The Double Life of My Pregnant Ex-Wife (Carmen and Marco) novel Chapter 85

The last echoes of gunfire faded into the night as Marco stood at the edge of the estate’s ravaged courtyard, surveying the aftermath of the battle. Bodies of Rafael’s remaining mercenaries lay scattered among the wreckage, and his men moved methodically, securing the area and tending to the wounded.

Luca approached, his face streaked with dirt but his eyes sharp. “It’s done, Marco. Rafael’s forces are finished.”

Marco nodded, his shoulders sagging slightly under the weight of exhaustion. “Good,” he said quietly, his gaze sweeping the destruction. “We’ve lost too much already.”

He turned toward the estate, his thoughts immediately shifting to Carmen. He hadn’t seen her since she confronted Rafael, and a flicker of unease crept into his chest. “Have you seen Carmen?”

“She’s in the west wing,” Luca said. “She’s safe.”

Marco didn’t wait for more. He moved quickly through the ruined halls of Rafael’s estate, his steps echoing against the stone.

________________

He found her in a quiet corner of the west wing, sitting against the wall with her knees drawn up. Her weapon rested on the ground beside her, and her hands trembled slightly as she stared at the floor.

“Carmen,” Marco called softly.

Her head snapped up, and relief flooded her expression. “Marco.”

He crossed the room in a few strides, pulling her into his arms. She clung to him, burying her face against his chest as her body shuddered.

“It’s over,” he murmured, holding her tightly. “We’re safe.”

Carmen pulled back slightly, looking up at him with tears glistening in her eyes. “I killed him, Marco. Rafael. It had to be done, but—”

“You did what you had to,” Marco interrupted, his voice firm but gentle. “You saved us. You saved our family.”

Carmen nodded, her hands gripping his shirt. “I couldn’t let him take anything more from us. I couldn’t let him win.”