With that, Enrico turned quickly, following the maid back into the mansion with long, purposeful strides, his mind already racing with thoughts of Carmen and the situation she had put them in. He hated how Carmen always seemed to insert herself into his life at the worst possible moments. Now, she was pulling him away from Isabella when all he wanted was a few hours of peace, of normalcy.
Inside the mansion, the air was thick with tension. Enrico could hear Carmen’s cries even before he reached the hallway where her room was. The sound grated on him, making his already thin patience fray. The maid hurried ahead, pushing the door open and revealing Carmen lying in bed, clutching her side, her face twisted in exaggerated pain.
Carmen's wails became louder as she saw Enrico enter the room.
