Page 29 of Secret Baby for my Off-Limits Fiancé

Perfect.

It’ll be the ideal time to solidify our story, to make it clear to everyone that Layla is mine.

I get out of bed, determined to make today as productive as possible.

***

The air is crisp, the sky clear. The vineyard stretches out before me, rows of grapevine swaying gently in the breeze.

Running always helps me process things, and today is no exception.

As I jog into town, I pass Maestro Giovanni, the local wine shop owner, sweeping in front of his store.

He spots me immediately. “Valentino! In a rush this morning?”

I slow my pace.

Giovanni is infamous for gossiping, if he’s talking to you, he already knows your business.

“I hear Eva’s in town.” He eyes me curiously.

“She is?”

Giovanni nods, a knowing smile playing on his lips. “Be careful with that one. Just like her father.”

I stiffen slightly.

“Did you know Emilio, was in prison for three decades?” Giovanni continues. “Robbery with violence and fraud.”

I mask my surprise. “That so?”

He nods. “Nothing happens in this town without me knowing about it.”

I force a tight smile. “I’m sure.”

With a quick goodbye, I head back toward the office, Giovanni’s words lingering in my mind.

What does Eva want?

I think of calling my dad to ask. Surely, he must know something. But then, I stop myself.

The man just had a baby. I think he has enough on his plate right now for me to pile on even more things. Besides, I should deal with it myself. If I’m going to be a CEO, then I need to learn to deal with this myself.

***

By the time I return to the office, freshly showered and changed, the Eva situation has escalated.

I’m summoned to the conference room, where my father sits with a team of lawyers.

I take one look at his expression and know it’s bad.

“Valentino, where were you?”

I drop into a chair. “Out for a run. I needed to clear my head.”

He presses his lips together, rubbing his temples. “Are you aware of the claims Eva is making?”

“Not yet. What’s going on?”

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