Chapter 50
The Venetti war room hummed with quiet intensity as Marco, Carmen, Luca, and Sergio gathered around the large table, their eyes fixed on the detailed map of Arianna’s compound. The aerial photos and notes spread across the surface outlined their next—and final—move.
“This is where we hit her,” Marco said, his voice low and steady, pointing to the east gate of the compound. “It’s the weakest point. Emilio’s mercenaries patrol in shifts, and we’ve identified gaps in their coverage.”
“Getting through the gates won’t be the problem,” Luca added, tapping on the second map. “The real fight will happen here.” His finger trailed to the main building in the center, surrounded by a tight perimeter of guards. “That’s where Arianna will be, along with her closest men. Once we’re inside, we split into teams.”
Carmen’s gaze swept the table, sharp and calculating. “We take out the perimeter quietly. Luca, your men will neutralize the patrols and block off the exits to trap Arianna’s forces inside.”
Luca nodded. “No one gets in. No one gets out.”
“Sergio and I will lead the frontal assault,” Marco said, his tone clipped. “We’ll draw their fire and force Emilio to commit his men to us.”
“And I’ll go with you,” Carmen said firmly.
Marco’s head snapped up, his eyes narrowing. “No.”
Carmen didn’t flinch. “Yes.”
“Absolutely not,” Marco said, his voice rising. “This is a war zone, Carmen. You’re not coming.”
“I’m not asking for permission,” Carmen shot back, her voice cool and unyielding. “Arianna started this, and I intend to finish it.”
“You don’t need to be there,” Marco argued, his jaw tight. “You’ve done enough.”
“This is my fight, too, Marco,” Carmen said, stepping around the table to face him. “Arianna has been trying to destroy me since the moment she stepped into this family. She won’t stop until one of us is dead. You know that.”
Marco’s fists curled at his sides. “You’re pregnant, Carmen.”
“And that’s exactly why I’m doing this,” Carmen replied, her voice softening but losing none of its resolve. “Our child deserves a future—one that isn’t haunted by Arianna or this war. I need to be there to end this. I need to do this for us.”
For a long moment, the room was silent, the tension between them heavy and unrelenting. Marco stared at her, his face a mask of frustration and something deeper—fear. Finally, he exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair.
“You stay close to me,” he said, his voice low and rough. “If anything happens, you get out. No arguments.”
Carmen nodded, her gaze steady. “Agreed.”
Sergio cleared his throat, breaking the silence. “Then it’s settled. My men will be ready to move at dawn. We’ll take Arianna out, one way or another.”
Marco glanced at Luca. “Make sure everyone knows the plan. I don’t want any surprises.”
“Understood,” Luca replied, his expression grim. “We’ll be ready.”
As the men began gathering their notes and heading for the door, Carmen lingered by the table, her eyes fixed on the map. Marco hesitated, watching her carefully before stepping closer.
“You didn’t have to do this,” he said softly, his voice lacking the anger it held before.
Carmen turned to him, her expression calm but resolute. “I did. For our child. For us.”
Marco studied her for a moment before nodding, though the worry in his eyes was unmistakable. He didn’t argue with her again. He knew it would be pointless.
________________
Later that night, as the estate settled into uneasy quiet, Carmen sat at the small desk in her room, a single lamp casting a warm glow across the space. In her hand, she held a pen poised over a sheet of paper. She stared at it for a long moment before taking a deep breath and beginning to write.
To my dearest child,
If you’re reading this, it means I’m no longer here. It means I couldn’t keep my promise to see you grow up, to hold you in my arms and tell you how much you are loved. But I want you to know this: you were everything to me. From the moment I knew you existed, I fought for you. For your future. For your safety.
She paused, her eyes glistening as she blinked away tears.
The world you were born into isn’t fair, and it isn’t kind. But I wanted to change that for you. I wanted to give you a life where you don’t have to carry the weight of our sins—where you can choose who you want to be.
Carmen’s hand trembled slightly as she continued.
Your father… Marco… He’s a complicated man. But I hope by the time you’re reading this, you’ll know how much he loves you, too. He wasn’t perfect, but he tried. We both did. And if nothing else, know that you were born into a family that fought for you. A family that wanted more.
She drew in a shaky breath, the tears now slipping down her cheeks as the words poured out of her.
Be strong. Be brave. And if I’m not there to tell you this myself, remember that you were my greatest love. My greatest hope. And I will always be with you.
Love,
Your mother.
Carmen folded the letter carefully, holding it to her chest for a moment as she steadied her breathing. Then, with careful hands, she slipped it into an envelope and tucked it inside the drawer of her nightstand, hiding it beneath a small stack of books.
As she sat back in the chair, the quiet of the room pressing in around her, Carmen let herself cry—just for a moment. She allowed herself to feel the weight of everything she’d fought for, everything she might lose.
But when she wiped her tears and looked up, her resolve was stronger than ever.
Tomorrow would bring the fight of their lives.
And Carmen would face it head-on, no matter the cost.
________________
In the quiet hallway outside, Marco stood, his hand resting lightly against the closed door. He hadn’t meant to overhear her muffled sobs, but the sound had pierced him like a blade. For a long moment, he stayed there, torn between going inside and leaving her in peace.
Finally, he turned and walked away, his heart heavy. Carmen was ready to fight.
And for the first time, Marco knew he had to be ready to fight for her.
No matter what tomorrow brought, he would make sure their child had the future Carmen was fighting for.
Even if it cost him everything.
