His Merciless Redemption novel Chapter 40

Chapter 40

Isabella’s POV

Dominic was back.

I hadn’t seen him yet, but I could tell by the the familiar shift in the house. There was the subtle tightening of security, the low murmur of guards repositioning and the air changing, as if the villa itself knew he was back

My chest tightened, knowing he would come find me.

I was at the dining table with my laptop open, pretending to work, when footsteps approached. I didn’t look

“Isabella.”

His voice was quieter than I had expected.

I closed the laptop slowly before meeting his gaze.

Dominic stood a few feet away, looking rather worn. Not injured. Not disheveled. Just tired in a way that came from too many decisions and not enough rest.

“I know you’re upset,” he said immediately. “And you have every right to be.”

I crossed my arms. “Do I?”

“Yes.”

That single word knocked the wind out of me more than any argument could have.

How was I supposed to argue with him when he was accepting his mistake already without me having to say a word?

He stepped closer, but not too close. His moves were clearly careful, wary, almost as if scared of what I might do next.

“Things didn’t go the

way I planned,” he continued. “We were ambushed. I had to change everything on the fly. It took longer than it should have.”

I nodded once. “You could have told me that.”

“I did,” he said gently. “As soon as I could.”

I let out a quiet, frustrated breath. “A few texts, Dominic. That’s not…. that’s not letting me in.”

“I know,” he said. “And I’m not pretending I did it right. I just-” He paused, searching for the right words. “I wasn’t pulling away from you. I was trying not to drown in everything at once.”

I looked away.

19:11 Thu, Jan 15

Chapter 40

Because I’d heard variations of that explanation before.

“You disappeared again,” I said softly. “And it felt familiar.”

Pain flickered across his face.

38

55 vouchers

“It wasn’t intentional this time,” he said. “I’m trying to do better for you. But I’m not a saint, Isabella. I’m going to fumble. I’m going to mess things up. All I’m asking is that you let me keep trying.”

I stayed silent.

He’d said something similar the last time he had fucked up with drugging me and bringing us here, too.

The truth was that I didn’t know if I had it in me to keep reopening the same wound, ro keep hoping this time would be different.

To his credit, he didn’t push. Didn’t rush to fill the silence.

Instead, he waited.

When he realised I wasn’t going to say anything, he finally spoke again. “We can go back to Florence in a few days.”

My head snapped up. “What?”

“The situation is stabilizing,” he said. “It’s not over, but it’s controlled. Enough that you don’t need to stay here anymore.”

Relief and fear tangled inside me instantly.

“But there’s a condition,” he added carefully.

Of course there was.

“We’d stay at my villa instead of your apartment,” he said. “It’s better protected. And it would allow me to be closer to you and Mateo.”

I opened my mouth to argue.

To say no, to demand my own space, my own ground.

But then Mateo’s face rose in my mind. His laughter. His trust. The way he slept better when he felt safe. The way he looked happier with Dominic around.

If not for me, then for him, I had to do this.

I exhaled slowly. “Fine.”

Dominic’s shoulders loosened slightly. “Thank you.”

“This isn’t about you,” I said quickly. “It’s about Mateo.”

19:11 Thu, Jan 15

Chapter 40

“I know,” he replied. “And I won’t forget that.”

He hesitated, then added, “There’s something else.”

I braced myself.

:

38

55 vouchers

“My mother’s birthday is in a few days,” he said. “We’re having a small celebration. She would love it if you and Mateo were there.”

Caterina’s face came to my mind, warm, kind and uncomplicated. She was one of the reasons I’d stayed sane in my time here. I couldn’t say no to that.

“I think she’d be very disappointed if we weren’t,” I admitted.

A corner of his mouth lifted. “She would.”

We stood there for a moment, less tense now. Not comfortable. But not uncomfortable either.

Then he glanced at me with mild curiosity. “How’s your training been going?”

I arched a brow. “I thought you said you’d come and see it for yourself?”

Something playful sparked in his eyes. “I guess I’ll come see you tomorrow morning, then.”

“Sure,” I said lightly.

He chuckled under his breath. “And I’ll try not to be too hard on you.”

I smiled faintly. “You always are.”

His gaze lingered on me a second longer than necessary.

“Goodnight, Isabella,” he said.

“Goodnight, Dominic.”

He walked away, and I stayed where I was.

Still uncertain. Still guarded.

But it was in small moments like this when I saw glimpses of him being warm and playful, that I felt hope.

Hope that maybe, letting him into my small world wouldn’t be too bad.