Page 99 of Secret Baby for my Off-Limits Fiancé

It feels like we’re broken up, yet here he is, by my side. But why? Out of obligation? Out of guilt?

Or… something else?

I don’t ask. It doesn’t matter right now. Only Vincent matters.

So, I just sit there, drowning in my own guilt, staring blankly at the engagement ring still on my finger.

It feels like a chain, a reminder of all the wrong choices I’ve made.

The car comes to a stop outside the hospital.

I barely wait for it to fully park before I throw open the door and stumble out. My legs are shaky, unsteady, and I nearly trip,

Until Valentino catches me.

His hands tighten around my arms, his body pressing close to steady me.

“Careful,” he murmurs, his voice low, gentle.

For a moment, we just stand there. Close enough to feel the heat radiating off each other, but so distant it feels like an ocean separates us.

I nod, pulling away first. The loss of warmth feels like a slap.

I don’t look back as I rush inside.

The hospital’s sterile walls seem too bright, the smell of disinfectant’s too strong, the air too cold.

My mother and Giana are waiting in the lobby. The moment I see them, I crumble.

“Mom,” I collapse into her arms, my voice breaking. “What happened to Vincent?”

She strokes my hair, but I can feel her shaking too. “We don’t know yet, honey. One minute he was resting, the next, he was struggling to breathe.”

I squeeze my eyes shut.

Oh God.

Giana places a hand on my back. “He’s in the ICU. The doctors are running tests. He’s in good hands, Layla.”

That doesn’t make this any easier.

I can barely breathe.

Suddenly, there’s a presence beside me.

Valentino.

He doesn’t touch me this time. He just stands close enough to be there, but not close enough to comfort me.

The awareness of him is unbearable.

We aren’t together anymore, not really. But he’s still here, still acting like he should be.

The weight of our conversation at the party still lingers between us.

He’s standing beside me like none of it happened, like we’re still… something.

Are we still together? Are we still playing our parts?

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