“Let my wife go, Carl!” Marc shouted very loud and clear and I could hear the anger in his voice.And I heaved a sigh of relief as tears rolled down my cheeks. And I knew at that moment that I will forever be indebted to Marc for this as he saved me from losing my dignity but I did not know how to face him now because of my stupidity. I have caused him big trouble.After being released abruptly from Carl’s grip, I felt myself falling weakly to the ground. It was Marc’s grip that supported me and helped me to regain my balance. As he held me tightly.“Marc, listen to me, Please!” I said pleadingly.“Go back to the house, Carmen! "Marc ordered harshly. “You can go through the inner door of the garden and make sure you are not seen….you are not a pretty sight right now,” He added angrily. “Go, now! I have a business to attend here,” Staring at Carl with a loathsome expression.I knew that expression and was aware of what was going to happen. “What are you going to do?” Oh, just let him go!” I begged, gripping his hand urgently. “ No harm was done, Marc. Don’t make things worse.” “Just go, Carmen!” Marc said harshly. Removing my fingers from his hand and turning to regard me with unreadable expressions. “Wait for me in my study. If I have to search for you again. It will make me very angry. So you better behave.” With one last glance at the two silent figures behind me, I stumbled along the path to the house praying desperately that Marc would not be hurt. I knew from bitter experience that Carl was very strong and could harm Marc. I just did not want them fighting or it would create a scandal and most importantly I couldn't see Marc hurting himself. When I reached Marc's study I slumped wearily, into one of the comfortable armchairs and closed my eyes as emotions started erupting. I did not even know whether the other guest were in the house or if Marc had asked them to leave before going in search of me.Why, oh why, did I ever come to Milan? Even if I returned home tomorrow there was no going back to the comfortable existence that I had before this visit. The shock of this latest episode had made me painfully aware of the futility of trying to live with any man, but Marc. Disturbing thoughts were causing uneasiness around my brain giving me no rescue from the thoughts and I had to admit that I was still as much in love with Marc, as I had ever been and life without him would be hellish. And I have started loving him more and more and I don't know what I will do.Perhaps it would be better to beg Marc to take me back even without love than to face the future completely without him. Maybe if I told him the truth about Tio he would accept me into his life again. But will he? Wearily I rested my forehead on my arms and tears trickled down my cheeks. Even in this weak state of mind, I realized that I was still too proud to beg. I would just have to make the best of my life as it was. But at least I still had Tio to love and I acknowledged it thankfully. Oh, Lord, I am in a mess! “So, you stayed Carmen! You were sensible enough not to anger me any further.” He whispered hoarsely as I felt him enter standing behind me I jumped with fear. He had sneaked in so quietly that I didn't hear him enter the study. “You startled me!” I gasped and was trying to wipe the tears from my cheeks with the back of my hand not wanting him to see my helplessness. “Use this,” Marc said dryly and gave me his handkerchief. “You may feel the need for it again after I've said what I intend to .” “Ohh no, Marc! Please!” I protested weakly. “ I know, I've been a little foolish this evening. I've disgraced myself in front of your guests and the women you love. I know I've been a bitch but you will be rid of me tomorrow and you would never see me again. Can't we just leave it like that?” I finished leaning my head back against the seat and closing my eyes in an attempt to shut out the contempt and anger in his own. As I was tired of fighting with him. “No we can't leave it at that, as you so conveniently wish,” Marc said harshly. “ If you were thinking to persuade me to agree to divorce you by your slutty behavior, then I must tell you that you have failed. I have long been aware that your moral standards are not too high…” “How dare you!” I gasped, shocked out of my senses at his cold words. I knew what he thought about me but I never expected he would say those words to me. “I did because it is true,” said Marc.“I thought that you would have more sense of what is fitting than to tell Carl about your illegitimate son. Assuming of course that your cries for help are genuine,” he added raising his brows interrogatively. “You heard.” then I wondered, I hoped, I started softly, “But I did not tell Carl about Tio, my son, he already knew and I assumed you had told him.”“You think that I would ever speak of such a thing?” Marc said bitterly and after a pause added: however I can imagine how the knowledge has spread. My family knows about your son of course and my father was a good friend of Bella’s father,” He shrugged wearily. “They have no doubt spent many hours discussing how much better my life would have been if I had married Bella as they had wished for.” he turned away from me as though he found my sight distasteful."Well then they were right you should have been with Bella, not me," I stated flatly with no other emotions on my face."Carmen don't play with my patience." He said gritting his teeth. “I doubt, whether Carl will ever mention it again, certainly lot in my presence,” he added grimly. “Did you hurt him?” I asked raising from my seat and walking towards his still figure noticing for the first time, the bruise on his left cheekbone. Even if Marc was rude to me I could never see him hurt. I know I am so foolish! Just a minute ago he was insulting me but my stupid emotion got over me eventually. “He will survive,” Marc said coldly raising his hand unconsciously and exploring his jawline wincing momentarily as his finger came away, covered with blood. “You are hurt! Let me look!” I turned his face gently to examine the bruise. “Leave it! It doesn't matter,” he said impatiently, as I attended to dab the wound with a handkerchief. “ Later! “He said putting his hands on my upper arm and pulling me towards him. “He has spoiled your dress,” he added dispassionately raising his hand to place the dress properly. “A pity ! You looked attractive in it." “Thank you”, I said increasingly conscious of the effect that his closeness was having on my metabolism and my heart was beating rather very fast. His touch on my arm was once pain and pleasure and my already weakened self-control moved towards breaking point.“We have still to discuss your behavior this evening,” Marc said abruptly. “I don't know what else I can say for behaving badly and I'm truly sorry. You have every right to be angry Marc...I know.” “You think that is all?” Marc muttered in a husky tone. “Don’t you think that perhaps you need to pay me back for making me suffer?” He added his grip on my upper body tightening cruelly.The desire that I had held back all these years was wanting to come out as his hands were moving all around me and my body was aching for his touch. “Please Marc! I want you.” I said shamelessly raising my hands to his chest unable to disguise the weakening emotion turning my lips to water .