His Merciless Redemption novel Chapter 194

Chapter 194

Chapter 194

Dominic’s POV

The moment I stepped into the penthouse, I knew something was off.

5 vouchers

She was here. Alessia. Her presence was like a looming, dark, unwanted aura I didn’t want to be in the same place as. But I knew I had no choice.

I closed the door behind me slowly, my gaze already sweeping the space before it landed on her.

Alessia stood near the window like she belonged there, perfectly composed, as if this was planned, as if she had every right to be in a city I hadn’t told her I was in. It wasn’t too hard for her to figure out my whereabouts, she could easily make a few calls and know. But the fact that she had done all that made me feel uneasy. Nor had she given me any prior news that she was planning on coming here.

For a second, I didn’t speak. Didn’t move.

I just looked at her.

Then, “What are you doing here?” My voice came out calm, too calm.

Her lips curved slightly as she turned to face me, her expression soft, almost relieved. “I missed you.”

Of course, she did.

I didn’t react. “I said I’d be back soon,” I continued, stepping further inside, my gaze fixed on her. “Why didn’t you wait?”

She tilted her head slightly, like the question itself was unnecessary.

“I was tired of waiting,” she said lightly. “So I came to see you.” A pause. “To see what you were so busy with.”

There it was. The subtle dig. Not loud, not confrontational, but sharp enough.

I shrugged off my jacket, setting it aside without breaking eye contact.

“I told you,” I said evenly. “Work.”

Her smile didn’t fade. It just shifted. “With Isabella?” she asked, straight to the point, no hesitation. “And at a hospital?”

My jaw tightened slightly, but my expression didn’t change. “She wasn’t well,” I said. “I took her.”

I didn’t elaborate. I wouldn’t. For some reason, saying more, mentioning the pregnancy, felt wrong. Not because I was hiding it. But because it wasn’t something I was willing to put into this space. Not like this. Not with her.

Alessia hummed softly, like she was considering it.

“What a coincidence,” she said after a moment. “You suddenly have work in the same city where she happens to be.”

I didn’t respond, didn’t take the bait, didn’t give her anything to push against.

Silence stretched between us.

Then she smiled again, smooth and effortless.

12:33 pm A

Chapter 194

5 vouchers

“We’re getting married,” she said, as if reminding me of something simple. “What do you think people will say when they see you spending time like this with your ex?”

There was no accusation in her tone. But I could see the subtle manipulation, the pressure, the control. Because this was something I’d done a lot of times myself, too.

I met her gaze, my voice steady. “She’s the mother of my child.” The words landed with quiet finality. “That doesn’t change even if we get married.”

Her expression didn’t crack, didn’t falter. “Of course,” she said smoothly. “And no one is saying you shouldn’t see your child.”

She took a small step closer, measured and graceful. “But there are ways to do things,” she added. “Appearances matter.”

I held her gaze. “I know what I’m doing.” I replied, firm. Clear. Unmovable.

For a brief second, something flickered in her eyes. Not anger. Not yet. Just resistance.

Then it was gone, replaced by that same softness she wore so well.

“I’m only thinking about us,” she said quietly.

Us. The word sat wrong. I didn’t want there to be an us.

But I didn’t correct her, didn’t push. Because this wasn’t the moment.

Instead, she shifted the conversation as smoothly as she always did.

“I brought some options for the wedding,” she said, moving towards the table, picking up a folder like none of this had happened. “There are still a lot of things we need to finalize.”

Of course.

I exhaled slowly, stepping closer, more out of necessity than interest.

She opened the folder, spreading out samples, designs, details, her attention suddenly focused, precise.

But I could feel it. The undercurrent.

She moved closer as she spoke, her shoulder brushing mine lightly, her presence just a little too close to be accidental.

“This one,” she said, pointing to something, her voice softer now. “I think it would suit you better. It’s more refined.”

Her hand rested briefly on my arm, lingering in a way I didn’t like.

“I want everything to be perfect,” she added.

Not just the wedding. Everything.

I didn’t move away. But I didn’t respond to the touch either.

“I trust your judgment,” I said instead.

That seemed to please her a little too much.

Her fingers curled slightly against my sleeve before she withdrew, her smile returning, satisfied.

2/4

12:33 pm A

Chapter 194

EI 5 vouchers

“We should also finalize the guest list,” she continued, stepping even closer now, her body angled towards mine. “My father wants to invite-”

Her hand slid up, resting lightly against my chest in a way that was casual, intimate, almost possessive.

“I was thinking,” she murmured, her gaze lifting to meet mine, “maybe we should spend more time together this week. There’s so much to do, and I’ve missed you.”

There it was again. That softness. That need. Wrapped in something that looked like affection. But wasn’t entirely.

I looked down at her hand for a brief second.

Then back at her.

It was hard not to feel the weight of it, the control, the expectation, and how little space there was to move inside it.

My phone rang then, the sound sharp.

Perfect.

I didn’t hesitate.

I stepped back, just enough to break the contact as I pulled it out, glancing at the screen.

Work.

I answered immediately.

“Yes.”

Her hand dropped slowly as I turned slightly away, already shifting my focus.

“What happened?” I asked into the phone, my tone changing instantly.

As the voice on the other end spoke, my attention locked in, my mind already moving ahead, calculating, adjusting.

Behind me, I could feel her, watching, waiting. But I was grateful for the interruption. Because it gave me something she couldn’t control. Something she couldn’t touch.

Something that allowed me to step out. If only it could be permanent.

12:34 pm A