The Double Life of My Pregnant Ex-Wife (Carmen and Marco) novel Chapter 15

Carmen stood in the quiet garden of Vincent Rossi’s countryside estate, her hands tucked deep into the folds of her coat as the morning chill brushed against her cheeks. The sky above was gray, promising rain, and the weight of unfinished business lingered in the air. Her thoughts swirled like the leaves caught in the breeze—memories of Marco, of their broken promises, and of the growing storm she could no longer ignore.

The sound of gravel crunching beneath footsteps pulled her from her thoughts. Carmen turned, her shoulders tensing as Sofia De Luca stepped into view. The woman moved with quiet elegance, her sleek black coat hugging her slender frame.

“You shouldn’t be here,” Carmen said carefully, her tone guarded.

“I know.” Sofia’s voice was calm, but her expression betrayed urgency as she stepped closer. “I had to speak to you. Alone.”

Carmen tilted her head, studying the woman in front of her. Sofia was no friend of hers—she was Arianna’s ally and a De Luca strategist. This was dangerous, and Sofia knew it.

“And what do we have to talk about?” Carmen asked, her voice steady.

Sofia stopped a few feet away, her gaze sharp but imploring. “Arianna,” she said simply. “She’s taken control of everything, Carmen. She’s using Marco like a puppet, and he doesn’t even see it.”

Carmen’s stomach tightened, but she kept her face neutral. “Why are you telling me this?”

“Because someone has to.” Sofia glanced briefly over her shoulder, as though making sure they were alone. “Arianna is pushing Marco toward a war he won’t survive. She’s manipulating him, convincing him the De Lucas are the only threat. Meanwhile, she’s using her influence to dismantle the Venetti family from the inside.”

Carmen swallowed hard, her mind racing. “Why would you betray her? You’re loyal to the De Luca name.”

Sofia let out a quiet sigh, her expression softening. “Because Arianna doesn’t care about loyalty. She doesn’t care about the De Luca family. This is about her and her alone. She’s turning Marco’s empire into her own playground, and when it collapses, she’ll walk away without a second thought.”

Carmen looked away, her fingers tightening around the edge of her coat. “Why come to me? Marco doesn’t listen to me anymore.”

“Because he will if you return,” Sofia said, her voice urgent. “You’re the only one who can stop this. Marco’s blind to Arianna, but he isn’t blind to you—not completely. If you wait too long, there won’t be anything left of the Venetti family for him to save.”

Carmen’s chest ached at Sofia’s words. Images of Marco flashed in her mind—Marco at the fountain, drenched and laughing; Marco’s hand on her waist during their first dance; Marco’s face twisted with hurt the last time they spoke. The thought of him falling apart under Arianna’s control made her sick.

“I can’t just walk back into that house,” Carmen said, her voice softer now. “Marco doesn’t trust me. He’ll think I’m trying to manipulate him, just like Arianna.”

Sofia stepped closer, her tone firm but not unkind. “Then make him believe you. Bring him the truth, Carmen, before Arianna buries it so deep he can’t see it.”

The two women stood in silence for a moment, the weight of Sofia’s words pressing down on Carmen like a stone. Finally, Sofia reached into her coat pocket and pulled out a small envelope, handing it to her.

“What is this?” Carmen asked warily.

“A start,” Sofia replied. “Proof of Arianna’s dealings with the De Luca family. Offshore accounts, payments, the whole thing. Use it, or don’t—but if you don’t act soon, there won’t be a Venetti empire left to fight for.”

Carmen took the envelope reluctantly, watching as Sofia turned and disappeared into the misty garden without another word. She stood there for a long moment, the weight of the envelope heavy in her hand, before tucking it into her coat.