Page 41 of Baby Surprise for my Brother's Best Friend

And I almost kiss her.

Almost.

“She’s just his latest flavor,” one of the socialites purrs, her voice laced with faux sympathy and sharpened cruelty. “Didn’t the last one leave crying? Or was she paid to disappear?”

Her friend chuckles behind her champagne flute. “Either way, give it a month. He’ll be on to the next one with longer legs and a thinner waist.”

The words crack the moment like a whip.

Sophie stiffens. Her hand slips from mine. She steps back.

"Soph, wait.Dolcezza."

She turns and walks away, but I don’t go after her.

Not because I don’t want to.

But because I don’t know how to explain the weight pressing into my chest. The ache behind my ribs that flares the second her fingers slip from mine.

I’ve heard worse things said about me. Hell, I’ve earned worse.

But this time?

It’s different.

Because it’s her.

And after the way I’ve been behaving, maybe they’re not wrong. I was just a playboy with a short attention span and a long list of sins.

I've been reckless with a woman's hearts before. I'm kind of guy who crashes into women’s lives and leaves them wrecked. Not caring about the consequences. Because they didn’t matter. Nothing did. Not even me.

But watching Sophie walk away like that, chin lifted, mouth tight, trying to pretend like the words didn’t slice her open? It stings in a way I didn’t expect. Because in that moment, I see it.

Shedidbelieve in me, maybe more than I deserve.

And now, I’ve watched that belief crack. It scares the hell out of me… because no one's ever looked at me like I could be more.

Except her.

It fucking hurts.

I don’t want to be the man they believe me to be. I want to be the one who’s worthy of her. Even if I don’t know how. Not anymore.

As soon as my legs decide to start moving to chase after her, an announcement comes. Unexpected, loud, and echoing across the ballroom like a bomb wrapped in charm.

Nikolai Sokolov is standing at the front of the room. He raises his glass, his voice carrying above the hum of the crowd. “Tonight’s most generous donation comes from none other than Mr. Alessio Marchetti.”

Heads turn. Murmurs ripple through the room.

Every stare, every whisper curls like smoke in my direction.

I glance at Sophie.

She’s across the room, half in shadow, her expression unreadable. She wasn't aware of this.

I was able to sweet-talk Valentino into making a charitable donation on my behalf, along with getting me a custom suit for this occasion.

Thank god for my tailor, an absolute stud for sending me a tux this short notice.

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