His Merciless Redemption novel Chapter 131

Chapter 131

Isabella’s POV

Last night had been emotionally intense, sure, but it had also felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Even though there were still a lot of issues between Dominic and me, the conversation we’d had last night had cleared the biggest misunderstanding between us.

Over time, I’d realised the two of us lacked communication skills and needed to work on that. However, there were still a lot of unresolved things between us. I still wasn’t sure where I stood with him about the Nico thing and what he did yesterday when he followed me and scared that woman away.

Even so, after our conversation last night, it felt as if we might just work it all out.

That was until I walked into the dining area the next morning with Mateo by my side.

Vittoria was already seated upright like a queen surveying her court with Salvatore beside her. Alessia across from them like usual, pale and delicate. Caterina sat at the head of the table while Dominic stood near the window, coffee in hand.

Mateo slipped into his chair beside me, cheerful and unaware.

For about three minutes, everything was civil.

Then Vittoria began.

“Mateo,” she said, watching him spread jam on his toast. “You should use the knife more carefully. A boy of your name must carry himself properly.”

He looked up, confused but polite. “Yes, signora.”

I stiffened.

“He is not just any child,” she continued, glancing at Dominic. “He is the future of the Russo family. He should be raised accordingly.”

My fork paused mid–air.

“He is being raised accordingly,” I said evenly.

Vittoria smiled faintly. “Of course. I simply mean that discipline and structure are important. Especially for boys born into legacy.”

Dominic’s jaw tightened. “Isa knows how to raise her son.”

“Our son,” Caterina corrected gently.

Vittoria waved a dismissive hand. “I’m not criticizing. I’m advising. There is a difference.”

I felt the slow burn start in my chest.

“Perhaps,” she added lightly, “he should begin dining separately with the men. Learn the proper dynamics of the family.”

That was it.

Dominic spoke first. “He’s too young for that.”

Caterina added firmly, “And he is perfectly behaved.”

But I put my fork down.

“I’ll handle it,” I said calmly.

Dominic looked at me, cautious.

I turned fully to Vittoria.

“Mateo is a kind, intelligent, respectful child,” I said. “He says please and thank you. He does well in school. He treats people with empathy. That is what matters.”

Vittoria’s lips thinned.

“You’ve been in this house for barely a week,” I continued evenly. “You don’t get to comment on his habits or my parenting style.”

The table went silent.

Salvatore shifted uncomfortably.

“I am only concerned for the family name,” Vittoria said coolly.

“And I am concerned for my son’s well–being,” I replied, matching her tone perfectly. “And that includes not having him scrutinized over how he spreads jam.”

Mateo stared at me wide–eyed.

Dominic’s mouth twitched like he was holding back a reaction.

Vittoria opened her mouth again, but I was done.

“If there are concerns,” I said, standing, “they can be brought to Dominic privately. Not in front of my

I didn’t wait for a response.

I took Mateo’s hand and left the room.

child.”

I heard Caterina calling after us to at least finish our breakfast, but I’d lost my appetite. And I was sure Mateo wouldn’t have eaten anything even if we’d sat at that table.

We didn’t stop walking until we reached the hallway near the stairs.

“Mamma?”

I knelt in front of him.

“What happened in there? What was she talking about?” he asked softly.

I brushed his hair back gently. “Nothing happened. Grown–ups sometimes disagree.”

He frowned. “I don’t like that woman.”

I blinked.

“She says things about you,” he continued. “And I don’t like it.”

My chest tightened painfully.

“I want it to go back to how it was before they came,” he said. “When it was just us.”

The words pierced deeper than Vittoria ever could.

I pulled him into a hug. “I know.”

And I did.

Footsteps approached.

Dominic.

He had clearly heard the last part.

He crouched down beside us. “Hey.”

Mateo looked at him cautiously. “Dominic, I don’t want to eat with them anymore.”

Dominic didn’t hesitate. “Then you won’t.”

Mateo blinked. “Really?”

“Yes. If it makes you uncomfortable, you don’t have to.”

“And they say mean things to mamma,” Mateo added seriously. “I won’t sit there and listen.”

Something fierce flashed in Dominic’s eyes.

“That won’t happen again,” he said firmly. “I promise.”

Mateo studied him for a moment, then nodded slowly.

“Okay.”

Chapter 131

Dominic stood and extended his hand. “Let’s get you to school.”

We both grabbed our thing and Dominic himself drove us both that day.

After we dropped Mateo off at his school, Dominic and I sat in silence for a moment before he spoke.

“I’m sorry,” he said.

“For what?”

“For Vittoria. For breakfast. For not stopping it sooner.”

I looked out the window before turning to look at him.

“It’s not your fault she’s a bitch,” I said flatly.

His eyebrows lifted slightly despite himself.

“But she needs to stay in line,” I added. “Especially when Mateo is around.”

“She will,” Dominic said. “I’ll speak to her.”

“You’ll do more than speak,” I replied calmly. “You’ll make it clear that Mateo and I are not open for critique.”

He nodded without argument.

“I will.”

The simplicity of that startled me.

There was no defensiveness, no ego, no justification.

Just agreement.

I studied him quietly.

“Thank you,” I said finally.

He glanced at me, surprised.

“For standing up for him.”

“And you,” he added softly.

A strange warmth flickered in my chest.

This was new.

We had agreed on something, without him saying no first, without fighting, without tearing each other apart.

As Dominic pulled up outside my office, I felt something unfamiliar settle in my chest.

Chapter 13

Not certainty.

Not forgiveness.

But possibility.

Maybe this was what steady progress looked like.

Small. Quiet. Earned.

Maybe there was still hope.

I knew love wasn’t enough to hold us together, but maybe, we had more than just love. And I was glad we did.

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