His Ruthless Redemption (Isabella and Dominic) novel Chapter 169

Chapter 169 –

Chapter 169

Isabella’s POV

Morning light filtered softly through the curtains when I opened my eyes.

For a moment, I didn’t move.

Mateo was curled beside me, one small arm thrown across my waist, his breathing deep and even.

The quiet felt peaceful.

10 vouchers

Last night’s storm, the shouting, the anger, the way Dominic had looked standing in the kitchen, still lingered somewhere in my chest, but it felt slightly distant now. Almost muted.

Mateo stirred beside me, blinking sleepily. “Mama?”

“Good morning.”

He pushed himself up immediately, his hair sticking up in every direction.

“How did your big event go?”

I smiled despite the heaviness inside me. “It went very well.”

His face lit up. “Really?”

“Yes.”

“Did people like it?”-

“They loved it.”

That seemed to satisfy him. He grinned. “Good. Because I didn’t want your big thing to go badly.”

I laughed softly. “Thank you for the vote of confidence.”

Then suddenly he sat up straighter. “I don’t have school today!”

“No, you don’t.”

“My vacation started!” he giggled and his excitement was contagious, making me smile wide.

“Can we go to the pool after breakfast?”

“Of course.”

“Yes!” he cheered, jumping out of bed immediately. “I’m going to brush my teeth!”

Before I could respond, he was already halfway out the door.

I shook my head, laughing quietly. Some days, I wished I could have the freshness and enthusiasm of a little kid first thing in the morning. But, oh well.

Sighing to myself, I slipped out of bed and got dressed before heading downstairs.

1/6

2:49 pm

Chapter 169

For a brief moment I glanced towards the kitchen expecting-

No.

10 vouchers

Of course not.

Dominic wasn’t there.

A strange mix of relief and disappointment passed through me.

Relief because I didn’t know if I had the emotional energy for another confrontation this morning.

Disappointment because an extremely small part of me had hoped he might still be here.

I pushed the thought away.

Maria stood at the counter preparing breakfast. “Good morning, Isa,” she said warmly.

“Good morning.”

Caterina sat at the table with a cup of tea in her hands. “Did you sleep well?” she asked.

“Eventually.”

Her eyes studied my face carefully but she didn’t comment further.

“How are you feeling?” I asked instead, nodding towards her cup.

She raised it slightly. “Herbal tea.”

“That’s not an answer.”

She laughed lightly. “I’m following the diet. You see?” She pointed to a small bowl beside her. “I’m having fruit.”

“Good,” I said firmly.

Maria chuckled. “You sound like a doctor.”

“She needs supervision.”

“Hey,” Caterina protested mildly.

Maria slid a pan towards me. “Come, let me show you something.”

I stepped beside her as she demonstrated a small trick with the eggs she was cooking.

“You have to do it slowly like this,” she explained. “Otherwise they dry too quickly.”

“I see.”

Cooking with Maria always felt comforting. Normal. Simple.

For a few minutes, the conversation stayed light. Until Mateo came racing down the stairs.

“I’m ready!” he announced before greeting everyone, his hair still damp from washing his face.

2/6

2:49 pm

Chapter 169

We all sat down to eat

Halfway through breakfast, I cleared my throat slightly. “So….”

Mateo looked up.

“How would you feel about going to Milan for your vacation this year?”

His eyes widened. “Milan?”

“Yes.”

“What would we do there?”

“Well,” I said carefully, “I’ll have to work sometimes.”

“Oh.”

“But you can come with me to meetings.”

“And then?”

“Then we can explore the city.”

That seemed to interest him again. “Like where?”

I smiled. “There’s a beautiful cathedral called the Duomo, like the one we have here in Florence.”

“The big one with the pointy roof?”

“Yes.”

“And there’s a castle

–

Castello Sforzesco.”

“A castle?!”

“Yes.”

“And a huge park behind it where you can ride bikes.”

“Really?”

“And there are amazing gelato shops everywhere.”

Now he was fully convinced. “That sounds amazing.”

Then, he looked at Caterina. “Nonna, are you coming too?”

Caterina smiled gently. “Oh sweetheart…”

He waited expectantly.

“I think I will stay here this time.”

“Why?”

3/6

10 vouchers

2:49 pm

P

Chapter 169 –

u still not fully healthy.”

He frowned. “But you could rest there’

She chuckled softly. “Maybe later.

He turned to me again. “What about Dominic?”

My chest tightened. “He’s very busy with work right now,” I said carefully.

Mateo’s face fell slightly. “Oh.”

Caterina reached over and squeezed his hand. “Dominic has many responsibilities right now.”

He nodded slowly. “Okay.”

Then suddenly he turned towards Maria. “Will you come with us?”

Maria blinked in surprise. “Well,” she said, “I can definitely come with you if your Mama agrees.”

I looked at her, startled. “You don’t have to.”

Maria smiled warmly. “I would love to.”

“You would?”

10 vouchers

“Yes,” she said, wiping her hands on a towel, “Besides, my son lives in Milano. It would be a good opportunity for me to meet him.”

I blinked. “I didn’t know that.”

“Yes,” she said. “I haven’t seen him in a while.”

“What’s his name?” Mateo asked.

“Marco.”

“Oh! Like the guard!”