Page 96 of Secret Baby for my Off-Limits Fiancé

Thecoolnightairwraps around me as I step onto the balcony, my heart hammering against my ribs.

I need air. I need to breathe, to think, to make sense of the chaos spiraling in my mind.

I grip the balcony railing, staring out at the dark vineyards, but all I can see is Valentino, his dark eyes searching mine when he proposed, his lips forming words that should have meant everything but felt like nothing.

And yet, the way he looked at me, was it really nothing?

The sound of his footsteps reaches me before he does.

"Layla…" His voice is soft, hesitant.

I don’t turn around. I don’t trust myself to face him, to look at him and not break apart.

He exhales, and his presence comes closer. "I had to get you away from all that… To talk."

I swallow, blinking at the vast darkness ahead. "What is there to talk about, Valentino?"

He hesitates. "Everything."

A humorless laugh escapes me. "Everything? Or the fact that we just lied to an entire room full of people who actually believe we’re in love?"

Silence.

"Or the fact that I don’t even know what’s real anymore?"

Still, silence.

"Or maybe," I whisper now, my fingers tightening around the railing, "we should talk about how I don’t like who I’ve become."

Finally, I turn to face him.

And it hurts.

Because he looks as wrecked as I feel.

His tie is loosened, his brows pulled together in a deep frown, and his hands are shoved into his pockets like he's trying to ground himself, like if he lets go, everything will come crumbling down.

"Layla…"

I shake my head, stepping back. "No. Just listen to me, Valentino. Because I have to say this, or I’ll never be able to."

His jaw clenches, but he nods.

I take a shuddering breath.

"I don’t recognize myself anymore. I used to think I was strong, that I had principles, but look at me." I let out a shaky laugh. "I lied about who I am, I kept a huge secret from you, I faked a relationship for money, God, I—"

My voice cracks, and I hate how raw I sound.

Valentino takes a step closer, but I hold up a hand. "Don’t."

His eyes flicker with something pained, but he doesn’t move.

"I did all of this for Vincent," I whisper. "For my son. Because I wanted him to have a better life. But what kind of mother am I if…”

I’m hiding him from his father?

Valentino stills. His throat bobs, his breathing shallow.

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