Chapter 3 The Gilded Cage

• After her mother dropped the bombshell, Isabelle was in a haze for the next four days.
• Her mind was spinning.
• Numb to the world around her, she meandered through her small apartment while she struggled with the realities of her new circumstances.
• She was about to become a wife, to no less an unknown person.
• Other than his enormous riches and power, she knew nothing about this man.
• Her flesh crawled at the thought.
• Naturally, Gina continued to act exasperatingly casually over the entire situation.
• One afternoon, she came briskly into the flat with an armful of shopping bags and chastised, "Stop moping around, Isabelle. This is a good thing!"
• Isabelle shot her mother an incredulous look from her spot on the worn sofa.
• "How can you say that? You sold me off like a piece of property!"
• Gina waved her hand dismissively.
• "Reduce this drama, Isa. Haven't I done what I am supposed to do as a mother? You still want to be ungrateful?" She said through gritted teeth.
• Isabelle seethed. "By trading me away to a stranger?"
• "Last time I checked Liam Callahan is not exactly unfamiliar." Gina retorted.
• He is among the richest and most influential guys in the city.
• You need to be giving me thanks. Isabelle felt a twist of disgust in her stomach.
• Expressing gratitude? For duping me into a marriage devoid of passion?" Gina gave her a hard, glaring look before breezing past her.
• Her heels clicked against the hardwood floors and flung open the door.
• I noticed a shapely woman who stood on the other side, her expression was that of polite indifference.
• The woman asked, her eyes darting to Isabelle,
• "Miss Marino?"
• Gina gave a stately nod. "This is Isabelle, my daughter. Mr. Callahan's prospective bride."
• The female gave a tense smile.
• "Obviously. I'm Eliza, the personal assistant to Mr. Callahan. I've been sent by him to accompany you to your new home."
• Isabelle's heart felt icy.
• "My... new residence?"
• "Yes, Miss Marino," Eliza calmly answered.
• The plan is for you to move into Mr. Callahan's penthouse right away.
• There, a car is waiting to transport you."
• The situation's truth hit Isabelle so hard that her mind whirled.
• She was being carried off to marry a man she hardly knew; this was occurring.
• "I... I don't have anything packed," was all she could manage.
• She shouldn't worry, Eliza reassured her.
• "Mr. Callahan has made arrangements for the collection and delivery of your possessions to the penthouse. Right now, we ought to be leaving."
• Isabelle's eyes darted to her mother as if to beg her to stop being so crazy.
• However, Gina's expression stayed incredibly composed.
• "Go on, sweetheart," she nudged her as she pushed her in the door.
• "Don't keep Mr. Callahan waiting." A strong mixture of disgust and terror swirled in Isabelle's gut.
• It was true that she was being ripped from the only life she had ever known and placed in a lavish prison due to her mother's avarice.
• She trailed behind Eliza into the corridor, her every step felt like a nail driving a stake into her freedom.
• She took one last, desperate look over her shoulder at the life she was leaving behind as the door clicked shut behind her.
• She realized at that very instant that nothing would ever be the same.
• *****
• The elegant town vehicle slid through the urban streets, giving Isabelle a warped perspective of the outside world through the tinted windows.
• Curling into a ball in the luxurious leather seat, she seemed to be trying to protect her bones from the cold.
• Next to her, Eliza, who was always professional, was sitting rigidly and efficiently, tapping on her tablet.
• She had left Isabelle alone with her whirling thoughts, having provided little in the way of conversation.
• Isabelle felt her breath catch in her throat as the automobile approached a soaring glass-and-steel monolith.
• This was it, the gilded cage that would house Liam Callahan and keep her captive.
• Eliza led her past the staff's appraising looks, into the lavish lobby, and a private elevator.
• The climb was vertiginous, both literally and metaphorically, as Isabelle tracked the increasing floor numbers.
• At last, the elevator smoothly stopped, and the doors opened to show an opulent penthouse apartment.
• With a gaping expression on her face, Isabelle emerged to survey the expansive area.
• Elevated ceilings reached well above, and floor-to-ceiling windows provided an amazing perspective of the metropolitan skyline.
• An aura of sumptuous luxury was created by the sleek, contemporary finishes and plush furniture that adorned every nook and cranny.
• "Miss Marino, welcome to your new home," Eliza said in a clear voice that broke the quiet.
• With a sharp gulp, Isabelle's throat became parched.
• "It's... beautiful."
• "That's right," Eliza nodded curtly. "Mr. Callahan did not cut any corners. I'll bring you to your accommodations now if you'll follow me."
• Quarters?
• Isabelle tasted something bitter after hearing the term.
• Here she was, behind golden bars and everything, a prisoner.
• Eliza took her down a corridor that was full of locked doors before coming to a stop in front of one at the end.
• She pulled Isabelle in and the artist discovered herself in an opulent bedroom suite with a walk-in closet, sitting area, and private bathroom.
• Eliza told her, "Your belongings will be brought up shortly. Please settle in. Mr. Callahan is scheduled to join you for supper at precisely eight o'clock."
• Isabelle felt her heart thump in her chest. "Eat dinner? Alongside him?"
• Eliza raised her exquisitely styled brow. "Obviously. After all, you are to be his wife."
• The words hung there, oppressive and weighty.
• Isabelle felt lightheaded as the lavish surroundings closed in on her.
• Eliza appeared to detect her unease.
• "I'll let you get comfortable. Just utilize the house line if you need anything."
• She then pivoted on her heel and ran out of the room, leaving Isabelle by herself in her opulent cage.
• Isabelle fell onto the luscious bed's edge and swiveled her head as the door behind Eliza clicked shut.
• She was compelled to assume the role of a billionaire's wife and was living as a prisoner in a world of excess and money.
• And in a matter of hours, she would see her captor in person again.