His Merciless Redemption novel Chapter 52

Chapter 52

Isabella’s POV

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The wrought-iron gates to Dominic’s villa in Florence slid open with the same silent menace I remembered.

His villa rose beyond us with its old stone walls, arched windows, and security embedded so deeply into its bones that it almost breathed authority. The place was beautiful in a way that made you straighten your spine but also equally dangerous in a way that reminded you this wasn’t a place you wandered into by accident.

Mateo leaned forward in his seat, peering through the window.

“This isn’t our apartment,” he said, frowning slightly. “Are we lost?”

My hand tightened around his instinctively.

Dominic glanced at him from the other side. “We’re not going to the apartment,” he said calmly.

Mateo’s brows knitted together. “Why not?”

Dominic slowed the car to a stop just inside the gates. He turned fully in his seat so he could look at Mateo properly. “Because this is home now.”

Mateo blinked. “This big house?”

“Yes,” Dominic replied. “Didn’t you like it the last time you were here?”

Mateo thought about it for a moment. “I liked the pool,” he admitted. “And the movie room.”

“You can use both of them whenever you want,” Dominic said easily. Then, after a quick look at me, he added, “After you’ve done all your school work, though.”

Dominic’s eyes flicked up to me again, as if confirming if he had said the right thing or not.

It felt oddly familial to me, making my chest warm. But I pushed the feeling away, simply nodding at him in

response.

Satisfied with my response, Dominic shifted his gaze to Mateo again who looked deep in thought.

Then, he smiled, satisfied. “Okay. Thank you, Dominic.”

I watched the exchange quietly, something tight loosening just a fraction in my chest.

The moment we got out of the car and stepped inside, the same quiet choreography unfolded. Men in dark suits took up positions without a word, eyes sharp, movements deliberate. Every doorway felt guarded. Every

corner aware.

My grip on Mateo tightened again.

I wasn’t used to feeling outnumbered in my own life.

12:57 Sat, Jan 17

Chapter 52

Dominic noticed.

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“You’re safe here,” he said quietly, stepping beside us. “They answer to me. Their only job is protecting you both.”

Mateo glanced around, wide-eyed. “Are they like our bodyguards?”

Dominic’s mouth curved faintly. “Something like that.”

My heart did that dangerous little stutter again.

“Isabella.”

I turned at the familiar voice.

Maria stood near the entrance hall, just as composed and warm as I remembered. Older, elegant, eyes sharp with intelligence and kindness in equal measure.

“Maria,” I breathed, smiling despite myself. “It’s good to see you.”

She smiled back, genuine. “Welcome home.”

The word hit harder than it should have. Home. This was our home now. Mateo and mine. I wasn’t sure if I liked this change just yet. My apartment had been small yes, much smaller than this larger than life villa, but it was something I’d bought with my own money. It was something I could proudly call mine.

But this villa, it belonged to Dominic. It was his space, his territory, his to do with as he pleased. Not mine.

Martha crouched slightly in front of Mateo. “Look at you,” she said warmly. “You’ve grown so much. Should I get you some cookies? Or warm milk?”

Mateo glanced at me automatically.

“It’s okay,” I told him softly. “You can have some.”

He nodded and followed her without hesitation, already chatting about the pool as they walked away.

Dominic gestured down the hall. “You’ll have the same room as before.”

I nodded. I remembered it well.

Before I could say anything else, the sound of heels clicked against the marble floor.

Alessia entered like she owned the space.

She smiled at the staff, greeting them by name, handing off her coat, directing someone to take her luggage upstairs. Her words and movements polite, familiar and effortless.

“Please make sure everything’s unpacked,” she said lightly. “I’ll need my work files accessible.”

No one questioned her.

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Chapter 52

I stood still, watching, that familiar hollow feeling creeping back in.

Dominic didn’t comment. He rarely did.

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“Come,” he said instead, turning towards the stairs. “I have something to show you, both you and Mateo.”

He called Mateo’s name, and my son came running as soon as he word the ‘surprise’ leave Dominic’s mouth.

I would’ve laughed at his excitement if I wasn’t just as curious about this surprise as he was.

Mateo was already bouncing happily by the time we reached the upper floor.

Dominic stopped in front of a door I hadn’t noticed before.

“Ready?” he asked.

Mateo nodded enthusiastically.

Dominic opened the door.

Mateo gasped.

The room was huge with walls painted with rockets soaring through galaxies, planets suspended in brilliant color across one side, playful dinosaurs marching across another. There was a small study table sat beneath a window, and built in shelves already filled with books and toys. In the middle sat a bed perfectly sized for him, and to the side was cupboard waiting to be filled.

And a connecting door, leading directly to my room.

Mateo ran inside, spinning in a circle. “This is mine?”

“Yes,” Dominic said simply.

“It’s better than my room at home!” Mateo exclaimed, climbing onto the bed, then jumping off again to inspect the toys.

I stood frozen in the doorway.

He had done this.

Not last-minute. Not hastily.

This had been planned.

Something warm and frightening bloomed in my chest.

He hadn’t just made space for Mateo.

He had made him belong.

I swallowed hard.

12:57 Sat, Jan 17

Chapter 52

“Thank you,” I said quietly.

Dominic nodded. “He deserves it.”

:

Mateo rushed over, wrapping his arms around Dominic’s waist. “Thank you!”

Dominic rested a hand on his head, something unreadable passing across his face.

I looked away quickly.

Don’t read into it, I told myself firmly. This is for his son. Nothing more.

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Still, the connecting door lingered in my thoughts long after Mateo settled into exploring his new kingdom.

I closed my eyes briefly, grounding myself.

I would not mistake care for affection again.

Not this time.

No matter how much my heart wanted to.

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