Her feelings for Lorenzo deepened when he helped her through the kidnapping of her sons. She knew her had nothing to do with it, and stood by him when he was arrested as an accomplice to the kidnapping. After the children were returned home safely, she and Lorenzo eloped to South America. They boys, especially Michael, were angry with her for marrying a man their father hated, and refused to live with Carly and Lorenzo. Her love for Sonny never waivered. Eventually, Lorenzo grew tired of sharing her with her ex, and kicked Carly out of his home.

Around this time, Carly learned that Charlotte, the best friend she believed had died in a car accident in front of her while they were teens, was not really dead. She was Reese Marshall, the FBI agent who had come to Port Charles to assist in finding Michael and Morgan. Reese was now involved with Carly’s ex, Sonny. The divorce and discovery of Reese’s true identity led to a mental breakdown. Despite Reese’s objections, Sonny tenderly cared for his ex-wife in his home. Reluctantly, Sonny had to admit to Carly to Rose Lawn for professional care.

When she learned that Manny Ruiz was alive and planning to kill Sonny, Carly escaped from Rose Lawn to warn him. She was on the train heading into Port Charles when Manny caused two trains to crash. She was rescued, and returned to Rose Lawn to complete her treatment.

After being legitimately released from Rose Lawn, Carly was determined to make a life for herself in Port Charles. She didn’t want Sonny completely out of her life, but wanted to prove she could survive and thrive without him. Her uncle, Luke Spencer, helped Carly to become a partner in the Metro Court hotel.

While helping her partner, Jax, care for Baby John, she fell in love with him. More surprising, he fell for her as well. The two became engaged, and planned a New Years wedding. Jax was called away to help his brother, Jerry, and the wedding had to be postponed. While he was away, Sonny tricked Carly into a marriage. She had witnessed her ex shoot Lorenzo in the head in self-defense. There was no evidence that Lorenzo had a gun, and to keep Carly from having to testify, Sonny convinced her to marry him. When he learned that evidence supporting the self-defense theory was found, Sonny didn’t tell her and went through with the wedding. He was determined to make Carly admit her continuing feelings for him.

She did finally admit her love during the Metro Court hostage crises. When it was over, she and Sonny slept together. She told him it was a one-time thing---though she loved him, she also deeply loved Jax and was determined to make a life with him.

Currently, Carly is trying to win back the trust of Jax while waiting for the state of New York to grant her divorce from Sonny. Sonny and the children are not making the divorce easy!