You’re not in a position to argue!
Isla's POV
The days following the confrontation with Angelo were a blur of mixed emotions. Despite Lucien’s reassurances, I couldn’t shake the tension between me and his son. Angelo remained distant and cold, his presence almost suffocating whenever he was in the same room. He barely acknowledged me, his sharp glances enough to make my skin crawl.
But I didn’t mind. My focus was on the baby. His tiny hands reached for mine every time I approached him, his innocent trust filling me with a sense of purpose I hadn’t felt in years. The warmth of his little body as he slept in my arms gave me comfort, and I found myself grateful for the distraction from the storm brewing around me.
One evening, after putting the baby to sleep, I sat in the small living room, curled up on the couch, reading. The mansion was eerily quiet, the only sound the ticking of the clock on the wall. I’d become accustomed to the silence, the way everything felt too large and hollow around me.
Suddenly, the door to the study opened, and I looked up to see Angelo walking in. His jaw was clenched, his posture rigid, and he held himself with an air of someone who had too much pride to admit defeat.
“You,” he said, his voice colder than ice. “Come with me.”
I hesitated, heart racing at the sudden command. “What… what is it?”
“Just do as I say,” he snapped, his tone brooking no argument. “Now.”
Reluctantly, I stood up, my body tense, and followed him down the hallway. I couldn’t help but feel like a prisoner being led to an interrogation. He didn’t speak as we walked, his strides purposeful and fast.
When we reached his office, he opened the door and stepped aside to let me in. The room was dimly lit, a large mahogany desk dominating the center. I could see the traces of papers scattered across the surface, and the faint outline of a glass of whiskey resting nearby.
He closed the door behind us and turned to face me, his expression unreadable.
“Sit,” he ordered.
I obeyed, sitting down in the chair in front of the desk. The tension in the room was thick, and I couldn’t help but feel like I was walking a fine line between fear and curiosity.
“Listen, Isla,” he began, his voice low but firm. “I’m not doing this because I want to. But I’ve been told to make sure you’re taken care of while you’re here.”
I raised an eyebrow, not understanding what he meant. “Taken care of? What do you mean?”
He stepped closer, his eyes narrowing slightly. “I don’t trust you. I don’t trust anyone who just walks into my family’s life and expects everything to fall into place. But my father, for some reason, thinks you’re worth the trouble.”
I swallowed, my heart thudding painfully in my chest. “I’m just here to take care of the baby, Angelo. I’m not here to cause any trouble.”
His eyes flicked to mine, and for a split second, I saw something darker behind them—a flicker of something intense, almost dangerous.
“You’re not in a position to argue,” he said coldly, stepping away. “But just so we’re clear… I don’t care what my father says. You’re nothing but a temporary solution. Once you’ve served your purpose, I won’t hesitate to remove you from this house.”
His words hit me like a slap, and I felt my chest tighten with a mixture of anger and fear. He was trying to intimidate me, trying to remind me of my place in his world. And for a moment, I wanted to scream, to lash out. But I held my tongue, knowing that the more I reacted, the more control he’d have over me.
I stood, meeting his gaze with as much defiance as I could muster. “I don’t need your approval, Angelo,” I said, my voice steady despite the storm brewing inside me. “I’m here for the baby, and that’s all that matters. If you can’t understand that, then maybe it’s you who needs to leave.”
For the briefest moment, I saw the flicker of surprise in his eyes, before his cold mask slipped back into place. He opened his mouth to speak, but I turned and walked toward the door, refusing to let him have the last word.
Before I could exit, he called after me, his voice darker than before. “You’re making a mistake, Isla. Don’t think you’ll be safe in my house forever.”
I paused at the door, my back to him. “I’m not afraid of you,” I said quietly, before stepping out, closing the door behind me with a firm click.
I didn’t know what would happen next. But I knew one thing for sure: this wasn’t over. Angelo might think he had control, but I wasn’t about to let him push me around. Not anymore.
As I made my way back to the nursery, the baby’s soft cry greeted me. I took a deep breath, steadying myself. No matter what, I would protect him. And somehow, I’d make this work. I had to.