Marco’s hands clenched into fists, his entire body going rigid. His breath came out in a slow, controlled exhale, but his eyes—his eyes were burning.
“You should be dead.”
Carmen’s head snapped toward him, her pulse skipping a beat.
She turned back to the woman standing in their foyer. The woman Marco was looking at like she was a ghost. A woman Carmen had never seen before.
She was tall, elegant—stunning, even—with wavy dark hair that cascaded down her back. Her sharp cheekbones and piercing green eyes gave her an air of dangerous beauty, the kind that demanded attention.
And yet—
Carmen’s stomach twisted painfully.
Because Marco knew her.
“What the hell is going on?” Carmen demanded, her voice shaking with something between anger and panic.
The woman—Valeria—tilted her head slightly, studying Marco with something too intimate, too knowing.
“Hello, Marco,” she said, her voice smooth, edged with something Carmen couldn’t place. Marco still hadn’t moved. His entire body was locked up, like he was seeing a ghost.
“Who is she?” Carmen’s voice sharpened. Silence. Valeria’s lips curled slightly, a ghost of a smile. “He never told you about me, did he?” she murmured.
Carmen’s stomach dropped. She turned to Marco, her heart pounding. “Marco?”
Still, he said nothing. “He is my ex-fiancée,” Valeria finally answered for him.
Carmen stared. The room suddenly felt too small, too suffocating. “Excuse me?”
Valeria smiled—a slow, almost satisfied smile. “Ah. So he really didn’t tell you.”
Carmen’s fingers curled against her sides, her breath coming too fast.
“Marco,” she hissed, barely keeping herself together. “What is she talking about?”
Marco finally snapped out of his trance. His fists unclenched, but his jaw remained tight, his eyes cold as ice. “You’re not supposed to be alive.”
Valeria’s smile faded. “And yet,” she said quietly, “here I am. And I need a safe place to stay.”
Marco looked at her with rage in his eyes. “Well then find a hotel, I’m not letting you stay in my house.”
From the corner of the staircase, Ella stood perfectly still, watching the scene unfold. She absorbed everything in silence, her expression unreadable. Her hands were folded neatly in front of her, and not a flicker of surprise crossed her face. Not a single word escaped her lips. Just… watching.
Carmen caught a brief glimpse of Ella, and for a split second, she saw a small smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. But when Carmen looked back, Ella was gone, vanishing as quickly as she’d appeared.
“I didn’t come here to fight,” Valeria said, finally breaking the silence. “I came to warn you.”
Marco’s eyes narrowed. “Warn me about what?”
Valeria exhaled, stepping closer. “Someone tried to kill me years ago,” she said carefully. “The same person who’s after you now.”
Carmen’s chest tightened. Marco’s entire frame was tense, unreadable. “I don’t believe you,” he said flatly. “You don’t have to,” Valeria shot back. “But ask yourself—how many close calls have you had lately?”
Marco’s silence was answer enough. Carmen’s stomach churned. The shooting. The sabotage. The threats. “Who’s after him?” she asked sharply.
Valeria’s gaze flickered to her. “I don’t know yet.”
“That’s convenient,” Marco muttered.
Valeria ignored him. “I barely escaped with my life, Marco. I had to disappear. But when I heard about the attack on you—” She hesitated. “I knew they were coming back.”
Carmen’s heartbeat slammed against her ribs. “Why should we believe you?”
Valeria turned to her, her expression softening slightly. “Because I loved him once too.”
Carmen’s breath hitched. She hated the way those words stabbed into her chest.
“I don’t trust you,” Marco said coldly.
Valeria smiled sadly. “I didn’t expect you to.”
Then, before anyone could react, she stepped closer—too close—and leaned in.
“But you should listen,” she murmured. Then—she whispered something into Marco’s ear. Carmen saw it. Saw the exact moment Marco’s face went pale. Whatever Valeria said—it hit him hard.
His body stiffened, his lips parting slightly, his breathing uneven. Carmen gritted her teeth. “What did you just say to him?” she demanded.
Valeria pulled back, her eyes gleaming with something unreadable. “Ask him,” she said simply. And then—she turned and walked away. Not a glance back. Not a single hesitation.
Just left them standing there in silence. Carmen’s hands curled into fists. She turned to Marco, her heart pounding. “Marco,” she whispered. “What did she say?”
Marco didn’t answer. He just stood there. Frozen. Looking like he’d just seen a ghost