Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 743

Chapter 743 Extra 12

Zoey’s POV

London was waking up the way London always does. Pale light slipping through the window like it was too polite to be called sunlight. The sky that same permanent gray.

But inside Annie’s house, there was warmth that didn’t come from the heating.

It came from the fact that, for a few hours, I got to just be a sister.

The kitchen was already alive when I walked in. Fresh coffee in the air. Fruit abandoned on a plate. A pitcher of juice someone

had set on the table.

Annie was sitting with her legs tucked under her, wearing a sweatshirt, hair tied up in a messy bun, holding her mug like it was part of her identity.

I had my mug too.

Except I wasn’t drinking.

I was staring at the coffee like it might give me answers.

Annie took a sip, studied me over the rim, and made that face that said, ‘I’m not going to push-but I’m absolutely reading you..

“That’s going to get cold,” she said calmly.

“I know.”

“No, you don’t,” she corrected. “You’re looking at that coffee like it’s a test too.”

I let out a breath through my nose. Almost a laugh.

“Did Nate leave early?” I asked, just to say something that wasn’t pregnant, betrayed, divorced.

Annie nodded.

“Just left.” She raised a brow. “Said he’s bringing that risotto you like on his way back.”

So it was just me and her. For now.

The kids were at daycare with the nannies-including my Matt, who went as a “guest,” because Annie had one of those London mom networks that somehow made everything feel easy. Matt had gone way too excited for someone who, until yesterday, clung to me like I was the only solid thing in the world.

I wasn’t sure if that made me proud or dizzy.

I was still stuck in that in-between feeling when I heard the front door open with the unmistakable lack of subtlety of someone who arrives fast and already feels at home.

Matthew’s voice came first. Loud. Victorious. Like he was announcing a prize.

“Alright! Got the three tests you asked for-”

I turned my head, and there he was. Jacket over his arin, hair a mess, a pharmacy bag in his hand like it was some ridiculous trophy.

“…is this the tradition now?” he asked, half amused.

Annie pointed at him with her mug, perfectly composed.

“It is.”

I said it at the same time as her, like it was an official ceremony, “It is.”

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Matthew dropped the bag on the table and looked at me with that expression that mixed I love you with you’ve lost your mind.

Annie lined up the boxes neatly on the table and finally looked at me-really looked.

“Do you want to do it now?” she asked.

My stomach tightened. Because now felt like a very big word.

It was morning. I’d held my first pee of the day, waiting to know the truth… even though my heart already did.

“I don’t know if ‘want’ is the right word…” I murmured.

Matthew leaned forward, both hands on the table, like he could angle sarcasm directly into my brain.

“Zoey,” he said, patient and ruthless. “We crossed an ocean so you could pee on a stick. ‘Want’ is absolutely the word.”

Annie let out a soft laugh, but her eyes turned gentle. She always did that. Laughed to soften the moment, then held you steady so you wouldn’t fall.

I laughed too. Short. Nervous.

“Okay,” I said, lifting my mug like a toast. “Alright. No pressure, right?”

“No pressure,” Annie repeated, standing up. She walked over and held out her hand. Simple. Steady. “Come on.”

I paused for a second, just looking at her hand.

Then I took it.

Because the truth was, I was too scared to pretend I didn’t need someone.

Matthew grabbed the boxes and followed us like this had always been part of the ritual.

We went upstairs to Annie’s room. At the bathroom door, she stopped and looked at me like I was a kid again.

“First morning urine, right?” she asked, practical.

“Yes.”

“Good.” She nodded toward the door. “Go. We’ll stay here.”

I walked into the bathroom and closed the door behind me. Took a deep breath.

I followed the instructions like I was defusing a bomb. Opened it. Used it. Set the test carefully on the sink like it was something fragile and not… a possible verdict.

I could hear them outside.

“This time,” Annie said loudly, like I wasn’t two feet away, “I’m making her pick a name similar to mine.”

I laughed under my breath, despite everything.

Matthew answered immediately:

“That’s a privilege reserved for the favorite sibling.”

“Oh please!” Annie shot back. “I am the favorite. I’m both your favorite.”

“In your dreams,” Matthew said, laughing. “I’m the favorite because I cross oceans. You just cross the street.”

“I cross your patience,” Annie replied, and I could hear the smile in her voice.

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Chopper 743 Ita 12

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“That you do!” he agreed.

I braced my hands against the sink and stared at the test like looking at it might make time move faster.

Three minutes.

Three minutes was too long and no time at all.

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