Chapter 25

— Love, you can’t get up. — Aléssio admonished his wife, who was insisting on getting out of bed.
— I can't stand being in this bed any longer, love. My back is sore from lying down all the time.
— It's just for a short time, my queen. It's for you and our baby. As soon as he's born, we’ll be able to go wherever you want. Now, go back to your comfort and let Daddy take care of you. — Aléssio gently guided his beloved back to the bed.
— You’re gone all day, I have nothing to do, I can’t do anything. I’m exhausted. — Isabella’s eyes welled up with tears.
— I’ll hire a nurse to stay with you. What do you think?
— No! Love, I don’t want a babysitter following me around all the time. — Isa complained, lowering her head as tears formed in the corners of her eyes.
— What about your friend Paloma? Could she keep you company until the baby is born?
— Out of the question. She said goodbye at our last meeting and made it clear she prefers to keep her distance now that I’ve chosen to build a life with a drug dealer. She’s afraid.
— But it’s for a good cause. Don’t you think I should at least try?
— Try, who knows.
Aléssio immediately grabbed Isa’s phone and looked up Paloma’s number in the contacts. It wasn’t hard to find, as there were several heart emojis next to her name. Isabella really cared about Paloma. On the first ring, Paloma answered, as if she had been expecting the call.
— Friend! How are you?
— Hi Paloma. This is Aléssio.
An uncomfortable silence filled the line. Paloma didn’t say anything, she just breathed heavily.
— Hello. Are you there?
— What happened to my friend? You can speak, I’m ready.
Aléssio wasn’t surprised by his friend’s attitude, as Isa had shared the recent events during her meetings with Paloma and Paloma’s attempt to separate Isa from Aléssio.
— She’s fine, but she needs 24-hour company because the placenta ruptured and she needs complete rest. I thought you could take care of her while I'm not home.
— Of course. Definitely. I’ll take care of my friend, as long as there’s security at the entrance looking after us.
— Sure. Whatever you want. Can you come now? I have a relocation meeting and I can’t miss it.
Paloma agreed faster than Isabella expected. As soon as Aléssio hung up, Isa felt uneasy, wondering why Paloma, who had said she wanted distance, accepted so readily. She couldn’t stop thinking about what Dona Griselda had done when she convinced JJ to cause a scandal at Aléssio’s party.
Less than an hour later, Paloma rang the apartment’s doorbell and was soon inside.
— Hi, friend. How are you? — Paloma kissed Isabella’s face tenderly.
— Did Griselda talk to you? Did she send you? — Isa asked.
— Who is Griselda and what are you talking about?
— Goodbye, my love. Goodbye, Paloma. Take good care of my queen, okay? There are two security guards watching over you, one at the entrance and one in the hallway. — Aléssio said his farewells and left, leaving the two friends alone.
— Friend, what’s this story about Griselda? Who is this woman?
— She’s Aléssio’s mother. She paid JJ to create a scene at Aléssio’s party, and the poor guy ended up getting shot and dying right there. — Isa lowered her head and let her tears flow. — It’s all my fault.
— Friend, remember what I told you? You already knew that things like this could happen, — Paloma took a deep breath to assert her point — but calm down. JJ? The one who was in love with you when we lived on the street?
— Yes. That’s him. He died in my arms. — Isa now sobbed and couldn’t complete a sentence.
Paloma filled a glass with water that was already on the nightstand and handed it to Isa, who drank it with great difficulty due to her crying.
— I’m glad you’re here with me. You’re the only person I can count on and trust, besides Aléssio, of course.
— Do you really trust him? Even when he goes out alone like this?
— Yes, friend. I trust him. He’s never given me a reason not to. If he says, “I’ll be there at six,” he arrives at six. — A faint smile of joy formed on Isabella’s tear-streaked face. — Today, he’s handing over the reins to the new boss. He’s leaving the drug trade and going to law school.
— I think you really hit the jackpot. The redhead seems very affectionate… and handsome. — Paloma complimented. Isa nodded. — I, on the other hand, even though I have everything I want, have no one to love me and call my husband. — Paloma’s voice trembled. It was as if the pain of not having love had lodged itself in her throat at that moment. — But we’re not here to talk about me — Paloma stood up and went to the balcony, gazing at the sea — what a paradise — she exclaimed with emotion. The soft sound of the waves breaking on the shore added a magical touch to the environment.
— Sometimes, life holds unexpected surprises for us, Paloma. Who knows, love might be closer than you think? — Isa tried to comfort her friend with sweet words.
Paloma gave a weak smile, appreciating Isa’s kindness. However, before they could continue their conversation, a strange sound echoed from inside the house. A muffled noise, as if something were moving. Curious, the two exchanged glances, and Paloma gestured for Isa to be silent before heading inside to investigate.
When she returned, she found a sealed envelope on the coffee table. Paloma picked it up, noticing Isabella’s name written elegantly on it. Intrigued, she opened the envelope and found a letter. As she read, her eyes widened, and her expression shifted from surprise to shock.
— What is it, Paloma? — Isabella asked, anxious.
Paloma took a deep breath, unsure if she should reveal the contents of the envelope given her friend’s condition.
— It’s a message from destiny, Isa. It seems life has other plans for us. And it looks like we’re in for a big surprise.
Queen of the Underworld - the sovereign metamorphosis of Isabella Russo
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