Chapter 46: A Day of Care and Comfort

The sun had set in the late afternoon, casting a warm orange hue through the windows of the living room. Isabella had slept most of the day, her body finally succumbing to the rest it desperately needed. The fever still lingered, but the medicine Antonio had given her earlier had begun to ease her discomfort. She was curled up on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, her face still pale but less flushed than before.

Luca had been beside her most of the day, always bringing her small toys or his favorite comfort items. He seemed to sense her need for comfort, even if he didn’t fully understand why she wasn’t feeling well. He had quietly placed his favorite stuffed bear beside her, his big eyes watching her closely. “Mommy,” he whispered softly, his small voice filled with concern. “Feel better.”

His words, innocent and filled with genuine care, tugged at Isabella’s heart. She smiled weakly and kissed his forehead as he sat beside her, holding the stuffed bear in his tiny hands.

“Thank you, Luca,” she said softly, her voice hoarse but filled with affection. “You’re such a good boy.”

Luca nodded seriously, his wide eyes filled with understanding as he held his bear close to his chest. “Mommy, I help you feel better.”

And for the first time in what felt like forever, Isabella felt a sense of warmth flood through her—a warmth that was not just from the fever she had been battling, but from the quiet connection she had forged with Luca. This little boy, who had been a part of her life in unexpected ways, had become her source of strength. And now, he was trying to help her. The thought made her heart swell, and she hugged him close, grateful for the bond they had.

Meanwhile, Antonio was moving through the house with a purpose, his actions brisk but controlled. He was in full caretaker mode, the same intensity he applied to his business now poured into making sure that everything in their home was running smoothly. The staff had been instructed to handle all of the errands outside of the house, leaving Antonio to take care of everything inside. The sense of responsibility was something he had never taken lightly, but now, with Isabella ill, it seemed to weigh on him even more.

Antonio had begun preparing dinner, his movements deliberate as he chopped vegetables and set the table. There was a soft hum of concentration in his actions, a rhythm that showed his usual calm. He worked quickly, as if he had done this a thousand times, and yet there was something different about the way he handled everything. The house felt less like a cold, imposing mansion and more like a home—warm, lived-in, and full of life.

As he finished the last dish, he turned to look toward the living room, where Isabella rested on the couch with Luca beside her. His chest tightened with a mixture of emotions he couldn’t fully grasp. The sight of her vulnerable, yet still able to smile for Luca, made something stir inside him. His feelings for her were still raw, still complicated, but he couldn’t deny the tenderness he felt as he watched her care for Luca and let herself be cared for in return.

Walking over to her, he placed the tray of food on the coffee table in front of her. The fragrance of fresh herbs and roasted vegetables filled the room, and the rich scent of the meal seemed to bring the house to life. He knelt down beside her and gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

“I made dinner,” Antonio said quietly, his voice a little rough, though his eyes softened as they met hers. “You need to eat, Isabella. You’re not going to get better if you don’t.”

She looked up at him, a faint smile playing at her lips. Her exhaustion was still evident, but there was a gentleness to her expression that had not been there when she had first woken up. “I’m not hungry,” she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.

Antonio raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. “You haven’t eaten all day. You’re eating.” His tone wasn’t harsh, but there was an edge to it, the kind of firmness he used when he was serious about something.

“I’ll just have a little,” Isabella murmured, attempting to sit up, but a wave of dizziness hit her, and she collapsed back into the cushions. She felt like she couldn’t move, and the effort of trying to sit up made her head spin. Her gaze fell to the food on the table, but the thought of eating made her feel queasy.

Before she could protest any further, Antonio gently moved her, placing a soft hand on her back and guiding her into a sitting position. “I’m feeding you. No arguments,” he said with a gentle, yet commanding tone. His hands were steady as he grabbed a spoon and filled it with a bite of food, holding it up to her lips.

Isabella hesitated for a moment, but the warmth in his eyes, the way he was caring for her, made her melt into the moment. For a second, she felt like she could let go of all the doubts and walls she had built around herself. He wasn’t just the cold, controlling man she had been forced to marry. No, this man before her—helping her, guiding her, gently feeding her—was someone she had yet to fully understand.

With a soft sigh, Isabella opened her mouth and took the bite from him. The flavors of the food were comforting, a reminder of the way he had been trying so hard to take care of them both. She felt a pang of guilt—she hadn’t expected Antonio to take on the role of caregiver so thoroughly, especially when she knew he was already juggling so much.

“Good girl,” Antonio murmured, his voice warm as he helped her take another bite. “You need to keep your strength up. I won’t let you push yourself when you’re like this.”

Isabella smiled weakly, feeling a strange sense of gratitude. For once, she didn’t feel like she had to be strong for everyone. Antonio, despite all the barriers he had built, was showing her a side of him that was raw and vulnerable.

But it didn’t stop there. Antonio wasn’t just content with feeding her—he seemed determined to make sure she didn’t lift a finger. Every time she reached for something on the table or tried to get up, he gently stopped her, his eyes a mixture of concern and determination.

“I’ll handle everything,” he said firmly. “You rest.”

And that’s exactly what he did. Antonio took over everything, from cleaning up after the meal to tending to Luca’s needs. Isabella watched, amazed at how seamlessly he slipped into the role of caretaker, all while making sure she didn’t do a single thing.

Luca, seeing his father busy in the kitchen and Isabella resting on the couch, silently climbed onto the seat beside her, still holding his stuffed bear. He looked at her with wide eyes, his little fingers clutching the toy. He hadn’t fully grasped the concept of illness, but he knew that Isabella needed him. With a soft and innocent smile, Luca leaned into her, offering her the bear like a gift.

“Mommy,” Luca said softly, his voice filled with hope, “Bear help you feel better.”

Isabella couldn’t help but smile at the sweetness of the gesture. She took the bear into her hands and hugged it close to her chest. “Thank you, Luca,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Antonio, hearing the exchange, turned to look at the two of them, his heart tightening with something he couldn’t fully describe. It wasn’t just pride—it was something deeper. His son had grown to love Isabella, had trusted her, and in doing so, he had found a way to show love himself.

After making sure everything was in order, Antonio returned to Isabella’s side, bringing a soft blanket to cover her. He looked down at her with something that resembled softness in his gaze, though his face was still composed.

“Rest now,” he said gently. “I’ll take care of everything. Just… get better.”

Isabella nodded, feeling a warmth spread through her at his words. She closed her eyes, allowing herself to surrender to the comfort of his care. For the first time in a long while, she allowed herself to fully relax, knowing that she wasn’t alone in this. Antonio’s protective presence wrapped around her, making her feel safe, and that was something she had never expected to feel in this complicated, forced marriage. But somehow, through the cracks, there was room for tenderness, for healing, and for love.

As she drifted off into a peaceful sleep, her heart softened with the realization that Antonio—cold, complicated, and distant as he had been—was learning, step by step, what it meant to love, not just protect. And that, in itself, was a kind of magic she hadn’t believed in before.