The Double Life of My Pregnant Ex-Wife (Carmen and Marco) novel Chapter 36

The evening sky had turned a murky shade of gray by the time Carmen arrived at Sergio Montini’s estate. The air felt heavy, tinged with the promise of rain, as guards moved to let her black car pass through the wrought-iron gates. Inside, the house was quiet, its vast halls devoid of the usual noise and commotion that accompanied meetings of power.

Sergio met her in his study—a cozy room filled with rich mahogany shelves and the faint scent of cigar smoke lingering in the air. The man himself was seated behind his desk, a glass of wine in hand. Despite his age, Sergio Montini still carried the sharp presence of a man who’d survived too many betrayals and too many wars. His dark eyes swept over her as she entered, searching, measuring.

“Carmen,” he said, rising and gesturing to the chair across from him. “I wasn’t expecting you tonight. What brings you to my humble home?”

Carmen sat without ceremony, her hands folded tightly in her lap to stop their trembling. “I need your help, Sergio. And your loyalty.”

Sergio quirked a brow as he settled back into his chair, swirling his wine idly. “Big words. Loyalty isn’t something I hand out freely these days. You know that.”

“I’m aware,” Carmen replied, meeting his gaze. “But you’ve seen what’s happening, haven’t you? You’ve seen the cracks forming under Marco’s leadership.”

The faintest flicker of interest crossed Sergio’s face, though he said nothing.

Carmen pressed on. “It’s Arianna. She’s been orchestrating this from the beginning. She’s playing both sides—poisoning Marco’s mind while pulling strings with the De Luca remnants. She’s positioning herself to take everything.”

Sergio raised his glass to his lips, but his eyes never left her face. “And what proof do you have of this?”

“I’ve seen the records,” Carmen said firmly. “I’ve tracked the payments, the betrayals, the lies. Arianna’s goal isn’t just to ruin Marco—she wants to control the Venetti empire. And once she’s done with him, she’ll burn anyone who stands in her way, including you.”

Sergio took a slow sip of his wine, his gaze unreadable. When he finally spoke, his voice was measured. “And where does that leave you in all this, Carmen? You come here alone, without Marco’s blessing. What exactly are you offering me?”

Carmen didn’t hesitate. “A chance to survive. When this explodes—and it will—anyone still backing Arianna will fall. I’m building a new line of defense. Quiet, but loyal. Men who want to protect what’s left of Marco’s empire, not tear it apart.”

Sergio set his glass down with a soft clink, leaning forward slightly. “And Marco? Where does he fall in this… new defense of yours?”

Carmen faltered, just for a second. The question hit too close, but she pushed the pain down. “I’ll save him if I can. But I’ll protect myself and my child first. I won’t let Arianna take everything from me.”

Sergio’s gaze lingered on her for a long, uncomfortable moment before he finally smiled faintly. “You’ve changed, Carmen. You’re harder now.”

“You have to be hard to survive,” Carmen replied simply.

Sergio studied her once more before nodding. “I’ll back you—for now. But if you’re wrong about this…”

“I’m not,” Carmen said, rising to her feet. “And when Marco sees the truth, it’ll be too late for Arianna to save herself.”

Sergio stood as well, extending a hand. Carmen shook it firmly, relief flickering in her chest, though it was far from victory.

“Be careful, Carmen,” Sergio said as she turned to leave. “In this game, sometimes saving someone means letting them fall.”

Carmen paused but didn’t turn around. “Then I hope Marco learns to stand before that happens.”

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