His Merciless Redemption novel Chapter 118

Chapter 118

Chapter 118

Isabella’s POV

Getting Caterina home felt like exhaling after holding my breath for far too long.

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Dominic hovered the entire time, one hand at her elbow as she stepped inside, his body angled protectively, his eyes tracking every small movement like he expected her to vanish if he looked away for even a second. Mateo darted around them, talking a mile a minute, announcing every detail of the house like Caterina hadn’t lived here before.

I stayed a step back, watching.

Relief was the loudest feeling in my chest. Relief that she was up light. Talking. Smiling. That the monitors and the white hospital walls were behind us.

But underneath it all, my mind was already moving again.

I couldn’t afford to be blind anymore.

If Alessia was lying, and I was starting to believe she was, then the worst thing I could do was confront her too early. No accusations. No tension. No letting her see suspicion on my face.

Keep your friends close, my mind supplied quietly. And your enemies closer.

When I turned and saw Alessia standing near the doorway, perfectly composed, I made a decision.

I would get close.

I would let her think I was an ally. I would talk to her like we were friends, like I wanted to help her through this pregnancy. In doing so, I would get access to her records, her life, find out who she met with and when, and maybe that would eventually help me figure out what exactly she was hiding.

“How are you doing?” I asked her, genuinely gentle.

She blinked, clearly not expecting the question. “I’m… alright,” she said. “A little tired, but that’s normal.”

“I imagine,” I said. “When was your last hospital visit?”

“A few days ago.”

“And the next one?”

“In a few days,” she replied, a touch more guarded now.

“I’d love to come with you,” I said easily. “If that’s okay.”

Her eyes flicked to Dominic’s retreating back as he guided Catera inside, then back to me. “Dominic usually takes me. You don’t need to trouble yourself”

“I know. It’s not trouble at all,” I said. “I just thought it might help Sometimes another woman understands things differently.”

That did it.

She hesitated just a fraction too long, but then nodded. “Alright

“Good,” I said warmly. “We can make a morning of it.”

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20 22 Tue, Feb 30 O

Chapter 118

I let the conversation breathe before adding, “Have they put you on supplements yet? Iron? Folic acid?”

She shifted her weight. “Yes. The usual.”

“Prenatal DHA” I pressed lightly. “They really emphasize that now.”

“Yes,” she said quickly. “That too.”

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I nodded, pretending to be satisfied, even as something tightene in my chest.

“What about calcium?” I continued, tone conversational. “I remember they warned me a lot about bone density later.”

“They, uh, they mentioned it,” she said. She was being vague, and was careful about it, too. Almost as if she didn’t want to say too much.

I wanted to ask more, press more, but I didn’t want her becoming suspicious of my intentions so soon. Instead, I smiled back. “Of course. You should ask more about it the next time you go.”

She nodded, giving me a smile that seemed a touch too relieved

“Have you thought about getting a crib yet?” I asked. “We could go shopping together tomorrow evening if you’d like.”

Her fingers curled briefly against her bag strap. “You don’t have do that.”

“I’d like to,” I said. “It’s no trouble.”

She studied me for a second, clearly trying to read what had changed.

Then she nodded. “Alright.”

Behind us, Dominic finally turned. “Brunch is ready.”

Alessia shook her head. “I ate already.”

And Caterina had eaten back at the hospital according to her die schedule. So, it was just the three of us.

Mateo climbed into his chair, swinging his legs happily. “Nonna home,” he announced, like it was the greatest victory of his

life.

“Yes,” I said softly. “She is.”

“I was really scared,” he admitted, spoon pausing midair. “I did like it when she didn’t wake up”

Dominic’s jaw tightened. “She’s okay now.”

Mateo nodded solemnly, then brightened when I put jam on a toast and slid it on to his plate.

“Hey, Mateo, I began, recalling the conversation I’d had with Dominic last night. “What if Nonna stayed with us all the time? How would you feel about that?” I asked him. Even though I knew he wouldn’t object, I figured I should still ask him once.

His eyes lit up at my words, making me smile. “I’d love it!”

Dominic watched him, something tender and raw crossing his fe

“You’re a good boy,” he said quietly. “You know that?”

Mateo nodded. “I do Mamma taught me how to be good”

“That she did,” Dominic agreed quietly

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20:22 Tue, Feb 3

Chapter 118

I smiled, even as I felt Dominic’s presence beside me like an unanswered question.

I didn’t look at him.

Didn’t speak to him.

Not yet.

I wasn’t ready to soften where he was concerned. Not when there were still too many lies hanging in the air.

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And as I thought about Alessia, her careful smiles, her evasive answers, I knew one thing with absolute certainty, that whatever she thought she had gotten away with, I wouldn’t let her.

This time, I wouldn’t be caught unprepared.

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