His Merciless Redemption novel Chapter 190

Chapter 190

Chapter 190

Isabella’s POV

:

Monday felt almost normal. Which, in itself, felt strange.

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I sat at my desk, staring at the screen in front of me, trying to focus on the emails that had piled up over the weekend, but my attention kept drifting. Not in a chaotic way, just softer. More aware. Of myself. Of what I was doing. Of what I was eating.

The cup of coffee I usually had twice by this time sat was now decaf and even that sat untouched after a few cautious sips. Instead, there was water. Fruit. Something light I had picked up on the way to work after standing in the kitchen for an embarrassingly long time debating what was safe.

It was ridiculous. And yet, it wasn’t.

Because this wasn’t just about me anymore. My hand drifted, almost unconsciously, to my stomach for a brief second before I pulled it back, glancing around to make sure no one had noticed.

No one had. Good.

I exhaled slowly, trying to ground myself back into work when there was a knock on the door.

“Come in.”

Luca stepped inside, closing the door behind him, his presence immediately bringing a sense of ease I hadn’t

realized I needed.

“How are you feeling?” he asked, walking closer, his tone gentle but observant as always.

“Better,” I said honestly. “Still a little tired, but definitely better.”

His gaze lingered on me for a moment, like he was trying to read something beneath the surface.

“Have you…decided?” he asked carefully.

I held his gaze this time, not looking away. “Yes,” I said quietly. “I’m keeping the baby.”

Something softened in his expression instantly. “Okay,” he said, nodding once. “Then that’s what matters.”

There was no judgment in his tone, no hesitation, just quiet support.

A small smile tugged at my lips. “Thank you.”

He leaned back slightly against the chair across from me, his arms folding loosely. “You seem calmer today.” he added after a moment.

I hesitated. Then sighed softly. “I saw Dominic yesterday.”

His brows lifted slightly, but he didn’t interrupt.

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Chapter 190

“We talked,” I continued. “About everything.”

That wasn’t entirely true. But it was enough.

“And?” he asked.

I exhaled slowly. “He wants to be involved this time.”

:

Saying it out loud made it more real, but it also made it feel heavier than I expected.

“He’s taking me to my appointment today,” I admitted softly.

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Luca’s expression shifted at my words, not dramatically, but enough. He was clearly not happy about this.

“I don’t trust him,” he said simply.

Of course he didn’t.

“He has a way of coming back into your life and turning everything upside down,” he continued, his tone still calm, but firmer now. “And I don’t like what that does to you.”

I looked at him, really looked at him. There was no jealousy there, no hidden agenda. Just concern. Real, grounded concern.

“I know,” I said softly.

“And I’m not saying he shouldn’t be there,” Luca added, pushing himself upright again. “This is his child too. But just be careful, Isa.”

His voice softened slightly.

“I’ve seen what it costs you when things don’t work out with him.”

My chest tightened just a little. Because he wasn’t wrong. And that’s exactly what I was worried about.

“I will,” I said.

And I meant it. A small silence settled between us before I smiled faintly.

“I’m really glad you’re here,” I said. “In my life.”

Something in his expression eased.

“Yeah,” he said, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Me too.”

The door opened.

And just like that, the air changed.

As usual, I didn’t have to look up to know who it was.

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Chapter 190

But I did anyway.

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Dominic stood at the entrance, his presence filling the room instantly, his gaze landing on me first, then shifting, briefly, to Luca.

His jaw tightened just slightly. But I saw it.

For a second, I braced myself, waiting, expecting something. A comment. A confrontation. A shift in tone. Anything. But it didn’t come.

Instead, Dominic’s expression smoothed over, becoming controlled, unreadable again.

He didn’t acknowledge Luca, not even a glance, which, somehow, felt louder than words.

“It’s time,” he said, his voice calm, directed only at me. “For your appointment.”

He didn’t create a scene, no tension spilling over. Only a quiet control.

I stood, grabbing my bag, my heart still beating a little faster than necessary.

“I’ll see you later,” I said to Luca.

“Call me if you need anything,” he replied.

I nodded before walking past Dominic, acutely aware of the space between them.

Between my two worlds.

And how they refused to blend.

When we got into the car and Dominic began to drive, it was quieter than before. Not uncomfortable exactly, just subdued.

Dominic drove with his usual steady focus, one hand resting on the wheel, the other relaxed, his calm but watchful, like he was aware of everything. Including me.

“Nervous?” he asked after a few minutes.

presence

I let out a small breath. “Yes,” I admitted honestly because there was no point pretending otherwise.

“It’s stupid, I know, but…” I shook my head slightly. “These appointments always felt like tests to me.”

My gaze drifted to the window, though I wasn’t really looking at anything.

“Like I was waiting for the doctor to tell me if I was doing something wrong.”

If I was enough. If I was failing.

Dominic’s grip on the steering wheel tightened just slightly before his voice softened. “You’re a great mother.

Isa.”

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Chapter 190

I looked at him.

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He didn’t glance away from the road, but I could hear the certainty in his voice. “I’ve seen it,” he continued. “With Mateo. And you’ll be just as good now,” he added.

My throat tightened slightly.

“You don’t need to feel like this is a test,” he said. “Whatever the doctor says, we’ll deal with it together.”

Together. The word settled deep. Warm. Unexpected. Dangerous.

I turned my gaze back to the window, blinking slowly as something unfamiliar pressed against the back of my

eyes.

Why did that feel like relief? Why did that feel like something I had been missing without even realizing it?

I had done this once already. Alone. Every appointment. Every doubt. Every fear.

And now, he was here. Not distant. Not detached.

But present. Steady.

It shouldn’t have mattered this much. But it did. Because it wasn’t just about the appointment. It was about what it represented.

And it didn’t feel like I was walking into it alone.

My fingers curled slightly in my lap as a quiet warmth spread through my chest. Soft. Careful. Fragile. But

real.

And as the car slowed near the clinic, one thought settled quietly in my mind, maybe, just maybe, this time could be different.

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