Page 14 of Secret Baby for my Off-Limits Fiancé

She smiles and joins the others.

That was close…

Later, in the office, Dad is already waiting with a stack of files. He looks tired, the bags under his eyes a silent testament to sleepless nights.

He looks up when we walk in. “What’s up?”

Micah chimes in with a laugh. “Your son here was a total rockstar when it came to impressing the investors today.”

Dad smiles, shaking his head. “I can see that. But I also wanted to invite both of you to a dinner party Quinn and I are hosting this week. It’s a chance for us to reconnect.”

Micah nods. “Fun! I wouldn’t miss one of your dinners for the world.”

Dad turns his attention to me. “Valentino, you must come. In fact, I was thinking this would be the perfect moment for you to introduce us to your girlfriend as well.”

Micah snorts. “Girlfriend?”

I shoot him a glare. “Yeah, um… of course.”

Dad smiles broadly. “Great, it’s settled, then.”

My stomach twists.

“Wait, since when do you have time to date?” Micah’s tone is laced with genuine surprise.

“Since when do I need to update you on every detail of my life?” I retort before turning to Dad. “She’d love to be there.”

“Excited to meet her.” Dad’s eyes twinkle.

Silence falls.

My mind races as I realize that now I must find a “girlfriend,” fast. I’ve promised my father, and I can’t back out easily. How the fuck am I supposed to find someone by the end of the week?

Then, as if from a long-forgotten memory, a face surfaces, a face I haven’t seen in years, yet have thought about more times than I care to admit.

“Oh, I almost forgot to ask…” Dad’s voice cuts through my reverie.

“Y-yeah?” I rub the sides of my arm.

He smiles warmly. “What’s her name? I don’t think you mentioned it before.”

Both Micah and Dad fix their gaze on me, expectant.

Without thinking, the words spill out, “Layla. Her name is Layla.”

For a moment, I freeze.

Then Dad’s face lights up. “Layla. Beautiful name. Quinn and I can’t wait to meet her.”

“Count me in too,” Micah teases. “I’d love to see who finally got Valentino to settle down.”

I look away, cheeks flushed with embarrassment and frustration.

This fucker’s asking for it, but I know I’ll deal with him later.

Dad beams. “Great.”

Now there’s only one thing left. I have to find Layla and persuade her to agree to my plan before the dinner party.

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