Carmen stood in the middle of the living room, her hands clenched into fists, her entire body rigid with tension. She could feel it—the weight of the moment pressing down on her.
She had waited long enough.
“Ella,” she said, her voice firm, unshaken. “You need to pack your things and leave.”
Ella stood by the couch, calm as ever, her expression unreadable. “Mrs. Venetti,” she said smoothly, tilting her head. “I don’t understand. Have I done something wrong?”
Carmen’s fists tightened.
“Drop the act,” she hissed. “I know what you’ve been doing.”
Ella sighed, shaking her head with a soft, pitying smile.
“I truly don’t know what you mean,” she said. “I have only ever loved this family. I have done nothing but care for Matteo.”
“Stop it,” Carmen snapped, her voice shaking with fury. “I don’t believe a single word that comes out of your mouth.”
Before Ella could respond, a small voice cut through the tension.
“No!”
Carmen whirled around, her chest tightening. Matteo stood in the doorway, his little face twisted in fear and confusion.
“No, Mama!” he cried, running into the room. “You can’t make Nanny leave!”
Carmen’s stomach dropped. “Baby,” she whispered, kneeling down. “You don’t understand—”
“No!” Matteo screamed, tears welling up in his eyes. “I don’t want her to go!”
Carmen felt like she had been slapped. Matteo had never looked at her like this before. Like she was the villain. Like she was the one hurting him.
Ella let out a soft, pained sigh, stepping forward.
“Oh, Matteo, sweetheart,” she said gently. “It’s alright. I understand.”
She placed a soft hand on his head, stroking his curls gently. Matteo clung to her instantly, his little hands gripping her dress, his small body trembling.
“Please don’t go,” he sobbed into her side.
Carmen’s throat burned. “Matteo,” she said, her voice breaking. “She is not your mother. I am!”
Matteo flinched at the sharpness in her voice.
Then—he turned away. And buried himself deeper into Ella’s embrace.
Carmen felt her heart shatter. She took a shaky breath, her hands trembling with frustration and heartbreak.
Ella looked up, her expression full of false innocence.
“Do you see now?” she whispered, her voice so soft, so dangerous.
Carmen snapped. She lunged forward, grabbing Ella by the arm and shoving her back.
“Get out!” she yelled, her voice raw with rage.
Ella stumbled slightly, gasping, her hand flying to her chest. She staggered, making it look far worse than it was, as if Carmen had just attacked her brutally.
“Oh!” Ella gasped, her voice trembling as if she were in pain. “Mrs. Venetti, please—”
Matteo gasped loudly, his little face filling with horror.
“Mama!” he cried, stepping in front of Ella like he was protecting her. “Don’t hurt Nanny!”
Carmen froze. Her heart pounded painfully in her chest.
“Baby,” she whispered, reaching for him. “I would never—”
But Matteo jerked away. His little face twisted with fear and anger.
“I don’t want you!” he screamed. “I want Nanny!”