Page 130 of Secret Baby for my Off-Limits Fiancé

“I doubt we’ve seen the last of her,” I murmur.

But for now, I’ll take the win.

My father studies me for a long moment before asking, “How’s Vincent?”

At the mention of my son, my chest tightens with something softer, something more important than any land dispute.

“He’s recovering. Layla’s been incredible through all of this.”

“You should bring him by when he’s well,” Dad suggests, his smile warm. “We need to properly introduce him to the family.”

I hesitate, thinking about the word family. About how it no longer means just my father and siblings, but Layla and Vincent, too.

“I will,” I promise, then pause. “Actually… there’s something else I need to talk to you about. Mind if we step into my office?”

My father follows me without question, closing the door behind him as we enter.

“Do I need to be worried?” He studies me carefully.

I shake my head. “No. It’s about Layla.”

Dad’s brow furrows. “What about her?”

I take a breath, preparing myself. “She’s a Salvatore.”

His reaction is instant. He blinks, stunned, before letting out a low whistle. “A Salvatore?”

I nod. “She didn’t know either. Her mother kept it a secret from her. She only just found out.”

Dad exhales deeply, shaking his head. “Well, that’s unexpected…”

“To say the least.”

He leans against my desk, arms crossed. “And how do you feel about it?”

“It’s worked out for us. But there’s more.”

I shift my weight, feeling strangely nervous, but I need to come clean if I want a chance at a true family with Layla.

“Dad… The engagement… it wasn’t real.”

His eyes glint. “I figured as much.”

I blink. “You knew?”

“Come on, Valentino.” He chuckles, shaking his head. “You really think I wouldn’t notice? I’ve been around long enough to recognize when something doesn’t quite add up.”

“Then why didn’t you say anything?” I ask, genuinely confused.

He shrugs. “Because I saw the way you looked at her. And I saw the way she looked at you. Whatever the reason you started this, it became real. And that’s all that matters.”

I sit back, exhaling sharply. “I love her. And I know I do because I can’t even pinpoint the moment it happened. It just… was. Like it was always supposed to be.”

Dad’s face softens. “Love has a way of sneaking up on you like that.”

I nod, and then, hesitantly, I ask, “Did you know, right away, with Mom?”

A wistful smile crosses his lips, and he leans back in his chair, gazing off as if remembering something distant but vivid. “With your mother… it was like a storm. A beautiful, chaotic storm that turned my entire world upside down. From the moment I met her, I knew there was no going back.”

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