His Merciless Redemption novel Chapter 133

Chapter 133

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Dominic’s POV

I made sure that Vittoria and Salvatore weren’t present with Mateo and me when we had lunch, just like I’d promised Isa and Mateo I would do after how distressed the two of them had become that morning.

“Are

you feeling better now, Mateo? How was school?” My mother asked him as the three of us took our seats for lunch.

“Yes! I like having meals when it’s just us and Mamma,” he told her happily before launching into a monologue about what all he did at school today.

1

I exchanged a look with my mother, one that clearly told me, without words, that I needed to have a chat with Vittoria and Salvatore about what had happened during breakfast.

I respected them both a great deal, but they had another thing coming if they thought they could get away with disrespecting my wife and kid in my own home.

Once lunch was over and I was sure Mateo was busy with my mother and Maria, I left to go find Vittoria and Salvatore.

I found them in the study soon after.

Vittoria was seated stiffly on the velvet armchair, a porcelain teacup balanced in her hand like she was holding court instead of visiting someone else’s home. Salvatore stood near the window, pretending to admire the garden.

“Zia,” I said evenly.

She looked up, already guarded. “Dominic.”

Salvatore

gave me a small nod. “Nephew.”

“I’d like a word.”

Vittoria’s lips pressed thin, but she set her cup down. “We didn’t join you all for lunch like you requested. But if this is about breakfast-”

“It is,” I cut in.

Her chin lifted. “I was only advising. Mateo is the future of this family. He should be raised with—”

“He is being raised perfectly,” I said, my voice hardening despite my effort to keep it calm. Like I said, I didn’t really want to disrespect them by raising my voice or anything, but I wouldn’t back down either. “He’s respectful. Kind. Intelligent. Confident. That is because of Isabella.”

Vittoria scoffed softly. “Confidence without discipline becomes arrogance.”

“He’s just a kid,” I snapped. “He’s not a prince being groomed for a throne.”

“He carries the Russo name.”

“And he carries it well.”

She stood then, silk rustling sharply. “I was thinking of their betterment. Isabella coddles him.”

“Cut the crap,” I said flatly, my patience wearing thin.

Salvatore shifted at that, but didn’t interrupt.

Vittoria’s eyes flashed. “Excuse me?”

“You don’t like Isabella,” I continued, my voice low but controlled. “Fine. That’s your choice. But do not disguise it as concern for my son.”

Her nostrils flared. “She is not suited for this family.”

“She is my wife.”

The words left my mouth without hesitation.

In hindsight, she wasn’t. Because she had legally gotten divorced from me even though I never really got the papers. But they didn’t know that. Besides, I still thought of her as my wife. Always had. Always would.

Silence dropped heavy between us at my words.

Vittoria laughed once, sharp and incredulous. “Wife? You call that—”

“Yes,” I said, stepping closer. “And you will respect her as such.”

Salvatore stepped forward slightly. “Dominic-”

“No,” I said, eyes never leaving Vittoria’s. “You will not make her uncomfortable in her own home. You will not make my son uncomfortable at his own table.”

“I have done nothing but speak truth,” she snapped. “You are blinded.”

“By what? Loving my family?” I asked, incredulous.

“By choosing the wrong woman.”

I felt my jaw tighten. “Be very

careful.”

“You will regret this,” Vittoria hissed. “When the consequences of your softness catch up to you.”

Softness.

The word might have amused me once.

Now it only angered me.

“If protecting my wife and child makes me soft,” I said quietly, “then I’ll wear it proudly.”

Her face flushed red with fury.

“You’ve changed,” she accused.

“Yes,” I replied simply. “I have.”

For a moment, it looked like Vittoria might say something unforgivable.

Salvatore stepped between us then, hands raised slightly.

“That’s enough,” he said firmly. “We are guests.”

Vittoria turned away sharply.

Salvatore met my gaze, more measured. “We will be returning home soon.”

I hadn’t wanted them to leave here like this. I hadn’t wanted it to come to this. But there was no way in hell I was going to sit back and watch while they treated Isa like she was beneath them when she was anything but.

I’d tried to reason with them, took them to the company event and showed them how admired and respected she was. But none of it had seemed to work. If anything, Vittoria had just become more aggressive and open in her quest to prove that Isa wasn’t enough for a man like me. But I was done being polite.

If they couldn’t get out of their old fashioned ways and see her for the beautiful, confident woman that she was, it was their fault, not mine, and definitely not Isa’s.

hope when you do,” I said evenly, “you remember that this is my house. My family. Not yours to manage.”

Vittoria didn’t look at me again.

But I didn’t miss the resentment burning in her silence.

And for once, I didn’t care.