“The company that bought the estate’s debt?” Paula asked, confusion clear in her voice.

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“Exactly,” I confirmed. “I need you to find out if KWJ Holdings is connected to the Kensingtons in any way. Any kind of link. Direct, indirect, I don’t care.”

There was a thoughtful pause on the other end of the line.

“You think Gwen had something to do with it?” Paula asked carefully.

“I don’t think anything,” I replied, my voice coming out sharper than I intended. I softened it a second later. “I just… I need answers. I need the truth.”

“Okay,” she said slowly. “I’ll look into it. I have a few contacts who might be able to dig something up. It may take some time, but I’ll find out whatever I can.”

“Thank you,” I said, meaning it.

“Nick…” She hesitated. “What are you going to do if it’s true? If there really is a connection?”

I looked out the massive window of Gwen’s apartment. Florentia stretched out in golden morning light.

An apartment worth a fortune. A life I could never give her. A world completely different from mine.

And if Renee had been right, Gwen had bought my debt.

She had literally bought me.

And still… she was the woman I loved.

The woman lying in a hospital bed right now, in a medically induced coma, and the only thing I wanted

was for her to come back to me.

I let out a long, exhausted breath.

“I don’t know.”

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