Carmen’s heart pounded violently as she stood frozen in the middle of Ella’s room, her hands clenched into fists.
The air between them was thick with tension, but Ella? She was completely calm. Her lips curved into a small, knowing smile as she tilted her head, her eyes glinting with something Carmen couldn’t place.
“Looking for something?” Ella asked softly.
Carmen stiffened. Her breath was shaky, her mind racing. “Don’t do that,” she hissed, trying to steady her voice.
Ella raised a delicate brow. “Do what?” she asked lightly, her tone innocent, almost amused.
Carmen felt suffocated. How could she stand there—so unbothered, so eerily composed— when Carmen had just found proof that she was hiding something?
“You know exactly what,” Carmen snapped.
Ella sighed, shaking her head like a disappointed mother.
“Mrs. Venetti,” she murmured, her voice dripping with patience, “there are things you don’t understand.”
Carmen’s blood ran cold.
“Then make me understand!” she demanded, stepping forward. “Why do you have a journal about my son? Why do you have a picture of my family—with my face scratched out?”
Ella didn’t even blink.
“You’re being emotional,” she said simply, her tone soft, controlled.
Carmen let out a bitter laugh, her chest heaving.
“Emotional?” she repeated. “Are you serious? My son—”
“Is safe,” Ella interrupted smoothly.
Carmen’s stomach twisted violently.
“Safe?” she echoed, her voice shaking with rage. “From what? From me?”
Ella didn’t answer. She just watched her. Like she was studying her. Like she was waiting for something.
And then—
The door swung open.
“What the hell is going on in here?”
Marco’s voice cut through the room like a blade.
Carmen whirled around, her chest tightening as she saw him standing in the doorway. His expression was sharp, irritated, his eyes flickering between her and Ella.
Before Carmen could say a word—
Ella let out a soft, shaky breath.
Then—she burst into tears.
“Mr. Venetti!” she sobbed, covering her face with trembling hands.
Carmen’s entire body went rigid.
No.
No, no, no.