Page 63 of Secret Baby for my Off-Limits Fiancé

And she whispers, “I think I’m falling in love with you, too.”

My heart slams against my ribs.

I don’t move. I don’t breathe.

I just look at her. At the woman who was supposed to be nothing more than a business deal. At the woman who somehow, against all logic and reason, has become my entire world.

And just like that, everything changes.

15

LAYLA

Ifyouhadtoldme a year ago that I’d be here, falling hard and fast for a man like Valentino Marchetti, I would have laughed in your face.

Love was something that happened in movies, fairy tales, or to people much luckier than me. Love was a concept I had always kept at arm’s length, watching from the sidelines as others found it, basked in it, and sometimes, shattered beneath it.

It wasn’t for me.

But this weekend? When Valentino looked into my eyes, whispered those words, confessed without hesitation…

It was like the ground beneath me shifted.

Had I expected it? No.

Was it a good idea? Absolutely not.

Was I letting myself fall deeper for him, despite everything? A resounding yes.

And that was terrifying.

Because what happens when the deal ends? What happens when he realizes the one thing I’ve been keeping from him all along?

The secret that could tear everything apart.

I shake my head, forcing myself out of the storm of thoughts, focusing on something else. My boutique.

The scent of fresh paint and polished wood fills the air as I step back, taking in the boutique with fresh eyes. The transformation is nothing short of incredible, a true labor of love.

Three weeks ago, this place had been a disaster. Water damage had warped the floors, the walls were stained with ugly streaks, and the shelves had been falling apart at the seams.

Now? Now, it’s my dream brought back to life.

The once cracked, faded walls are now coated in a soft, elegant ivory, reflecting the warm glow of the recessed lighting above. I had the ceiling redone, swapping out the old yellowing fluorescent lights for gold-rimmed fixtures that cast a beautiful, inviting glow throughout the shop.

The floors that were warped and dull, have been replaced with rich oak planks, their polished surface gleaming under the lights. The wood brings a warmth to the space that makes it feel cozy, yet upscale.

I run my fingers along the custom-built shelving units that now line the walls, replacing the rickety, unstable ones I had before. They’re made of light ash wood, sleek and minimalistic, designed to display each gown like a work of art.

In the center of the boutique, a stunning glass display case houses my most intricate designs, with delicate spotlights highlighting the delicate beading, hand-stitched lace, and flowing chiffon that adorn each dress. My dresses. My designs. My work.

And then there’s the fitting area.

I had the old, cramped fitting rooms demolished entirely and replaced them with spacious, curtained alcoves, each one equipped with a full-length mirror framed in gold, plush seating for guests, and elegant sconces casting a soft, flattering glow.

It feels luxurious. It feels like a boutique worthy of the women who step through its doors.

My boutique. My dream.

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