The estate was back under tight security. Marco had made sure of it. After everything that had happened, he refused to take any chances.
But despite the guards, despite the cameras, despite the false sense of safety—
Carmen still felt like something was wrong. Like something was waiting to happen. And that night, her worst fears were confirmed.
Luca had come over that evening, spending time with Matteo.
They played in the backyard, laughing as Luca chased him around, lifting him up onto his shoulders.
For a while, everything felt normal. Like nothing had ever happened. Like Matteo was just a regular kid again.
But Carmen knew better. She had learned not to trust the quiet moments. Because the storm always came after.
That night, as Carmen tucked Matteo into bed, he suddenly reached out and held her hand tightly.
“The nanny will pick me up again soon, Mommy,” he said.
Carmen’s blood ran cold. She froze, her grip tightening around his small fingers.
“What do you mean, baby?” she asked carefully.
Matteo just smiled sleepily, turning over and pulling the covers up.
“Goodnight, Mama.”
Carmen stared at him.
Her heart pounded. She wanted to shake him awake and demand answers, but he was already closing his eyes.
Already drifting off. As if he hadn’t just said something terrifying.
She backed away slowly, her hands shaking, then turned and walked straight to Marco’s office.
Marco was at his desk, reviewing some documents, a glass of whiskey in hand.
He barely looked up when Carmen stormed in.
“We need to talk.”
Marco sighed, rubbing his temples. “What now?”
Carmen crossed her arms, trying to steady herself.
“Matteo just told me something.”
That got his attention. He put down the glass, watching her carefully.
“What did he say?”
Carmen swallowed. “He said… the nanny will pick him up again soon.”
Marco’s face darkened. “Carmen—”
“Marco, what if he’s not imagining things?” she cut him off. “What if Ella is still watching him? What if she really is coming back for him?”
Marco exhaled sharply, leaning back in his chair.
“You heard what the therapist said. He’s processing everything in his own way. This is how kids deal with trauma.”
Carmen shook her head.
“No, Marco. What if he’s not just seeing things? What if they’re really there?”
Marco’s jaw tightened.
“Carmen, we have to trust the therapist. She knows better than us.”
“What if she’s wrong?”
Marco rubbed a hand down his face.
“Then we’ll deal with it. But for now, let’s not jump to conclusions.”
Carmen wanted to argue. Wanted to scream.
But Marco had already turned back to his work, dismissing her.
Carmen drove to Little Oaks Academy, forcing herself to stay calm.
She had spent the entire night restless, staring at the baby monitor, watching Matteo sleep.
She had wanted to keep him home. Keep him safe. But Marco had convinced her otherwise.
“We can’t keep him locked inside forever, Carmen.”
So she had let him go. And now, as she walked into the school, she told herself that everything was fine.
That Matteo was okay. That all of this was just in her head.
But then—
She saw Alexandra’s concerned expression.
And she knew. Something was wrong.
“Carmen,” Alexandra said carefully.
Carmen’s heart slammed against her ribs.
“Where is Matteo?”
Alexandra hesitated. “He… he was already picked up.”
Carmen stilled. A ringing filled her ears.
“What?”
“His nanny came and signed him out an hour ago,” Alexandra explained, clearly confused. “She said it was arranged by you and Marco.”
Carmen’s blood ran ice cold.
Her hands began to shake.
“Matteo doesn’t have a nanny anymore.”
Alexandra blinked. Realization dawned in her horrified eyes.
“Oh my God…”
Carmen’s vision blurred.