Chapter 98
The gates of the Venetti estate swung open as Marco and Carmen’s car approached, sunlight casting long shadows across the driveway. The grand house stood as a symbol of strength and stability, but today, it felt like a home.
As the car came to a stop, Sofia, the housekeeper, hurried out, a bright smile lighting her face. In her arms, she carried the Venetti family’s most precious treasure—their baby son.
Carmen stepped out of the car first, her eyes immediately softening as they landed on the tiny figure swaddled in blue. “There’s my sweet boy,” she murmured, her steps quickening.
The baby let out a soft coo as Sofia handed him over. Carmen held him close, inhaling the sweet, familiar scent of her child. “I missed you so much,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
Marco came to stand beside her, his hand resting lightly on her shoulder as he gazed at their son. “I think he’s gotten bigger in just a week,” he said, his tone teasing but full of pride.
Sofia chuckled. “He’s been eating well and charming everyone in the house, as always.”
Marco leaned in, brushing a kiss across the baby’s forehead. The child blinked up at him, his tiny fingers curling instinctively around Marco’s thumb. “There’s my little man,” Marco said softly. “You keeping everyone in line while we were gone?”
Carmen laughed, the sound light and joyful. “I think he missed us as much as we missed him.”
Together, they walked into the house, the baby cradled securely in Carmen’s arms. The estate felt warm and alive, its halls filled with the quiet buzz of activity and the comforting sense of home.
________________
The days that followed were filled with peaceful routines, a welcome contrast to the chaos of their past.
Marco spent mornings in his study, poring over business plans and delegating responsibilities to trusted allies. His focus had shifted to expanding their legitimate ventures—hotels, trade routes, and philanthropic projects.
Carmen, meanwhile, devoted herself to their son. She spent hours in the nursery, singing softly to him as he napped or watching him reach for the colorful toys dangling from his mobile.
In the evenings, the three of them would gather in the sitting room. Marco often held the baby, walking slowly across the room as he murmured stories about their family and their future. Carmen would watch them, her heart swelling with love at the sight of Marco’s tender care.
One evening, as they sat by the fireplace, Marco glanced over at Carmen. “I never imagined I’d be this happy,” he said quietly.
Carmen smiled, adjusting the blanket wrapped around their son. “It feels like a dream sometimes, doesn’t it?”
“A dream I don’t ever want to wake up from,” Marco replied, his voice steady but filled with emotion.
________________
As peaceful as life seemed, Carmen began to notice small changes in herself. She felt more tired than usual, her energy waning even after a full night’s sleep.
One afternoon, as she rocked the baby in her arms, a wave of dizziness washed over her. She steadied herself against the edge of the crib, taking a deep breath.
“Carmen?” Marco’s voice came from the doorway, his expression immediately shifting to concern.
“I’m fine,” she said quickly, forcing a smile. “Just tired, that’s all.”
Marco stepped closer, his eyes narrowing slightly. “You’ve been tired a lot lately. Are you sure you’re okay?”
Carmen adjusted their son’s position, his tiny fingers brushing against her collarbone. “I’m fine, Marco. Really. Probably just need some rest.”
Marco didn’t press, but later that evening, as they sat together in the nursery, his gaze lingered on her as she hummed softly to their son.
“You work too hard,” he said finally, his tone gentle.
Carmen glanced up at him, her smile faint. “And you don’t?”
“That’s different,” Marco said, reaching out to take her free hand. “You’re taking care of both of us. You’re allowed to slow down.”
She squeezed his hand lightly. “I’ll rest soon, I promise.”
________________
One golden afternoon, Carmen sat in the garden with their son nestled against her chest, his tiny breaths warm against her skin. She watched as the flowers swayed gently in the breeze, their vibrant colors a perfect backdrop to the peaceful scene.
Marco joined her, a glass of iced tea in hand. He handed it to her before sitting down beside her on the cushioned bench.
“How’s he doing?” Marco asked, his voice quiet.
“Perfect,” Carmen said, glancing down at the baby. “He’s perfect.”
Marco leaned closer, resting his hand on the baby’s back. “You’re both perfect.”
Carmen laughed softly. “Flattery will get you everywhere, you know.”
Marco smiled, his gaze tender. “It’s not flattery if it’s true.”
They sat in companionable silence, the sound of the breeze and the faint chirping of birds filling the space around them. Carmen closed her eyes for a moment, letting the serenity wash over her.
“I could get used to this,” she said.
Marco placed a hand on her knee, his touch grounding. “This is what we’ve fought for, Carmen. A life where we can just be a family.”
She turned to him, her smile soft. “And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
________________
That evening, after putting their son to bed, Marco and Carmen stood by the crib, watching him sleep. His tiny chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, his peaceful expression a stark contrast to the tumultuous world they had shielded him from.
“We’re lucky,” Marco said quietly, his arm wrapping around Carmen’s waist.
“We are,” Carmen agreed, resting her head against his shoulder.
As they left the nursery, Marco pulled her close, kissing the top of her head. “You’re everything to me, Carmen. You and him. I hope you know that.”
Carmen looked up at him, her eyes shining. “I do. And you’re everything to us.”
The house was quiet as they walked down the hall together, their hearts full of love and gratitude for the life they were building. Though Carmen couldn’t quite shake the sense that something was changing, she chose to focus on the present—on the family that had become her greatest joy.
