Page 119 of Secret Baby for my Off-Limits Fiancé

Mattia and a few of the other Salvatores have been in and out getting tested, keeping Layla company while I stepped away.

I never thought I’d say this, but I’m actually starting to get along with them.

They’re nothing like Silvano.

Mattia is easy to talk to. He’s calm, reasonable, not the kind of man I’d expect to come from that bloodline. Then there’s Emanuel, Silvano’s younger cousin, who’s been hovering around Layla, genuinely concerned about Vincent. Even Sofia, Mattia’s younger sister, has been bringing Layla food and coffee whenever she gets the chance.

Maybe I misjudged them. Maybe Silvano was the outlier.

When we step into Vincent’s hospital room, he’s awake.

His tiny body looks even smaller against the vast whiteness of the sheets, but his eyes brighten slightly. “Mommy.”

Layla is by his side in an instant, brushing her fingers through his hair.

“Hey, sweetheart.”

Vincent blinks up at her, then looks past her at me. “You came back.”

Something in my chest tightens.

“Of course, buddy.” I sit beside the bed, reaching for his hand. “I told you I’d always be here.”

His fingers, so small in mine, curl around my hand weakly.

God. He’s been through so much, and all I want to do is fix it.

Layla watches the interaction, something undeniable in her eyes. Maybe she’s realizing, just as I am, how much this little boy means to both of us.

She reaches out, covering my hand with hers.

And this time, neither of us pulls away.

After Vincent falls back asleep, I exhale sharply and make a decision.

“Come with me.”

She blinks, turning her head slightly. “What?”

“Let’s get out of here for a bit.” I stand, reaching for her hand. “There’s a pond nearby. Just a short walk.”

She hesitates. I can tell she’s unsure whether she should leave, even for a few minutes, but eventually, she nods. “Okay.”

The night air is crisp, cool against our skin as we step outside. The hospital lights fade into the distance as we walk down the quiet pathway toward the pond.

Neither of us speaks at first, but the silence between us isn’t uncomfortable. It’s waiting.

The pond shimmers under the moonlight, the surface still except for the occasional ripple from a passing breeze.

Layla stops by the edge, wrapping her arms around herself.

I take a breath, my heart pounding.

Now or never.

Before I can say anything, Layla interrupts, “I owe you an explanation.”

“I wish I could say that you were the only reason that I kept this a secret,” she begins with a deep sigh. “But I guess I had my own shit holding me back.”

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