His Ruthless Redemption (Isabella and Dominic) novel Chapter 238

Chapter 238

Chapter 238

Isabella’s POV

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Returning to work felt strangely similar to stepping back into a life that no longer quite belonged to me.

Everything looked exactly the same as it had before. The office building was still bustling with activity, architects and contractors still moved through the hallways carrying drawings and samples, emails continued arriving with the same relentless urgency they always had, and the opening of the Milan project still loomed over everyone’s heads like a deadline that refused to care about personal tragedy.

Nothing had changed. And yet, everything had.

Because I had changed.

Just a few weeks ago, I had walked through these same halls while absentmindedly resting a hand on my stomach whenever nobody was looking. I had been carrying a future inside me back then, a thousand little hopes and plans that had seemed so certain they hardly felt like dreams at all.

Now that future was gone. And somehow I was expected to continue moving forward.

Oddly enough, I wanted to, not because I was okay. But because sitting still had become unbearable.

Grief was quiet when you were busy, not gone exactly, but quieter.

When I was working, my brain had blueprints to analyze, contractors to yell at, budgets to approve, and schedules to review. The grief still existed beneath all of it, like an underground river flowing silently beneath solid ground, but at least it wasn’t the only thing occupying my thoughts.

Work had always been my anchor. And right now, I desperately needed something to stop me from drifting.

I had barely settled into my office when my phone rang. The name on the screen immediately softened something inside me.

Chiara.

For a moment, I simply stared at it before answering. “Hi.”

There was a brief pause before her warm voice filled the room. “How are you feeling?”

The question made me smile faintly, not because it was amusing but because it felt impossible to answer.

How was I feeling?

Physically, I was fine. The doctors had run every test imaginable before discharging me. My body was healing exactly as it was supposed to.

Emotionally, however, I felt like someone had reached inside my chest and removed a piece of me that I would never get back.

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11:26 Fri, Jul 10

Chapter 238

“I’m okay.” The lie left my mouth automatically.

Chiara immediately sighed, the sound carrying years of friendship and familiarity. “Isabella.”

I couldn’t help it as a small smile appeared on my face. “What?”

“If you’re going to lie to me, at least make an effort.”

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A soft laugh escaped me, the first one that day. Possibly the first genuine one since leaving the vineyard.

“I’ll try harder next time.”

“Please don’t.”

For a moment neither of us spoke. Then her voice softened. “Luca told me what happened.”

Immediately, the smile disappeared. The grief wasn’t difficult to find. It was always there, waiting patiently beneath the surface.

“I’m so sorry.” The sincerity in her voice tightened my throat.

There was no advice, no empty reassurance, no attempts to make me feel better, just sympathy. And sometimes that was exactly what you needed.

“Thank you.”

She was quiet for a few moments before continuing. “I know you want to proceed with the opening as planned.”

I immediately groaned, and that made her laugh.

“Which tells me Luca already had this conversation.”

“He did.”

“And?”

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“And I told him exactly what I’m telling you now.” My gaze drifted towards the large windows overlooking the city. “I need to work.”

There was a pause. Then, gently, “Why?”

The answer came easier than I expected. Because it was the truth. “Because when I’m working, I’m thinking about floor plans and permits and deadlines instead of wondering what my baby’s laugh would have sounded like.”

The silence on the other end became immediate, heavy, painful.

I swallowed hard before continuing. “If I stay home, all I’ll do is think.” My voice grew quieter. “And if all I do is think, I’m going to drown. And I don’t want to drown.”

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11:26 Fri, Jul 10

Chapter 238

92

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When Chiara finally spoke again, her voice had softened considerably. “Work has always been your safe place.”

I nodded even though she couldn’t see me. “Exactly.”

Another pause. Then she let out a resigned sigh. “I still think you should rest.”

“I know.”

“But I understand.”

Relief flooded through me. Because understanding was all I wanted right now. I didnt care if they didn’t agree with my decision but I needed for them to understand.

The rest of the morning passed in a blur of meetings and site visits, but one thing became increasingly difficult to ignore.

Luca was texting someone constantly.

At first I thought nothing of it. Then I noticed it again. And again. And again.

Every few minutes his phone lit up, every few minutes he checked it and every few minutes the corner of his mouth twitched in what looked suspiciously like a smile.

By lunchtime my curiosity had officially become unbearable. “Luca.”

“Hm?”

I narrowed my eyes.

Immediately he looked concerned, which only confirmed my suspicions.

“Who is she?”

The poor man nearly dropped his phone. For the first time all day, genuine amusement bubbled inside me.

“Oh my God.”

“What?”

“There actually is a woman.”

His expression shifted into one of guilty before he quickly masked it. “Isa.”

“There is.”

“There isn’t.”

“There absolutely is.”

His sigh was so dramatic that I almost laughed again.

3/5

11:26 Fri, Jul 10

Chapter 238

92

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