Page 78 of Secret Baby for my Off-Limits Fiancé
He doesn’t blink. Doesn’t break eye contact.
My pulse hammers in my throat.
Slowly, my eyes glued to his, I raise my glass and take a tiny sip.
His jaw tightens.
“Ok, that’s enough of the games,” Valentino mutters, shifting closer. His body heat radiates through me. Then, his voice drops. “Do you ever think about your dad?”
My breath hitches.
“Why are you asking?”
His hand brushes over mine. “I've been thinking about my mother a lot lately. With everything happening with Eva, it made me realize how much I miss her and that she’s gone. And I can’t change that.”
I swallow hard.
“But you…” His voice softens. “You never got to know your dad at all. I can’t imagine what that must be like.”
I freeze.
He has no idea.
He has no idea that just like my mom did to me, I’m keeping his identity from my own son.
And I’m also keeping his son from him. The truth from him.
My throat tightens. “It’s not something I like talking about.”
He nods. "Fair enough."
But then he says something that almost breaks me.
“How could any man live with himself, knowing that he has a child out there somewhere, and choose not to be a part of his life?”
I choke on air.
I reach for my wine, downing the rest in one gulp.
"Layla?" His brows furrow. “You okay?”
I nod quickly. “I need another drink.”
He watches me for a moment, concerned. Then, he shifts the mood entirely. His hand slides onto my thigh.
"Fine," he murmurs, his voice darker, heavier. "If we’re done with deep conversations, let’s talk about something else."
I breathe in sharply. “Like what?”
He grins wickedly. "Like all the ways I'm going to ruin you tonight."
18
VALENTINO
"She'sgrowingupsofast."
I stand in my father’s house, watching as he cradles baby Mira in his arms, gently burping her after what must have been a big feeding.
