His Merciless Redemption novel Chapter 180

Chapter 180

Chapter 180

Isabella’s POV

Friday.

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The thought sat in my mind like a small, quiet promise as I stood in the kitchen in the morning, staring down at the bowl in front of me.

One more day of meetings. One more day of seeing him across conference tables, in hallways, in spaces where I couldn’t avoid him without disrupting my own work.

And then, there was the weekend. Two full days where I wouldn’t have to see Dominic Russo unless I chose to.

The idea alone felt like relief.

Because no matter how composed I had been, no matter how controlled I had stayed outwardly, he still affected me. Too much.

I poured milk over the cereal slowly, watching it soak in.

The thought of anything heavier, toast, eggs, even coffee, made my stomach turn slightly.

It had been like that since yesterday, unsettled and just off.

I ignored it.

I was just tired and emotionally drained. That was all.

I picked up the spoon and forced myself to eat.

One bite. Then another.

It felt mechanical, like something I had to do rather than wanted to.

Across the room, Mateo was happily talking about something I wasn’t fully listening to.

“And then Luca said we can go to the park again-”

“That sounds like a great plan,” I said, managing a small smile.

He beamed. “Will you come too?”

“We’ll see how my work goes.”

“Okay.”

He accepted it easily with the innocence only a child carried. Mateo had been settling in well here. Maria coming along had been a great help. She kept him busy and entertained during the day so I could work. And then we spent the evenings together.

15:48 Thu, Apr 2

Chapter 180

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Even though I felt tired already, I was still looking forward to coming home and spending the evening with him.

I set my bowl aside after a few more bites. That was enough.

“Alright,” I said, standing up. “I have to go.”

Mateo ran over and hugged me quickly.

“Bye, Mama.”

“Bye, baby.”

I pressed a kiss to his hair before stepping away.

Luca was already waiting by the door. “Ready?” he asked.

“As I’ll ever be.”

The drive to the office was quiet. I was already mentally preparing myself for the day, for the meetings, and for him. Because avoiding Dominic in a professional setting was not an option.

He was the CEO.

If he chose to attend meetings, I couldn’t stop him.

But the weekend, that was mine.

If he wanted to spend time with Mateo, I would let him. I trusted him enough for that. He was many things. But he was a good father. And I would never take that away from Mateo, even if everything else between us had broken beyond repair.

I was going over my notes when the door opened. I didn’t need to look up to know who it was.

I felt that shift in the air I always did when he was around.

Dominic.

“I want to talk to you about yesterday.”

I didn’t look at him. “I don’t.” A pause. “There’s nothing to talk about.”

“There is.”

I closed the file in front of me and finally looked up.

“I have a meeting in five minutes,” I said evenly. “And I need a clear head for it.”

He held my gaze. He looked like he wanted to argue. Push. Insist. But then something in his expression shifted.

15:48 Thu, Apr 2

Chapter 180

And he nodded once. “Fine.”

He turned and left.

I exhaled slowly.

Thank God.

The meeting ran longer than expected.

និយ

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By the time I stepped out, my head felt heavier than before. The faint throb from earlier had returned, stronger, more persistent. I ignored it, pushed through it like I always did.

When I reached my office door, I paused. Because he was there again, sitting inside, waiting.

For a second, irritation flared. Then exhaustion followed right behind it. I didn’t have the energy to deal with this.

I almost turned around, almost walked away.

But before I could, he stood. “It’s fine if you don’t want to talk about yesterday.”

That made me stop. I turned slowly.

He continued. “I won’t force you.” A beat. “But I’ve thought about what you said.”

My fingers tightened slightly around the folder I was holding.

“About boundaries.”

That made me step inside. And sit down.

“Go on,” I said.

He stayed standing for a moment before taking the chair opposite me. “I agree with you.” That surprised me. More than I expected.

“Structure would be good,” he continued. “For Mateo. For all of us.”

I nodded slightly.

“Yes.”

“I’d like to see him every alternate weekend,” he said, his tone was steady, measured, like he had thought this through.

“That works,” I said. “And if you want, you can take him for the night.”

That made him pause. “Take him?”

“Yes.” I met his gaze directly. “I trust you.”

15:48 Thu, Apr 2

Chapter 180

The words were simple. But they carried weight.

“You’re his father. I know you’ll take care of him.”

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He studied me for a moment, something unreadable passing through his eyes. “And you won’t be there?” he asked.

“No.” The answer came easily, firmly.

He frowned slightly. “You won’t be there at all?”

“No, Dominic.” I leaned back in my chair. “You’ll spend time with Mateo. That’s the point. But I won’t be part of it.”

His jaw tightened. “You don’t want to see me?”

I let out a small, humorless breath. “That’s not the question.”

“Then what is?”

I held his gaze. “You’re getting married.” The words settled between us, heavy and real. “Why would I be there? For what?”

His expression hardened. “That doesn’t change-”

“It changes everything,” I cut in. “Whether you want it to or not.”

Silence fell between us, tense and sharp.

He leaned forward slightly. “I love you.”

The words hit harder than I expected. But I didn’t let it show.

“Don’t,” I said quietly.

“I mean it.”

“I know you do,” I replied. “That’s not the point.”

“Then what is?”

“Your actions.” The words came out steadier than I felt. “Actions matter more than words. And your actions-” I stopped myself shaking my head slightly. “I’m not doing this again.”

His expression tightened. “Isa-”

“No.” I stood up. “I don’t want to have this conversation again and again. My boundaries haven’t changed. My decisions haven’t changed. And neither has your situation.”

I moved towards the door, holding it open. “This is what it is now. Work. Mateo. And nothing else.”

15:48 Thu, Apr 2

Chapter 180

He stood too, his frustration clear now. “You think it’s that simple?”

“No,” I said. “But it’s necessary.”

I gestured towards the door.

“You should go.”

He didn’t move.

For a second, neither of us did.

Then, the world tilted.

It started subtly, a shift, a sway, like the ground beneath me had moved slightly out of place.

I blinked, tried to steady myself, but it didn’t stop.

It only worsened.

The room blurred at the edges.

“Isa-”

His voice sounded distant, too far away.

I reached for the door, for something to hold onto.

But the darkness came fast, surrounding me completely.

And then, everything went black.

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15:48 Thu, Apr 2