Page 134 of Secret Baby for my Off-Limits Fiancé

He’s standing at the front of the car, waiting for me, his brows drawing together as he watches my hesitation.

“I… I forgot my ring.” I’m still staring at my hand.

It shouldn’t matter, it was just a symbol of our arrangement, after all. So, why does it feel like something is off? Like a piece of me is missing?

Valentino studies me for a second, something unreadable flashing in his dark eyes. Then, without missing a beat, he tilts his head toward the house.

“Come on,” he says, shifting Vincent’s weight effortlessly in his arms. “Everyone’s waiting for us.”

I nod, brushing aside the lingering unease.

It’s just a ring, right? Nothing more.

I force a smile and follow him inside.

The moment we step into the house, the warm, welcoming atmosphere envelopes me.

The kitchen is alive with movement, Alessio and Enzo are deep in some kind of culinary chaos, their voices raised in animated discussion over the “perfect” pancake flip. Quinn stands by the counter, laughing as she watches them, and the sound is enough to make my tension melt away.

Alessio grins, spotting us. “There’s my little Vincent. Come on, bring him over.”

Valentino sets Vincent on the kitchen counter beside Alessio, and the sight before me is enough to make my heart swell.

Vincent claps his hands excitedly as Alessio flips a pancake mid-air, his small face lighting up with uncontainable joy.

Quinn moves to my side, nudging me lightly with her elbow. “I’m glad you came. For a moment, I thought you might not.”

My cheeks flush slightly, the earlier moment with my ring still fresh in my mind. “We just got a bit caught up.”

Quinn gives me a knowing smile but doesn’t press. “No worries. I’m just happy you’re here.”

Across the room, Valentino’s laughter echoes as he leans closer to Vincent. “Would you like a bite of pancake?” he asks, his tone teasing. “Or would you rather have some fruit first?”

“Both!” His enthusiasm is contagious.

I find myself smiling, watching the two of them interact.

The way Valentino looks at Vincent, with so much love and adoration, it’s a sight I’ll never get tired of.

There was a time when I feared Vincent would never have this, that he’d never know the kind of love a father could give. But now, seeing them together, my heart overflows with gratitude.

Vincent deserves this. And so does Valentino.

Breakfast passes in a blur of laughter, warmth, and easy conversation. It’s the first time in a long time I’ve felt so at peace, so surrounded by love.

And yet, beneath the happiness, I know there’s something important we need to do.

Something we’ve been putting off for far too long.

It’s time to tell Vincent the truth.

***

After breakfast, when the house quiets down, Valentino and I take Vincent aside, leading him to the sitting room.

He looks up at us with wide, curious eyes, completely oblivious to the weight of what we’re about to tell him.

My heart pounds in my chest, but I steady myself, reminding myself that this is the right thing to do.

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