Page 91 of Secret Baby for my Off-Limits Fiancé

Is he okay???

Giana:

He’s sleeping. Relax and enjoy ur evening.

I exhale, shoulders slumping slightly. I try to focus, but my mind won’t let me. I barely touch my food, my fingers curling around the stem of my wine glass, feeling restless.

Then, Valentino leans in. “It’s almost time. Are you ready?”

I open my mouth to respond, but the words don’t come. Because the answer is no. I’m not ready.

Enzo clears his throat, raising his glass. “It’s so good to finally have the whole family together.” He looks around the room with pride. “And to have our newest member, Layla, here as well. I could not have imagined a better night.”

I smile, even as my stomach twists itself into knots. The weight of this lie is suffocating.

Then, without warning, Valentino stands up.

My heart skips a beat.

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out the small velvet box.

What is he doing? This wasn’t the plan. He was supposed to wait until later. Until I was ready.

My breath catches as he kneels beside me.

Gasps ripple through the room.

This isn’t how it’s supposed to go.

“Layla.” His voice remains steady, but his eyes betray something deeper, something like doubt. “I cannot wait to do this any longer.”

I swallow hard.

“You’ve been like a shot of sunshine ever since the day you walked into my life. It’s been an amazing adventure with you every single day, and I want us to take the next step.”

My pulse hammers.

Is he acting? Or is there truth in his words?

“Layla, will you marry me?”

Everything stills.

The room falls silent.

All eyes are on me.

My chest rises and falls too fast, my vision tunneling.

My mind screams at me to stop this before it spirals further.

But my lips part, and I hear myself whisper a hesitant, “Yes.”

The room erupts into cheers. Applause. Clapping. Excited voices congratulating us. People rushing forward, embracing us, kissing my cheeks.

But I feel numb.

I glance at Valentino, and my heart stops.

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