Page 92 of Secret Baby for my Off-Limits Fiancé

Because I see it, the same look I’m sure is on my own face.

Disbelief. Uncertainty. Maybe even regret.

And before I can process it, before I can breathe, a sudden commotion erupts outside.

Shouts. Loud voices. Something crashes.

I freeze.

Valentino stiffens beside me.

Our eyes lock.

Something is wrong.

Without a word, we both move toward the source of the noise.

And I already know, our problems are only beginning.

20

VALENTINO

Themomentwestepoutside onto the porch, the source of the commotion becomes painfully clear.

Eva is here, her face twisted with anger, flanked by a small group of her so-called supporters.

Her voice cuts through the night like a blade, slicing through the fragile air of the evening. “Why wasn’t I invited?” Her body is rigid with fury. “I’m family, aren’t I? Or do the Marchettis only care about those who serve their interests?”

The voices of the dinner guests murmur behind me, hushed whispers of tension spreading like wildfire.

Dad steps forward, his expression composed but laced with irritation. “Eva, this is neither the time nor the place. We’re having a private gathering. You need to leave before you make a spectacle of yourself.”

“Spectacle?” Eva sneers, her voice dripping with mockery. “The only spectacle here is your family, and your refusal to acknowledge what’s rightfully mine. You think you can just erase me, Enzo? Like I never existed? Like my grandfather never existed? His name was also on the land title as well.”

Eva scoffs, arms crossed tightly over her chest, laughing bitterly. “No, wait, let me guess. You just don’t want me to be associated with the perfect little image of the Marchetti dynasty.”

“Enough.” My tone drops dangerously low. “Eva, you are trespassing. If you don’t leave now, we’ll have no choice but to call the police.”

Her gaze snaps to me, her expression hardening. “And if I refuse, Valentino? You’ll have your guards drag me out like a criminal? That’s what this family does, right? Uses power and wealth to erase people they don’t want?”

“You’re not being erased. You’ve done that to yourself.”

Her lips curl into a venomous smirk. “And whose fault is that? We come from two different worlds. I was never given the same privileges as you, as your golden Marchetti heirs. My family’s name was dragged through the mud while yours was praised.”

A sharp thrumming floods my ears, drowning out the gasps from the guests behind me.

Not getting the reaction she’s hoping for, she pushes harder. “And your precious mother, Valentina, wasn’t the saint you all pretend she was,” Eva sneers, taking a step closer. “She played the game better than anyone, sleeping with both Silviano and your father to gain wealth. If anyone is to blame for this family’s downfall, it’s her.”

My blood turns molten. A white-hot rage erupts from my chest, choking out every rational thought.

“Keep your lies to yourself and my mother’s name out of your mouth.” My voice is lethal, low and sharp as a blade.

Eva smirks, her eyes glittering with cruel satisfaction. She knows she hit her mark. But she has no idea what the fuck she just unleashed.

“She wasn’t so pure, Valentino. She was just better at hiding her sins. Maybe if she wasn’t a slut, she wouldn’t have ended up—”

I move so fast I barely register it myself.

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