His Ruthless Redemption (Isabella and Dominic) novel Chapter 116

Chapter 116

Isabella’s POV

Caterina’s chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm.

I watched it like my life depended on it.

Every inhale. Every exhale.

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The monitor hummed softly beside her bed, green lines crawling across the screen in a pattern I’d memorized without meaning to. I knew the numbers now. Knew which ones were normal and which ones would send panic flooding through my veins.

I told myself to lie down.

I didn’t.

Sleep felt impossible. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her falling again, heard the dull sound her body had made hitting the floor. My heart kicked painfully against my ribs, refusing to settle.

I wasn’t leaving her alone.

Not tonight.

The door opened quietly behind me.

I stiffened instinctively, then relaxed just as quickly.

Dominic.

He stepped inside carefully, like he didn’t want to disturb the fragile stillness of the room. In one hand, he held a container of food. In the other, folded neatly, were papers.

Something in my chest loosened despite myself.

Before I could say anything, he leaned in slightly and whispered, “Mateo had his dinner. I put him to bed. He was out in minutes.”

I turned to look at him.

“I told Maria I was coming here,” he continued softly. “She’s staying with him in case he wakes up.”

My throat tightened.

He lifted the container a little. “I figured hospital food wouldn’t be great. And you didn’t eat anything earlier.”

He held it out to me, hesitant, like he wasn’t sure I’d take it.

Then he extended his other hand with the folded papers.

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12:55 Sat, Jun 6

Chapter 116

“And this,” he added quietly.

My breath caught.

I stared at the familiar messy handwriting peeking out from the fold.

He was still doing it.

Even tonight.

“I didn’t expect-” I started, then stopped. I wasn’t even sure what I’d been about to say.

If he hadn’t given me the report today, I would’ve understood. I would’ve let it go.

But the fact that he was here with it, even after everything that had happened today?

It mattered more than I wanted it to.

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I glanced back at Caterina, her face peaceful in sleep, the fear that had gripped me all day easing just enough to let something else through.

I pressed the button to call the nurse.

Moments later, she walked into the room, a young, petite woman with a smile too bright for the late hour.

“I’m going to step out for a bit,” I said, nodding towards the food container in my hand. “Can you please make sure she’s fine while I’m not here?” I requested, unwilling to leave Caterina alone without the reassurance that someone would be here when I wasn’t.

The nurse smiled at me, Jenna, I read on her name tag. “Of course, I will. It’s my job. You can go eat peacefully.”

I nodded quietly, my answering smile grateful. Then I looked up at Dominic.

“Let’s go to the cafeteria,” I said quietly. “I don’t want to disturb her.”

He nodded immediately.

We walked out together, not touching, but close enough that I could feel his presence beside me like warmth.

The cafeteria was nearly empty at this hour.

I sat down across from him, opening the container. The smell alone made my stomach twist. I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until that moment.

As I took my first bite, I spoke without looking at him.

“Just because today happened,” I said carefully, “doesn’t mean I’ve forgiven you.”

He didn’t flinch.

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Chapter 116

“I know,” he said simply.

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“What I did for Caterina,” I continued, my voice steady even though my chest ached, “had nothing to do with you.”

“I know that too,” he replied.

I finally looked up at him.

“But,” he added quietly, “I’m grateful to you. More than I can say.”

The sincerity in his voice made it hard to hold onto my distance.

He hesitated, then said, “After this… I’ve been thinking of asking Mamma to come live with us. Permanently.”

My heart squeezed in my chest at the affection, worry and vulnerability in his voice.

“I don’t want her alone anymore,” he said. “Not after today.”

I nodded without hesitation. “I think that’s a good idea.”

He looked surprised. “You do?”

“Yes,” I said. “I don’t even want to think about what could’ve happened if no one had been there.”

He studied me for a moment. “That might’ve been an issue. With other women.”

I snorted softly. “I’m not other women. In case you hadn’t noticed.”

His lips curved into something soft, almost broken. “Trust me,” he said quietly, “I’ve noticed.”

He leaned forward just slightly. “There’s no one out there like you, Isa. No one I’d rather spend my life with. It’s only you.”

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