Chapter 151 You owed me

Chapter 151 You owed me
Days had past. Dare to say life went back to being almost cotton candy and rainbow.

Sorting outfits. Still limited in movement, something clicked. The branding Mrs Rossi talked about, could it be the plan I had with Matoe? Was she setting up my blueprint for me already?

I sighed and looked up to see Matoe. He has been out all days I could not tell what he wants was really doing.

"So...no bail for Rafiq" he said..
I nodded, my mind was somewhere else, Valentina's message. 

Some part of me what to see her. To know what she wants to talk while the other sensible part knew it would be nothing but evil. What if I get stupid enough to see her in private and she stabs me.

I shivered at the thought of that.

Matoe's mouth moved before I heard him. I blinked, waiting for him to repeat again.

"I said, I was thinking of you to tease your company. You know, for people to have it in mind" he said.

I nodded. He wasn't wrong though but won't it clash with his mom's business? Or what?

I shrugged and turned to face him.
"how did Valentina take it when you told her about Rafiq?" I asked.

Matoe lean on the wall as he thought. "I just sent her a message. And I think my dad already talked to her before I did." He replied.

I stood up and walked to him. Hand in hand, we went to his room. Gosh, I have been spending lots of time in the guest room lately while he gets someone to fix the tub.

Getting to his room, I took me in a tight hug and just stayed there. 

" You good?" 

" Huh-huh" he hummed as he slowly began to move. Slow dance in absolute silence.

I leaned into his chest, breathing in his scent. "She sounded... unhinged. Like she's really losing it. I have this gut feeling like she has something more to say"

Mateo rubbed my back in slow circles. "We'll handle her. But right now, you need to rest. No more stress, remember."

We stayed like that for a while before the conversation turned to the heavier topic.

"I've been thinking about Lucian," I said softly. "Legally. What do we have to do?"

Mateo, now sat on the edge of the bed, taking both my hands. "We have you. That gives me stronger parental rights. Then we file for formal adoption. It won't be easy - Rafiq might fight it in court, and a paternity test could be demanded. But I'm ready to fight the government if I have to. He's my son. In every way that matters."

Tears filled my eyes. The relief was overwhelming. "You really want to keep him? Even knowing...?"

Mateo smiled, soft and sure. "He's been my boy since the day I held him. Nothing changes that."

I hugged him tightly, happiness blooming in my chest despite everything.

"He's still in jail. But he's talking about suing me and trying to get Lucian back. He wants custody. Valentina too might."

I felt a chill. "What are you going to do?"

"I need to talk to Lucian first," Mateo said. "He deserves to have a say."

I smiled faintly. "You know he sang yesterday. Actually while drawing in the garden. He's been so quiet since the incident... it was nice to hear."

Mateo's face lit up with genuine joy. "Really? That's... that's good. I'm going to watch his gaming stream tonight. Just to support him. Let him know I'm there. But now? I know you didn't eat all day."

He stood up and took off his jacket.

As I stood up slowly to get something to eat, Mateo didn't let me take a single step. He scooped me up effortlessly, making me laugh as he carried me toward the kitchen.

The laughter faded the moment we passed the spot where the fight had happened. The marble seems brand new like nothing happened. I tensed in his arms.

"I want to have it redecorated," Mateo said quietly. "For Lucian too. So it won't be traumatic for him."

I nodded, swallowing hard. Maybe like a huge vase, or a shelf for books or decor 

Elena was still resting after her concussion, so the cook prepared a light meal. While I waited, I scrolled through my phone - updates from Berlin, hospital gossip, social media. Then I saw a post about Lukas Berger.

His teenage daughter was doing a big IT platform collab with him. In the video, Lukas sat silently in the background, cold and detached, while his daughter handled all the talking. Comments were mixed - some praised her, others noted how cold her father looked.

I felt Mateo's eyes on my phone. Since he was close enough, I knew he saw it. When I looked up, his expression held quiet worry, like he was scared I still had feelings for Lukas.

I set the phone down and smirked. "It's not easy to get rid of me, Daddy."

I leaned in and playfully bit his earlobe.

Mateo's reaction was instant. He grabbed me, pulling me close and kissing me senseless - deep, hungry, full of relief and need. I giggled against his lips.

"Remember I'm still glass," I whispered. "Don't break me."

He softened immediately, pulling my chair closer so he could run his fingers through my hair, gentle and reverent.

After a moment of comfortable silence, I said, "So I am almost 9 weeks along. I was thinking about the DNA test again. For Lukas."

Mateo nodded, but I caught the tension in his jaw. For a split second, I saw fear in his eyes. The kind of fear I almost believed.

"What if you don't do it. I know the baby is mine" he said.

I just flashed him a smile.

'What if Lukas was right about being the father?' I thought.

Before I could say anything else, my phone buzzed again.

A new message from Valentina from an unknown number.

Valentina: 
Isabella, we need to talk. This isn't about Lucian. This is about you. I can't get several meters to your fucking white picket fence but I won't back down from this. After all, you are alive today because of me. Yes! You fucking owe me.
Don't keep me waiting.
Valentina.

I stared at the screen, mind blank.