Page 95 of Secret Baby for my Off-Limits Fiancé

I think about the way she looked at me tonight, not just when I proposed, but after. That hollow look in her eyes, the weight she carried, the way her fingers trembled.

I think about the way she leaned into me before she pulled away. The way she kissed me back, even though she knew she shouldn’t.

“Fuck.”

Dante smirks slightly. “Starting to connect the dots?”

I glare at him. “It’s not that simple.”

“Why not?”

“Because I don’t know what the hell this is anymore. I don’t even know if this is fair to either of us.”

Dante exhales slowly, nodding. “That’s the first rational thing you’ve said all night.”

I shoot him an unimpressed look.

“Look, if you’re this fucked up about it, you need to talk to her.” He nods toward Layla, who’s still standing with Quinn, still forcing that same polite smile. “Because whatever this is? It’s eating you both alive.”

I press my lips together, considering his words.

Dante pats my shoulder. “You’ve always been a control freak, Valentino. Always five steps ahead, always making decisions based on logic, not emotion.” He pauses, then tilts his head. “Maybe it’s time you let yourself feel for once.”

I stare at him for a long moment, his words sinking deep into my chest.

For once, I don’t have a smartass remark. Because fuck, maybe he’s right.

I turn back toward Layla, my mind racing.

She needs to know.

Whether or not she feels the same. Whether or not we both made a mistake…

She needs to know that I wasn’t lying when I said I love her.

I make my way toward her, pushing through the crowd of guests still buzzing from tonight’s events.

I stop beside her. “Layla.”

She looks up at me, blinking, her lips parting slightly.

For a moment, neither of us speaks.

But I see it now.

The same uncertainty. The same ache. The same fear of what comes next.

“Can we talk?” I ask.

Her lips press together. A flicker of hesitation. Then, finally, she nods.

She doesn’t take my arm when I offer it. She just walks ahead.

As we walk away from the crowd, I know deep down, everything is about to change.

21

LAYLA

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