Later in my room, I stretched my length on my luxurious mattress unable to sleep, going over once again in my mind the content of my call to Don. I hated having to deceive him, knowing that when I finally return home, I would have to hurt him further.Whatever Marc’s reasons for deceiving me to stay at the Villa, there had been a falling as far as the relationship between Don and me was concerned. I knew I could never marry him knowing that I was still in love with Marc.I wished desperately that I had never come to Milan. I was in no doubt that I could have made Don happy but as things stood now, all our lives had been thrown off course. I rolled angrily on my back and stared unseeingly at the white-painted ceiling. Not only were my own plans ruined, but I had a dreadful suspicion that Marc was making a disastrous mistake in choosing Bella for his next wife but it was always expected, I was just a passing relationship for him. I was forced to admit that my opinion was heavily biased against women but even so Marc needed someone to encourage the warmer side of his nature. Someone to laugh with him, someone who could respond fully to his lovemaking. At this point in my musings, I groaned softly and deliberately thrust such destructive thought aside. I stretched my length on the bed. Such a disastrous thought came into my mind. Marc was surely old enough to know what he was doing and he was hardly likely to listen to my opinion in any case and I of course have to think about Tio first. Disturbed morning must have affected me more than I realized for when I woke up it was late in the evening but I felt the compelling urge to leave the security of the luxurious bed. Instead, I continued to lie restlessly, longing to brush aside the depressed and lethargic feeling that I was feeling and was unwilling to face any member of the Garcia family after the events of the previous night.Inevitably the time of the dinner approached and I showered inwardly I was trying to still the feeling of panic which threatened to overwhelm me. How could I face Marc after the things Bella had told me that morning? Knowing that my actions were causing him a great deal of amusement it was an impossible situation ! I began to apply some makeup skillfully attempting to hide the emotional ravages on my face. My appearance would pass any kind of scrutiny, I decided after a critical examination of my reflection in the dressing table mirror. It was true that my eyes were looking dull and my complexion was pale and strained but a little eyeshadow and blusher had worked wonders and Marc was not going to get the opportunity for a close inspection this evening, I told myself determinedly. Or any other time for that matter. There must be a strict business arrangement in the future. Marc came down to dinner. I had not expected to see him when he came into the room, I felt pain in my heart leaving me white and trembling. I've been sitting on the sofa leisurely and turning the pages of a magazine. Looking up I heard my own gasp of shock , felt my finger shake on the pages .He wore a white silk shirt and shorts his hard lean figure dominating the quiet room. Closing the door he lent against it and looked at me his features giving nothing away even the dark eyes unreadable.I could not speak I only tilted my head proudly defying him in silence.He gave a twisted smile. “Nothing to say? That makes a change.” I spoke with fury in my voice, unleashing the temper which I was trying to control. “What do you expect me to say? You know exactly how I feel. The very sight of you makes me sick!”His eyes narrowed clearly. “That wasn't the impression I got last night.” My fingers curled into my palms contempt in my green eyes.” It may be news to you, but women can experience lust too. Even for men they loathe. “ His face was taunted into a furious mask. “ I could throttle you for that !” “Why don't you like to hear the truth? What else was it for either of us? You wanted me to in the same way. “ I could see his face going dark with anger , which he straightened and masked over his angry face. After a moment that seemed like endless, he said in a lazy tone. “ Oh yes, darling I wanted you."“Don't call me that! Anguish had pierced through me as he said the words.“Carmen darling,” he said again tormenting me knowing he was doing it deliberately, trying to hurt me. I close my eyes against the shaming possibility of tears. “I hate you,” I whispered.“How does it feel to burn with lust for someone you hate?” He asked and his voice was nearer. "And don't you forget Carmen you are my legal wife and it's not going to change?" I opened my eyes because I was instantly afraid that he was right beside me, his hands in his pocket his tall dark figure looming over me, lingering close by me aware of my weakness and vulnerability.The whole room was pulsing with electric tension. I leaned back against the back of the sofa struggling to put a calm look over my white face.“It felt like hell,” I said through my tight lips. “But now it's over.”Marc laughed with mockery, his teeth showing between his lips. “ Like hell,” he said. “You think you can escape hell, so easily? Say that again after a month’s time and I might believe you.”It's shattered, my composer. “A month,” I repeated, my voice shaking. “No, you can't Marc for God's sake! I have to return to my son if you remember he is my responsibility.”“You think I'll let you go after last night? He said harshly his eyes taunting me as his eyes filled with a glittering angry amusement. “ As for your son, I'll have someone bring him to Milan and he can stay with my mother.” “Wasn't it enough?” I said. I knew despair had filled my voice and I could do nothing about it. “You will destroy me. Let me go! ““Don won't want you now,” he drawled and there was hard satisfaction in his voice. “Once or a thousand times what difference will it make to him? The fact that you let me have it again would choke his throat .”My face flamed with anger. “Is that why you did?”He bent putting a finger under my chin and staring into my eyes.” You know it wasn't.” Yes, I knew and I knew too that if I stayed here with him it would happen again because just the cool touch of his finger on my skin was driving me crazy and I knew it. He smiled watching me with triumphant eyes. I pushed him away. “You are despicable! “ I got up and forced my way past him turning to stare at him and knowing it was futile. “Please let me go, I can't stand it !”Marc gave a short laugh his face hard. “You came here for your own accord.”“You trapped me, Marc .”“My dear, the trap was obvious and you knew it. You walked into it freely. I did not make you come. How could I?” Marc said smiling at me and I refuted back. “ I believe you have forgotten that you were ill?”“lie to yourself but not to me,” he sneered. “You came for the same reason I wanted you to come it isn't over between us Carmen, it never has been. It goes on eating our insides, doesn't it? An unspeakable hunger you can't feed anybody else. I know very well that even you are aware of it but you won't give up without a fight, isn't Carmen?"A wave of weakness swept me, as I stared at him, my mouth dry because he had described it exactly what it was. What do I say to him? As I know I am very bad at lying when it comes to my feelings. He read the response on my face and his lip twisted again. “Yes,” he said softly. Looking at me with immense satisfaction.Ada and Ria came then and I heard Ada announcing that the dinner was ready. I took a deep breath and thanked Ada for interrupting us at the right time. Marc answered in his quick way in Italian teasing Ada and it apparently amused her. Had Ada been listening for God's sake? I thought she had heard enough to know very well what was going on. That was a shameful thought. My face turned red, as I followed Marc and Ria to the table.