The curtains breathed softly with the evening wind. Isabella sat cross-legged on the edge of her bed, running her fingers idly over the embroidery of her nightgown, her thoughts somewhere far beyond the four walls of her room. When the door opened with a quiet knock, she didn't look up at once.
"You asked for me, Isabella?" Selena's voice carried its usual calm warmth, like a candle you didn't notice until the dark grew too thick.
"Yes, I did," Isabella said, straightening. Her brow furrowed slightly. "Who was that other maid that was here a moment ago?"
Selena tilted her head, puzzled. "Oh, that was Maritza. She brought in your fresh linens. I was still down in the laundry room finishing up the men's uniforms."
"Maritza." Isabella repeated the name slowly, as though tasting it. "I don't like her."
Selena blinked, then laughed softly. "You don't even know her."
"I don't need to," Isabella said with a little grimace. "She gives me the creeps. The way she looks at everything in this room like she's memorizing it."
Selena smiled, crossing her arms. "Maybe she's just curious. Or maybe she can't believe someone actually gets to sleep on sheets that soft."
"Well, she can stay curious," Isabella replied, her tone half-serious, half-playful. "I only want you like it has always been."
Selena raised an amused brow. "Only me? My, my. Señora Navarro, are you becoming possessive?"
Isabella rolled her eyes, but the faintest hint of a smile tugged at her lips. "You make it sound like I'm helpless without you."
"You are," Selena said lightly, pretending to inspect her nails. "If I disappeared for a day, you'd probably starve or wear two different slippers."
"That's not true,I did all the chores in my father's house."
"Really? Last week you nearly burned the hem of your dress trying to warm your hands over the fire place."
Isabella pressed a hand to her chest in mock offense. "That was an accident."
Selena laughed then, a real laugh, the kind that softened her entire face. "You're hopeless, Isabella. And now you want me as your personal guard against poor Maritza."
"Call it what you want," Isabella said, though her smile lingered. "At least you don't stare at me like I'm about to break."
Selena's teasing softened into something gentler. "That's because you already broke once. The trick is learning how to shine through the cracks."
They were quiet for a heartbeat, the kind of silence that wasn't heavy. Then Isabella exhaled and looked away toward the window.
"It's been three weeks," she said quietly.
Selena blinked. "Since…?"
"Since he's asked for me." Isabella's voice was steady, but her hands twisted slightly in her lap. "Three weeks and nothing. No summons, no message. It's strange."
Selena sat beside her on the bed, tilting her head. "And that worries you?"
"I don't know what it means." Isabella's gaze stayed on the window, where the lights from the courtyard flickered like distant stars. "Maybe he's bored of me already. Maybe he's testing me. I just....." she sighed. "I haven't even had a chance to try what you taught me."
Selena grinned, eyes sparkling with mischief. "You sound like a student impatient for her final exam."
"Don't make fun of me," Isabella said, groaning softly.
"Oh, I'm not," Selena teased. "You just sound a little… how do I say this delicately…" She tapped her chin as if thinking. "Sex-starved?"
Isabella's head snapped toward her, eyes wide. "Selena!"
Selena laughed so hard she nearly fell off the bed. "What? You said it's been three weeks, You're pacing like a widow."
"I am not," Isabella protested, though her cheeks colored. "I'm just… curious about what happens next. That's all."
"Of course you are." Selena's grin widened. "And the next time he calls, you'll be ready like a soldier waiting for battle."
"Battle," Isabella muttered, frowning playfully. "That's exactly what it feels like."
Selena nudged her shoulder. "Then use what I taught you. Remember, it's not about winning or losing. It's about showing him you can hold your ground."
Isabella sighed, half-smiling. "I'll try. Though I'm starting to think you should be the one handling him, not me."
"Oh Please," Selena said, waving a hand. "One devil in my life is enough. You're his wife, you deal with the horns." The words slipped out before she could stop them. For a heartbeat, silence filled the space.
Isabella straightened. "What do you mean by that?"
Selena blinked, the mask sliding back into place almost too quickly. "Nothing." She waved a hand, forcing a small laugh. "Just saying I've had my fair share of trouble in this house."
But Isabella didn't buy it. "Selena," she said carefully, "you looked… different when you said that."
Selena turned away, busying herself with the pillows again. "I look different because I've been cleaning this place since dawn."
"Selena." Isabella called out lovingly and cautiously.
Her name, said like that made her pause. She stood up and smoothed the duvet again, her fingers trembling slightly, then cleared her throat. "It's nothing you need to worry about, señora. Really."
She straightened abruptly, brushing imaginary lint from her apron. "You've barely eaten today. I'll go get you some fruit from the kitchen."
"Selena...."
"I'll be right back." She smiled too brightly, too fast, and slipped toward the door before Isabella could say another word.
When the door clicked shut, Isabella sat in the quiet room, frowning. There'd been something in Selena's eyes, something sharp and wounded that didn't belong to the cheerful woman she knew.
For the first time, Isabella wondered if she was the only one trapped in this mansion's beautiful cage.