Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 647

Chapter 647

Gwen’s POV

Waking up for real was different from just opening my eyes.

The first few days were hazy. Fragmented. Consciousness coming and going in uneven waves.

I remember voices. Blurred faces. Pain that seemed to radiate from everywhere at once.

I remember Nick holding my hand. Christian telling me to stay calm. Doctors asking questions I couldn’t fully process.

But now, five days after I first woke up, I was finally clear.

I was still weak and in pain, but present and aware. I understood where I was and why.

Private hospital. Private room. Car accident.

The pieces had come together slowly.

Christian and Zoey were sitting in the chairs beside my bed when I opened my eyes that Tuesday morning.

“Good morning, sleepyhead,” Zoey said with a soft smile. “How are you feeling today?”

“Like I flipped a car,” I replied, my voice still hoarse and thin. “Oh wait. That’s exactly what happened.”

Christian gave a faint smile.

“Your sense of humor’s back. That’s a good sign.”

I tried to shift in bed, but every movement sent waves of pain through my body. My left arm was immobilized. My ribs protested. My head throbbed.

Zoey immediately stood and carefully adjusted the pillows behind me.

“Easy,” she instructed gently. “You’re still recovering from major surgery. Don’t push it.”

I accepted her help with quiet gratitude, finally managing to sit in a tolerable half-upright position.

“Where’s Nick?” I asked, glancing around like he might be hiding somewhere.

“He went to Montelira to check on a few things,” Christian answered calmly. “But he’s been here every day. Multiple times a day, actually. He’s practically been living here.”

I smiled faintly at that.

“I know,” I admitted. “Even when I was more out of it, I knew he was here I could hear his voice.”

“You were too weak for long conversations,” Zoey explained. “But he would sit here for hours. Just holding your hand. Talking to you.”

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Something tightened in my chest. Warm and aching all at once.

“Montelira,” I repeated, processing. “Why did he go there?”

Christian and Zoey exchanged a quick look.

The kind of look that screams we have news.

“What?” I pressed, tension creeping in. “What happened?”

Christian exhaled and pulled his chair closer to the bed.

“There was a fire at the estate,” he said directly. “Part of the main house. A few nights ago.”

My stomach dropped.

“A fire? But… Bella? Martina? The-”

“Everyone’s fine,” Christian cut in quickly, raising a reassuring hand. “No one was hurt. Bella and Martina were sleeping in the opposite wing. They got out safely. The guests too.”

I took a slow breath, trying to absorb it.

“How bad is the damage?”

“Significant,” Christian admitted honestly. “But we’re already handling the reconstruction. Architect, contractor, everything’s in motion.”

“Where are Bella and Martina now?” I asked immediately.

Zoey smiled.

“At your apartment. Christian insisted. They’re safe and comfortable. Bella is completely in love with your pool, by the way. She doesn’t want to leave it.”

I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

“My pool,” I murmured, picturing Bella splashing around on the terrace.

“Nick agreed after a little resistance,” Christian added. “I told him you’d want that. That you’d want to

know they were well taken care of.”

“Of course I would,” I said without hesitation. “Of course.

I fell quiet for a few seconds, absorbing everything.

”

“There’s more, isn’t there?” I said, narrowing my eyes slightly at my brother. “You have that face. The

there’s more news’ face.”

Christian smiled faintly.

“Nick and I closed a deal,” he revealed. “A business partnership. Valemont Estate is joining the

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Kensington Group as an associated line. ‘By the Kensington Group’ will appear on the label, but the brand keeps its own identity.”

I blinked.

“You did what?”

“He came to me before your accident,” Christian explained calmly. “Asked for help growing the estate. He said he didn’t want to feel… inadequate. In your world. Those were his words. We talked. I made an offer. He said maybe. After the fire, with everything happening, he decided to accept.”

I looked from Christian to Zoey, my mouth slightly open.

“You did all of that while I was unconscious?” I asked, caught between disbelief and reluctant admiration.

Zoey laughed.

“See?” she teased. “Sometimes the world doesn’t collapse when you stop micromanaging every detail.”

I rolled my eyes, which was a mistake because pain shot through my head.

“Ouch,” I muttered, bringing my good hand to my temple.

“Easy,” Zoey said gently.

I took a slow breath, trying to organize my thoughts.

Fire at the estate. Bella and Martina in my apartment. Nick and Christian in business together.

My world had literally shifted while I was asleep.

“How is he?” I asked after a moment. “Nick. Is he… okay?”

Christian hesitated almost imperceptibly.

“He’s dealing with a lot,” he said carefully. “The accident. The estate. The new partnership. Being in a completely different environment. But he’s okay. He’s resilient.”

There was something he wasn’t saying. I knew my brother well enough to hear the gap.

But I didn’t have the energy to chase subtext right now.

“And the investigation?” I asked instead. “Do they know what caused the fire?”

“The police are still investigating,” Christian said. “But arson is the leading theory.”

My blood ran cold.

“Arson? Someone did that on purpose?”

“It’s not confirmed yet,” he said quickly. “But it’s a strong possibility. Our lawyer is following everything closely.”

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Arson.

Someone had tried to burn down the house where Bella slept.

Anger simmered instantly.

“When I get out of this bed,” I said, my voice stronger despite my body’s weakness, “I’m going to find out who did it. And they’re going to regret it.”

Zoey gave me a half-smile.

“Easy, warrior princess. First you recover. Then you can declare war.”

She was right. Rationally, I knew she was.

But every instinct in me wanted to get up, take control, fix everything.

“Life forced me to stop,” I said, gesturing vaguely at the hospital room. “Forced me to rest. To let go.”

I let out a humorless little laugh.

“But now I just want to get out of this bed and take control again. And believe me, there’s a lot I need to set straight.”

Christian and Zoey exchanged an amused look.

“There she is,” Christian said warmly. “Welcome back, little sister.”

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