Chapter 150 gilded cage.

Chapter 150 gilded cage.
ISABELLA'S POV

One week later, the mansion felt both like a sanctuary and a gilded cage.

I was finally home on strict bed rest, but the doctor had allowed me to sit up for short periods with support. Today, the bedroom had been transformed into a private styling suite. Racks of luxurious gowns lined one wall, fabric swatches and color palettes spread across the bed like a rainbow. Mateo's mother had sent a team of stylists and told me sternly before leaving:

"You are going to be a brand, my child. Let your outfit make headlines."

I have never made headlines before. And Brand?

Her words still echoed in my head. I wasn't sure I wanted to be a "brand," but I knew this gala was important - not just for the family, but for the message we needed to send: we were still standing.

Jake stood quietly beside the bed, stoic as ever, holding up different fabric swatches against my arm with careful precision. His touch was professional, respectful, but there was a quiet care in the way he adjusted the angle of the light so I could see the colors better.

"This metallic light teal brings out the warmth in your skin tone," he said calmly, voice low and smooth. "It matches your aura - strong, but soft. Elegant without trying too hard." He paused, then added in the same even tone, "Rafiq is still in jail. Refusing to speak. No bail yet."

Well. One way to drop news.

I nodded, trying to focus on the colors instead of the knot in my stomach. 

My gaze wandered on the rest of the materials until it went back to the teal he showed me. He wasn't lying about it being an elegant color. 

To have a second choice, I was still comparing two shades of deep emerald when my phone buzzed on the bedside table. A video message from an unknown number.

My heart skipped. I blocked Valentina a week ago.

Against my better judgment, I tapped play.

The video started. Valentina's face filled the screen. Her makeup was smudged, eyes red and puffy. She looked like she hadn't slept in days.

"You think you've won?" she whispered, voice trembling with rage and tears. "I gave everything for my son. I fought for him. And you... you just walked in and took it all. My man. My life. My future. I have to do what I can to give him a better life. I'm trying to be a better mother... for the second time."

She laughed bitterly, the sound broken. "But you'll never understand that, will you? You have always had people make sacrifices for your entitled ass including myself!"

The video ended.

The fuck was wrong with her?

I stared at the screen, chest tight. Jake noticed immediately and gently took the phone from my hand. The look on his face, I knew Matoe must have asked him to say that.

"Miss Isabella?"

I shook my head. "It's nothing. Just... noise."

Before I could spiral further, the door opened.

Mateo walked in, still in his meeting suit, looking exhausted but relieved to see me. Jake gave a small nod and quietly excused himself, closing the door behind him.

Mateo crossed to the bed and sat on the edge, taking both my hands in his.

"How are you feeling?" he asked softly, eyes searching my face.

"Good," I admitted. "So... okay." I squeezed his hands and pulled him closer to sniff him. 

He does smell nice. "New body wash or spray?" I asked 

He grinned as if he was waiting for me to notice "I saw it. They say the smell is mild and pregnant women love it so I ..." She shrugged, before giving me a tiny excited body wiggle.

"I could eat you" I whispered.

He leaned closer, eyes dark with desire "You can eat me up anytime bad girl" he replied as he sat.

We sat in comfortable silence for a moment, his thumb stroking the back of my hand. Then I checked the gala invitation on my phone and froze.

"Wait... the gala is on the 28th?" I laughed in disbelief. "That's my birthday."

Mateo grinned, a little sheepish. "I know. We still have like two weeks. We can still skip it or make guest appearances."

I shook my head, smiling like a fish. "Are you kidding me? I will gang up with your mom against you if you even try."

He laughed - that deep, warm sound I loved - and leaned in, kissing me softly at first, then deeper. His hand slid to my waist, careful but possessive. I melted into him, giggling when the kiss grew heated and I remembered the stylists were still waiting.

We broke apart, both a little breathless and shy.

Lucian passed by the open doorway, headphones on, looking quieter than usual since the incident. He glanced in, clearly wanting to be involved but unsure.

I smiled and waved him over. "Lucian, come help me pick colors. Your father is hopeless with shades of teal." I tired to start a conversation.

Matoe looked at the display. For a moment I thought I was wrong until I saw he was really struggling to place the colors.

"It's all the same. Are you kidding me?" He asked 

Lucian came closer, a small smile breaking through his silence. He studied the swatches seriously, then pointed to one. "This one. It's different under white light. It's beautiful" he gave a shy smile.

I looked at it to see it was the same metallic teal Jake suggested the same earlier. Uhmm. Better eyes than his father.

He relaxed as he explained the combinations, showing us how certain fabrics would catch the light. For the first time in days, he looked like himself again - engaged, thoughtful, part of the family.

Mateo watched us. He seems fascinated about us talking about colors he doesn't understand and when we look at him, he just grinned and nods like he was in class.

" You don't even understand, don't lie " Lucian tilted his head.

Matoe gave a playful nonchalant look. He looked like he wanted to defend himself but Lucian handed him a green, blue, and teal material.

"There might be a little difference" Even I turn to glance properly at Mateo "Maybe I am half colour blind" Matoe added with a grin.