Chapter 100
The Venetti estate buzzed with quiet excitement. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting golden hues across the spacious halls. Marco stood in what would soon be the new nursery, his sleeves rolled up as he carefully assembled a crib.
“Are you sure you don’t need help?” Carmen asked from the doorway, her hand resting lightly on her growing belly.
Marco glanced over his shoulder, a smirk on his face. “I’ve got this. I’m practically a professional at this point.”
Carmen laughed softly, stepping inside. “You’ve built exactly one crib, Marco.”
“And it was a masterpiece,” he countered, using a screwdriver to tighten a bolt. “This one will be even better.”
Their son toddled into the room, holding a small stuffed elephant in his tiny hands. Carmen bent down to scoop him up, kissing his rosy cheek.
“Look, sweetheart,” she said, pointing to the crib Marco was working on. “Daddy’s building something special for your little brother or sister.”
The boy cooed, reaching out to hand Marco the elephant.
“Thanks, buddy,” Marco said, accepting the toy with a chuckle. “We’ll make sure this is waiting for the baby.”
As Carmen sat down in the rocking chair by the window, she watched Marco work, her heart full. Their son leaned against her, his small hand resting on her bump as if he already understood what it meant.
***
That evening, after their son was tucked into bed, Marco and Carmen sat on the terrace, the cool breeze carrying the faint scent of jasmine. The stars above were bright and endless, a perfect backdrop for their quiet reflections.
“It’s strange,” Carmen said, her voice soft. “Thinking about how far we’ve come.”
Marco leaned back in his chair, his eyes fixed on her. “We’ve been through a lot,” he admitted. “More than most.”
She nodded, her hand resting over his. “And yet, here we are. Stronger. Together.”
Marco’s expression softened, and he reached for her other hand, pulling it to his lips. “That’s because of you, Carmen. Your strength, your love—it’s what carried us through.”
She smiled, her gaze warm. “We carried each other, Marco. I couldn’t have done it alone.”
For a moment, neither spoke, their silence filled with the weight of their shared history. The battles they had fought, the betrayals they had overcome, and the love that had grown stronger through it all.
“I never imagined I’d have this,” Marco said quietly, his voice thick with emotion. “A family. A real home. You’ve given me everything I didn’t know I needed.”
“And you’ve given me a life I never dared to dream of,” Carmen replied, leaning closer to rest her head against his shoulder.
The next day, the garden was alive with the sound of their son’s laughter. He toddled across the grass, chasing a butterfly that flitted just out of reach. Carmen and Marco sat on a bench nearby, watching him with adoration.
Carmen rested her head against Marco’s shoulder, her hand covering his on her belly. “He’s so happy,” she said, her voice filled with quiet joy.
“Because he has the best mother in the world,” Marco replied, his tone tender.
“And the best father,” Carmen added, looking up at him.
Marco smiled, brushing a kiss against her temple. “I’m trying, Carmen. For you. For him. For our family.”
She turned slightly, her gaze locking with his. “You’ve already done so much. This—our life—it’s everything I could ever want.”
Marco placed his hand more firmly on her belly, his expression softening. “And this little one will make it even better. I can’t wait to meet them.”
Carmen’s smile widened. “Me too. Do you think it’ll be a boy or a girl?”
“I don’t care,” Marco said, his voice low and full of love. “As long as they’re healthy and happy. Like us.”
***
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the sky in hues of pink and orange, Marco and Carmen remained in the garden. Their son played nearby, his laughter carrying on the gentle breeze.
Marco leaned forward, resting his forehead against Carmen’s. “You’ve changed me,” he whispered. “You’ve made me a better man.”
Carmen cupped his face in her hands, her thumbs brushing lightly over his cheeks. “And you’ve shown me what it means to be truly loved.”
Their kiss was slow, filled with the depth of their connection. It wasn’t just an expression of love—it was a promise. A promise of a future filled with hope, joy, and the strength they had built together.
When they pulled apart, Carmen rested her head on his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
“We’ve built something unbreakable,” Marco said, his voice steady.
“We have,” Carmen agreed, her hand finding his. “And we’ll keep building it, together.”
As the stars appeared above them, their son toddled over, climbing into Marco’s lap. The little boy snuggled against his father, letting out a contented sigh.
Carmen reached out, running her fingers gently through her son’s soft hair. Marco kissed the top of his head, his other arm wrapping around Carmen. It was a perfect moment.
Until they both heard a single shot. Their son started crying.
Carmen’s heart beat was beating so loud it’s the only thing she could hear. And when she looked at Marco, there was confusion and shock on his face, blood oozing from his chest. As if in slow motion he said…
“H-hide!”
