His Ruthless Redemption (Isabella and Dominic) novel Chapter 55

Chapter 55

Isabella’s POV

Dominic had left after a quick briefing about the project, and I’d practically thrown myself into work after that, unwilling to let my thoughts wander to my conversation with Dominic this morning,

The school day ended before I was ready for it to, and Dominic returned to the office just as I was packing up. We didn’t speak about the earlier moment, that slip I wasn’t supposed to hear, that I shouldn’t still be replaying in my head.

We drove in silence to Mateo’s school.

The second he saw us, his face lit up like a sunrise.

“Mamma! Dominic!”

He smiled as Mateo ran towards us, and then knelt and opened his arms, swallowing Mateo in a hug that looked like it migh break him if he let go too soon.

I watched, hands twisting in my lap, heart a mess of longing and warning.

In the car, Mateo talked non–stop. He told us how his teacher loved the picture he drew of a rocket. How he made a new friend named Riya. How he shared his snack with her because she didn’t have one today. Dominic listened like nothing else existed. He even asked questions and Mateo beamed, basking in the attention.

It was domestic.

Painfully so.

Back at the villa, lunch was ready. Maria had made pasta and soup, like she knew Mateo might still be fragile. We all sat at the long dining table like a family.

And then Alessia walked in.

Her laugh echoed through the room before she even reached us, one hand resting on her abdomen.

Right. Pregnant. Pregnant with Dominic’s child.

The reminder hit me like a splash of cold water straight to the face.

I forced myself to chew, to breathe evenly. Alessia took the seat beside Dominic and suddenly, she was too close, her perfume bleeding into my air. She said she had morning sickness. Dominic touched her wrist, told her to rest more.

1 set my fork down before it snapped..

When lunch ended, I thanked Maria and excused myself. I told them I’d go back to the office on my own.

“No,” Dominic said immediately. “I’ll drive you.”

“I can manage-

“It’s not up for debate.”

His tone was gentle but immovable. I didn’t argue.

The drive back was quiet. Mateo had stayed home to rest. Alessia retreated to her room. And Dominic, he kept his eyes on 1/4

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Chapter 55

“I left because I had to,” I said, voice low. “Mateo was safer away from him. And now, somehow. I’m back in his orbit.

Luca’s hands curled into fists. “What did he do? If he hurt you-

“He didn’t,” I lied. “Not physically. And now, he’s changed.”

Luca scoffed, “Men like him don’t change.”

I didn’t argue. I didn’t know if I believed it myself.

“But Mateo loves him,” I whispered. “And he’s good with him. Better than I expected. And I want that for my son. A father. A family.”

“And what about you?” Luca’s voice cracked. “Do you want him?”

My throat closed. What did it matter? What I wanted had never mattered.

“I don’t know,” I said honestly. “I think I’m just tired of wanting things I can’t have.”

Chiara grabbed my hands. “Isa. You deserve happiness too. Not just Mateo.”

here for you and Mateo. Always. But if you keep putting yourself second, you’re going to break. Isa.”

ause they were true.

thing in reply, because I didn’t know what to say.

he two of them left, I sat alone at my desk, staring at nothing. The conversation I’d had with them replayed in my ad, every syllable sharp–edged.

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