The Double Life of My Pregnant Ex-Wife (Carmen and Marco) novel Chapter 42

Marco’s car pulled to a stop in front of Vincent Rossi’s countryside estate, the once-pristine gravel drive now muddied by the steady drizzle that fell from the gray sky. Marco sat in the backseat, his hands clenched on his knees as he stared through the rain-streaked window at the sprawling house. His anger sat in his chest like a weight, heavy and unrelenting.

“Are you sure about this?” Luca asked from the front seat, turning to glance at Marco with a hint of concern.

Marco didn’t respond immediately. His jaw tightened, and he opened the door, stepping out into the cold, damp air. “I need answers,” he said finally, his voice hard.

Luca sighed but followed him, the two men approaching the estate’s entrance. It wasn’t long before one of Vincent’s guards let them in, his face carefully neutral as he led them through the halls.

Vincent was waiting in his office, seated behind an ornate desk with a glass of wine in his hand. He looked as cool and collected as always, his tailored shirt immaculate despite the dreary weather outside. His sharp eyes swept over Marco, a faint smirk pulling at the corner of his lips.

“Well, this is a surprise,” Vincent said, setting the glass down. “To what do I owe the pleasure, Marco?”

Marco’s fists curled at his sides as he stepped forward, his voice low and dangerous. “Don’t play games with me, Vincent. You know why I’m here.”

Vincent arched a brow, feigning confusion. “Do I?”

Marco’s eyes narrowed. “Arianna’s lies—the ones she fed me about Carmen—your name was all over them.”

Vincent’s smirk faded as he leaned back in his chair, his expression turning serious. “You think I had something to do with Arianna’s games?”

“Where there’s smoke, there’s fire,” Marco shot back. “You gave Carmen a place to hide. You had the opportunity to plant doubt, to play both sides. You knew what you were doing.”

Vincent’s gaze darkened as he stood, slowly crossing the room to face Marco. Despite Marco’s rage, Vincent looked utterly unshaken. “You really are a fool, Marco. I gave Carmen a place to hide because she had no one else. Because you let Arianna turn her life into hell. I didn’t touch her, I didn’t manipulate her, and I sure as hell didn’t help Arianna set you up.”

“You expect me to believe that?” Marco growled.

Vincent stepped closer, his voice quiet but sharp as a blade. “I don’t care what you believe. But you’re here, aren’t you? That means you’re starting to see the truth—about Arianna, about yourself. So let’s be honest for a second. This mess isn’t my doing, Marco. It’s yours.”

Marco stiffened, his eyes flashing. “Watch your mouth, Vincent.”

“Or what?” Vincent sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. “You came here looking for someone to blame. But the only person you should be pointing fingers at is yourself. Arianna played you because you let her. Carmen left because you drove her to it.”

Marco’s fists tightened, but Vincent didn’t stop.

“You’ve been so busy wallowing in your own anger that you couldn’t see the truth standing right in front of you,” Vincent said. “And now? You’re losing everything. Carmen, your allies, your family—it’s all slipping through your fingers.”

Marco stared at him, his breathing heavy, every word hitting him harder than he wanted to admit.

Vincent took a step back, his expression softening slightly. “You want to fix this? Then start acting like the man Carmen thought you were. She’s stronger than she’s ever been, Marco, and she’s done it without you. But if you want to be worthy of her, of the life she’s trying to protect, then wake up. Stop letting your pride and your anger blind you.”

The room fell silent, save for the faint crackle of the fire in the hearth. Marco said nothing, his mind reeling as Vincent’s words settled over him like lead.

Finally, Vincent turned back toward his desk, reaching for his glass of wine. “Now, unless you have anything else to accuse me of, I think we’re done here.”

Marco didn’t respond. He turned sharply and walked toward the door, Luca following close behind.