His Ruthless Redemption (Isabella and Dominic) novel Chapter 148

Chapter 14s

Chapter 148

Dominic’s POV

I held Isa tightly, listening to the rhythm of her breathing, trying to memorize it like man about to go to war

Because that’s what this felt like.

War.

Not with the Vitellis. Not with Alessia. But with myself.

There was no version of this where everyone won. And I was so damn tired of choosing which fire to stand in.

But even though our bodies were touching, I could feel the distance in her. And I hated it.

I pulled back a little so I could look at her.

“You’re not leaving,” I said quietly.

She looked at me. “I didn’t say I was going to pack today.

“You were going to.”

Silence. She looked away first.

“I can’t let you,” I continued.

“You don’t get to decide that.”

“I do.” I said evenly. “When it’s about safety.”

Her jaw tightened at my words. “Don’t use that.”

“I’m not using anything. I’m stating a fact. And where would you even go? Your old apartment? It is not secure. Not like this place is.”

“The Vitellis haven’t made a move in weeks.”

“And that means what?” I snapped. “That they’ve stopped thinking?”

Her eyes flashed. “They’re targeting shipments. Not me,”

“That’s because you’re inside these walls.”

The silence stretched tight between us.

“I will not compromise Mateo’s safety,” I said more quietly now. “Not for this.”

Her shoulders softened slightly at his name. “I know,” she murmured.

“I can’t let you take him somewhere exposed.”

“And what? I’m just supposed to stay here while you-

She stopped herself.

1/5

5:46 pm P P

PPO

Chapter 148

While you go build something with her, I finished in my head what she couldn’t say out loud.

“That’s why I’m leaving.” I said.

Her head snapped towards me. “What?”

“I’ll move.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

She stepped away from me, shaking her head. “This is your house.”

“And you are my family.”

Her breath caught slightly.

“I created this problem,” I continued. “You didn’t. I did.”

“That doesn’t mean you exile yourself,” she said, frowning.

“It means I fix it.”

She shook her head. “I’m the one who can’t watch.”

“And I’m the one who won’t risk you walking into a trap.”

Her lips parted, ready to argue again.

“Think about Mateo,” I said softly.

That stopped her. Completely.

“He is the safest here.”

V

0

Her eyes flickered with conflict. Because she knew I was right. And I could see how much she hated it. But I couldn’t let my problems create situations that compromised their safety.

“I’ll take Alessia and her parents to the penthouse,” I continued. “Full security. Guards. Controlled access.”

“And you?” she asked quietly.

“I’ll stay there,” I admitted, but the words felt like swallowin she expected.

“You don’t have to-

“I do.”

“Dominic-

r

glass. I watched silently as her face changed. This wasn’t what

“I will not watch you walk out of this house with our son because of something I did.”

She went quiet. And I saw it then. She was calculating. Not emotionally. Logically.

2/5

46 pm pp

Chapter 14

Sotels Subry Masco

After a long m

“Okay”

ddodon

It shouldn’t have hurt. But it did. Because this meant it was real. This wasn’t a dramatic threat. This was separation.

“I’ll come back as much as I can.” I said quickly. “For Mateo. For you.”

She looked at me. “But I will just be the mother of your child when you do. Nothing more. Until this thing with Alessa es done, that’s all I’ll be” she said, and I could see how much the words hurt her.

Even though I didn’t want to agree to any of it. I nodded anyway. I understood what she meant where she said she couldn’t stay and watch. It wouldn’t be fair to her. And I didn’t want to hurt her any more than I already had

But God, I was going to miss her like crazy.

“Before we do this.” I said.

She watched me carefully.

“Can I just… I swallowed. “Hold you?”

Her eyes softened slightly.

She stepped forward wordlessly, and I wrapped my arms around her.

God. She fit. She always fit. Her face pressed against my chest. My hand slid into her hair instinctively.

For a few seconds, neither of us moved. I could feel her breathing, feel the slight tremor she was trying to control.

“I hate this,” she whispered.

“I know.”

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