Carmen was in the middle of making coffee when her phone buzzed on the counter.
She glanced down and saw Marco’s name flashing on the screen.
She sighed, debating whether to answer. She was still furious with him. Still resented being in this house.
But ignoring Marco never worked—he’d just come looking for her. Rolling her eyes, she picked up.
“What?”
“Come to my office,” Marco said.
Carmen frowned.
“Why?”
“Just come, Carmen.”
He hung up. She let out a sharp breath, annoyed, but grabbed her coffee and headed down the hall.
Carmen pushed open Marco’s office door without knocking. “What do you want?” she asked, arms crossed.
Marco was sitting behind his large mahogany desk, his fingers tapping against the surface. He looked… calm.
Which immediately put Carmen on edge. “I’ve been thinking,” Marco started. Carmen let out a dry laugh. “That’s dangerous.”
Marco ignored her sarcasm.“Maybe it’s time to plan a family vacation with Matteo.”
Carmen stared at him. For a second, she thought she misheard. “A vacation?” she repeated.
“Yes.”
“With you?”
Marco sighed. “Carmen—”
“No,” she snapped. “Absolutely not.”
Marco’s jaw tightened.
“Carmen, listen—”
“No, you listen,” she interrupted. “I don’t want to go on vacation with you. I’m already stuck living here. I actually want to leave, Marco.”
Marco leaned back in his chair, running a hand down his face.
“It’s not safe for you to leave yet.”
Carmen scoffed. “Oh, how convenient.”
Marco’s eyes darkened.
“I’m serious. We still don’t know what Ella’s next move is. You think I want to keep you here? No. But I need to make sure Matteo is safe. That you’re safe.”
Carmen bit the inside of her cheek. She hated how rational he sounded. Hated how much she wanted to believe him. Marco took a breath and leaned forward.
“I want to do this vacation so we can bond with Matteo again. He’s been through too much, Carmen. We all have. But this is for him.”
Carmen clenched her jaw. She wanted to argue. Wanted to tell him this was a stupid idea.
But then she thought of Matteo. Of the way he still whispered about Ella. Of how he still talked to his imaginary friend. Of how he still felt… not quite there.
Maybe a vacation would help him.
Carmen exhaled. “You really think this will help?” she asked.
Marco nodded. “I do.”
Carmen shook her head.
“Fine,” she muttered. “I’ll look at family-friendly vacation spots.”
Marco’s shoulders relaxed slightly.
“Thank you.”
Carmen glared at him. “Don’t think this means I forgive you, Marco.”
Marco smirked slightly but didn’t argue.
Because they both knew—
This wasn’t about them.
This was about Matteo.