The Double Life of My Pregnant Ex-Wife (Carmen and Marco) novel Chapter 97

The morning sun glinted off the gentle waves as Marco and Carmen strolled along the shoreline, their hands entwined. The laughter that bubbled between them felt light, unburdened by the shadows of their past. For the first time in years, the weight of duty and danger had lifted, leaving only the joy of each other’s company.

Marco stopped suddenly, scooping a handful of water and flinging it playfully in Carmen’s direction.

“Marco!” Carmen squealed, dodging as the water splashed her arms. “You’re asking for trouble.”

“Trouble?” Marco grinned, wading further into the water, the sunlight catching his broad shoulders. “I think I’m the picture of innocence.”

“Innocent, my foot,” Carmen shot back, lifting her skirt to chase after him. She splashed him in return, her laughter ringing out over the ocean.

Their playful game continued until they were waist-deep in the water, Marco catching her around the waist and pulling her close.

“You’re still as feisty as the day I met you,” he said, his voice low, his breath warm against her ear.

“And you’re still as infuriating,” she teased, but her eyes softened as she looked up at him.

His lips brushed hers in a kiss that started playful but deepened into something more, the world around them fading.

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Later that day, they lounged on the beach, a picnic basket between them. Marco peeled an orange, offering Carmen a slice.

“Do you remember when we used to sneak away from the estate for afternoons like this?” he asked, popping a slice into his mouth.

“How could I forget?” Carmen said with a smile. “You were always so confident no one would catch us. And half the time, you were wrong.”

Marco chuckled, reclining back on his elbows. “It was worth the trouble every single time.”

Carmen leaned closer, her fingers brushing over his hand. “It still is.”

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As the sun began to set, they returned to the villa, where a hammock swayed gently between two tall palm trees. The breeze carried the scent of salt and the faint sweetness of tropical flowers.

“Come here,” Marco said, sitting in the hammock and holding out a hand to Carmen.

She hesitated. “We’re both going to fall out of that thing.”

“Not if you trust me,” he said with a smirk.

With a playful eye roll, Carmen let him pull her into the hammock, her back resting against his chest. To her surprise, it held them both securely, the gentle rocking adding to the serenity of the moment.

They lay in silence for a while, watching the sky shift from pink to deep indigo, stars beginning to dot the heavens.