Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 649

Chapter 649

Nicholas’ POV

The drive back to Florentia was a blur of chaotic thoughts and endless road I barely registered.

Custody petition.

Renee trying to take Bella from me.

Claims of instability. Of debt. Of Gwen having financial control over our home.

Of the fire putting my daughter in danger.

Every line of that legal document replayed in my head on a cruel, endless loop.

I drove on autopilot. Entered Florentia. Parked at the hospital. Took the elevator up to Gwen’s floor.

All mechanical. My mind somewhere else.

But the moment I opened the door and saw her-

Sitting up in bed. Propped up by pillows. Fully awake. Looking at me with those eyes I knew so well-

Everything stopped.

She was still pale. Yellowing bruises fading across her face. Her arm immobilized. But she was

conscious. Present. Alive.

“Nick,” she said my name with relief and something stronger. Determination.

I crossed the room in three long strides and leaned down carefully, wrapping my arms around her without hurting her.

She slipped her good arm around my neck and pulled me closer.

“You came back,” she murmured against my shoulder.

“Of course,” I said automatically, my voice thick. “Where else would I want to be but here with you?”

We stayed like that for a long moment. Just holding each other. Just breathing.

Eventually I pulled back enough to really look at her. I brushed my fingers gently along the unbruised

side of her cheek.

“I can’t believe I almost lost you,” I confessed, emotion tightening painfully in my throat. “When I got that call saying you were in surgery, I-”

I couldn’t finish.

Gwen cupped my face with her good hand, forcing me to look at her.

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“I’m here,” she said firmly. “I’m alive. I’m coming back. You didn’t lose me.”

“But I almost did,” I insisted, haunted by the alternative reality. “You almost died, Gwen. You almost-*

“I know,” she cut in softly. “Believe me, I know. When the car flipped, when I felt the impact, when everything went black… I only thought about one thing.”

“What?”

“You,” she said simply. “Seeing you again. Not letting our last conversation be a rushed voice message. Having more time. More days. More everything.”

My eyes burned, but I held it together.

“What were you thinking, driving like that?” I asked, frustration slipping through the emotion. “The truck driver gave a statement. Said you were speeding. In the opposite lane. Trying to pass recklessly.”

She looked away briefly.

“I needed to talk to you,” she said quietly. “I needed to get to you before-”

She stopped. Took a breath. Tried again.

“Before…”

The words died again.

“Nothing is important enough for you to risk your life like that,” I said firmly. “Nothing, Gwen. Nothing is worth that.”

She looked straight at me now, serious and unwavering.

“But it was,” she insisted. “Because it wasn’t just about me. It was about your life. And Bella’s. Everything

was at stake.”

I frowned.

“What are you talking about?”

I saw something shift in her expression. Decision. Fear Resolve.

She inhaled deeply, visibly gathering strength.

“I need to tell you something,” she began carefully. “About… about the estate’s debt.”

My stomach tightened instantly.

So this was it.

She was going to confess. Finally tell me the truth.

“I…” she continued, choosing her words with painful care. “I did something I should have told you from

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the beginning. Something that-”

“I already know everything,” I cut in, unable to watch her struggle through it.

Gwen froze.

Her eyes widened.

“You… what?”

“I know,” I repeated, calmer this time. “I know you bought my debt. I know about KWJ Holdings. I know everything.”

The little color she had drained from her face.

“You know?” she echoed weakly. “You know that I…”

She couldn’t finish. She just stared at me, shock and something dangerously close to panic in her eyes.

“I know,” I confirmed again.

“And you’re still…” Her voice faltered. “You’re still here? You still-”

I understood the question she couldn’t say out loud.

I took her hand gently in both of mine.

“I’m here to stay, Gwen,” I said with complete certainty. “No matter what. I love you. That doesn’t change.”

Tears spilled down her cheeks.

“But,” I added, because it had to be said, “we can’t keep doing this. No more lies. No more omissions. It has to end. Full trust. Full transparency. Or we don’t survive this.”

She nodded quickly, wiping her tears with her good hand.

“You’re right,” she said hoarsely. “You’re completely right. And I swear to you, Nick. I’m not hiding anything else. I won’t. Not ever again.”

I wanted to believe that completely. I wanted to feel relief.

But there was still something heavy between us.

“I am, though,” I admitted.

She frowned.

“What?”

“I’m the one hiding something now,” I clarified. “I just found out today. Literally today. But I need to tell you immediately. No omissions, like I said.”

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Her body tensed.

“What happened?”

I took a breath.

“Renee filed a lawsuit,” I said carefully. “A petition to modify custody. She’s asking for full custody of

Bella.”

I watched the exact moment the words landed.

Shock.

Horror.

Guilt.

Gwen squeezed her eyes shut, a long, trembling breath leaving her.

When she opened them again, they were shining with fresh tears.

“This is my fault,” she said simply.

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