His Ruthless Redemption (Isabella and Dominic) novel Chapter 158

Chapter 158

Isabella’s POV

I didn’t sleep much.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Mateo being led away by a stranger

A hand around his wrist. A lie about me being sick. His small, trusting face.

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I had checked on him three times before dawn. It was during one of those check–ins that I’d run into Dominic.

Mateo was still asleep now, sprawled across the bed like nothing in the world could touch him.

Children forget quickly.

Mothers don’t.

The suitcase lay open on the chair in my room.

Sicily.

“Just for a few days,” Dominic had said.

Precaution, until he neutralized the threat. He would call us back when things settle.

His words replayed in my mind as I folded Mateo’s shirts carefully, smoothing each one with trembling hands.

Something felt off. Not wrong exactly. Just heavy.

Dominic had looked at me differently last night. Like he was memorizing me. Like he was saying goodbye without saying the words.

I shook the thought away.

I was probably just being dramatic.

Caterina knocked softly before stepping inside.

“You’re up early,” she observed.

“I couldn’t sleep.”

She nodded knowingly and walked to the window, pulling the curtains slightly aside.

“Dominic called early in the morning He told me about the move. The car will be ready in an hour”

I zipped Mateo’s small suitcase shut.

“It’s only for a few days,” I said, more to myself than to her.

“Of course!

But her tone carried something else. Concern. Caterina had been unusually quiet since the kidnapping afterupt. Watching Dominic. Watching me.

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Chapter 158-

he knew her sop well.

Maybe better than anyone.

“You think this is necessary? Lasked softly.

She turned towards me. “In this world,” she said gently, “precaution is survival.”

That wasn’t comforting.

I went into Mateo’s room.

He was awake now, sitting cross–legged on the bed, holding one of his toy cars.

“Mama, why are you packing? Are we going on a trip?” he asked, looking at the suitcase in my room through the common door both our rooms shared.

“Yes. We’re going to Sicily. Your Nonna’s place.”

“Is Dominic coming?”

The question made my chest tighten. “No. He has work.”

He considered that seriously. “Is it because of the bad man?”

I sat beside him. “Yes.”

He nodded slowly. “I don’t like him.”

“I don’t either.”

He climbed into my lap. “Dominic hit him.”

I pressed my lips into his hair. “Yes.”

“He was scary”

1 swallowed. “I know.”

He pulled back and looked at me with serious eyes. “But Dominic wasn’t scared.”

The faith in his voice almost broke me.

Dominic had stood between our son and danger without a second thought.

“I need you to listen to me,” I said softly. “La Sicily, you stay close to me and Nonna at all times. No wandering No strangers. Okay?”

“I won’t,” he promised.

I hugged him again. If I had to run for the rest of my life to keep him safe, I would. That thought had taken root after the kidnapping attempt.

If leaving Dominic was the only way to ensure Mateo’s safety. I would do it.

Even if it destroyed me.

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sen, hiped get ready before I quickly finished packing

We were all having breakfast downstairs when the sound of a car door opening and closing outside made me freeze.

Dominu was here

I stod slowly and walked towards the door.

Dominic was in the foyer, speaking quietly to Marco,

He looked exhausted, with shadows under his eyes, jaw tight, shoulders rigid.

When he saw me, something in his expression softened.

“You’re ready?” he asked.

“Yes

He nodded

No lingering. No dramatic farewell. He was too calm.

That calm unsettled me more than anything.

“Everything’s secure?” I asked quietly.

“Yes”

He didn’t elaborate,

I searched his face. There was something he wasn’t saying. But I couldn’t figure out what.

Mateo ran down the stairs and straight into Dominic’s legs.

“Dominic! We’re going to Sicily!”

Dominic bent down, lifting him effortlessly. “For a few days.”

“Will you miss me?”

“Yes”

“More than Mama?”

Dominic glanced at me. “I’ll miss you both the same.”

Mateo seemed satisfied with that.

He kissed Dominic’s check and wriggled down.

Catering embraced her som next.

“You look tiredt she mumtured to him.

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watched them carefully. There was tension there, Unspoken.

Dominic turned back to me. “I’ll call when I can.”

“When you can?” I repeated hightly. “Or when you want to?”

He almost smiled. “When I can.”

He stepped closer, too close. Like last night. Like he was trying to memorize the space between us.

“Take care of him,” he said quietly.

“I always do.”

His hand lifted hesitantly before brushing against my arm. “I know.”

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Something in his eyes flickered.

Regret? Fear? Resolve?

I couldn’t place it.

“Dominic,” I said softly. “What aren’t you telling me?”

His gaze held mine. “Nothing.”

He was lying. I felt it.

Not malicious. Protective.

But still a lie.

“Be careful,” I said instead.

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