His Merciless Redemption novel Chapter 158

Chapter 158

Isabella’s POV

I didn’t sleep much.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Mateo being led away by a stranger.

A hand around his wrist. A lie about me being sick. His small, trusting face.

I had checked on him three times before dawn. It was during one of those check-ins that I’d run into Dominic.

Mateo was still asleep now, sprawled across the bed like nothing in the world could touch him.

Children forget quickly.

Mothers don’t.

The suitcase lay open on the chair in my room.

Sicily.

“Just for a few days,” Dominic had said.

Precaution, until he neutralized the threat. He would call us back when things settle.

His words replayed in my mind as I folded Mateo’s shirts carefully, smoothing each one with trembling hands.

Something felt off. Not wrong exactly. Just heavy.

Dominic had looked at me differently last night. Like he was memorizing me. Like he was saying goodbye without saying the words.

I shook the thought away.

I was probably just being dramatic.

Caterina knocked softly before stepping inside.

“You’re up early,” she observed.

“I couldn’t sleep.”

She nodded knowingly and walked to the window, pulling the curtains slightly aside.

“Dominic called early in the morning. He told me about the move. The car will be ready in an hour.”

I zipped Mateo’s small suitcase shut.

“It’s only for a few days,” I said, more to myself than to her.

“Of course.”

But her tone carried something else. Concern. Caterina had been unusually quiet since the kidnapping attempt. Watching Dominic. Watching me.

She knew her son well.

Maybe better than anyone.

“You think this is necessary?” I asked softly.

She turned towards me. “In this world,” she said gently, “precaution is survival.”

That wasn’t comforting.

I went into Mateo’s room.

He was awake now, sitting cross-legged on the bed, holding one of his toy cars.

“Mama, why are you packing? Are we going on a trip?” he asked, looking at the suitcase in my room through the common door both our rooms shared.

“Yes. We’re going to Sicily. Your Nonna’s place.”

“Is Dominic coming?”

The question made my chest tighten. “No. He has work.”

He considered that seriously. “Is it because of the bad man?”

I sat beside him. “Yes.”

He nodded slowly. “I don’t like him.”

“I don’t either.”

He climbed into my lap. “Dominic hit him.”

I pressed my lips into his hair. “Yes.”

“He was scary.”

I swallowed. “I know.”

He pulled back and looked at me with serious eyes. “But Dominic wasn’t scared.”

The faith in his voice almost broke me.

Dominic had stood between our son and danger without a second thought.

-a 2t all times. No wandering.

I hugged him again. If I had to run for the rest of my life to keep him safe, I would. That thought had taken root after the kidnapping attempt.

If leaving Dominic was the only way to ensure Mateo’s safety, I would do it.

Even if it destroyed me.

Then, I helped Mateo get ready before I quickly finished packing.

We were all having breakfast downstairs when the sound of a car door opening and closing outside made me freeze.

Dominic was here.

I stood slowly and walked towards the door.

Dominic was in the foyer, speaking quietly to Marco.

He looked exhausted, with shadows under his eyes, jaw tight, shoulders rigid.

When he saw me, something in his expression softened.

“You’re ready?” he asked.

“Yes.”

He nodded.

No lingering. No dramatic farewell. He was too calm.

That calm unsettled me more than anything.

“Everything’s secure?” I asked quietly.

“Yes.”

He didn’t elaborate.

I searched his face. There was something he wasn’t saying. But I couldn’t figure out what.

Mateo ran down the stairs and straight into Dominic’s legs.

“Dominic! We’re going to Sicily!”

Dominic bent down, lifting him effortlessly. “For a few days.”

“Will you miss me?”

“Yes.”

“More than Mama?”

Dominic glanced at me. “I’ll miss you both the same.”

Mateo seemed satisfied with that.

He kissed Dominic’s cheek and wriggled down.

Caterina embraced her son next.

“You look tired,” she murmured to him.

“I’m fine.”

I watched them carefully. There was tension there. Unspoken.

Dominic turned back to me. “I’ll call when I can.”

“When you can?” I repeated lightly. “Or when you want to?”

He almost smiled. “When I can.”

He stepped closer, too close. Like last night. Like he was trying to memorize the space between us.

“Take care of him,” he said quietly.

“I always do.”

His hand lifted hesitantly before brushing against my arm. “I know.”

Something in his eyes flickered.

Regret? Fear? Resolve?

I couldn’t place it.

“Dominic,” I said softly. “What aren’t you telling me?”

His gaze held mine. “Nothing.”

He was lying. I felt it.

Not malicious. Protective.

But still a lie.

“Be careful,” I said instead.

“I will.”

The driver cleared his throat gently. It was time. Our luggage was already loaded.

Mateo climbed into the backseat beside me. Caterina settled in the front.

I looked at Dominic through the open car door. He stood tall. Controlled. Unshakeable.

But I knew him.

And something inside him was already breaking.

“It’s just a few days,” I said lightly.

He nodded. “Yes.”

But his eyes said something else.

The door shut. The car began to move and I turned in my seat to look through the rear window.

He didn’t move. He didn’t wave. He just stood there. Watching. Like he was losing something.

As the Villa gates closed behind us, a cold feeling settled in my stomach. This doesn’t feel temporary.

I forced myself to look forward.

You’re protecting your son. That’s all this is.

But the unease lingered.

Dominic had said he loved me last night. Out of nowhere. He had held me like I might disappear. And this morning, he had looked like a man preparing for war.

I don’t know what he’s about to do.

But I know it’s something big.

Something that will change everything.

Mateo leaned against me, already distracted by the passing scenery.

“Are we going to the beach?” he asked excitedly.

“Yes.”

His smile was immediate. Pure. Unaffected.

I wrapped my arm around him tightly.

Whatever Dominic is fighting, whatever threat still lingers, I will keep this child safe.

than a house.

And behind us, the Villa grew smaller. I didn’t realize then that I was leaving more

I was leaving the last moment before everything shattered.

田

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