A Divorce He Regrets

Chapter 186:

He shrugged, feigning innocence. “What can I say? Someone has to keep things grounded.”

The lighthearted exchange eased the tension in the room, but I was still trembling on the inside. I was ready to leave. “I’m going home,” I said firmly.

Alex looked hesitant. “You need to eat first, Raina.”

“I’ll eat at home,” I countered. My voice left no room for argument. “I just… I need to be home.”

Dominic didn’t argue either, instead stepping back to give us room. “Fine,” he said. “Let’s get you out of here.”

When we got home, the familiar walls of the Graham estate did little to comfort me. I was too drained to do anything but sit on the couch and try to collect myself. Alex was pacing near the door, his phone buzzing in his pocket.

He glanced at the screen, his expression instantly tightening. His jaw clenched, and he excused himself to take the call, stepping out of the room.

I watched him go, unease settling in my chest. Who was on the other line? And why did he look so concerned?

Dominic walked into the room, holding two mugs of tea. He handed one to me before sinking into the armchair across from me. “What’s with him?” he asked, nodding toward the door Alex had just exited.

“I don’t know,” I admitted, staring at the tea in my hands. “But something’s wrong.”

Dominic’s brow furrowed. “I don’t like that he’s keeping secrets. If he knows something, he needs to say it.”

Before I could respond, Alex reentered the room, his expression guarded. He avoided my gaze as he grabbed his coat from the chair.

“I need to leave,” he said abruptly.

Dominic was immediately on alert. “Is everything okay?”

Alex hesitated for a fraction of a second before nodding. “It will be. But I need to leave now.”

𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒕 𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒕 ⲅ𝗮𝖑𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀﹒ⅽ𝗼𝗺noveldrama

He turned to head for the door, still not looking at me.

“Alex…” My voice was soft, almost pleading.

He stopped but didn’t turn around. “I’ll be back, Raina,” he said quietly. Then he was gone, the door closing behind him with a definitive click. I sat there, the tea cooling in my hands, my heart feeling just as heavy as it had back at the hospital. Why wouldn’t he tell me what was going on? Why wouldn’t he look at me?

Dominic cleared his throat, breaking the silence. “You okay?”

“No,” I admitted, setting the mug on the table. “But I guess I have to be.”

Dominic didn’t push for more. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, his gaze thoughtful. “He’s probably trying to protect you,” he said after a moment.

“I know,” I whispered. “But it doesn’t make it any easier.”

ALEXANDER

This wasn’t the time for it. I clenched my fists as I stood in the doorway, staring at Eliza. Why had she asked Vanessa to call me? If I’d known this so-called emergency was about her, I wouldn’t have rushed back. Not now, not ever.

I felt my anger simmer as I imagined what Raina would think if she knew I’d dropped everything to deal with this mess. She would be livid. I’d worked too hard to earn her trust again, and this? This was just another obstacle.

“Say what you want, Eliza,” I said coldly, my voice steady as I stepped inside.

Her face lit up in that fake way of hers, and I had to fight the urge to look away. “Long time no speak, Alex,” she said sweetly, her tone enough to make my skin crawl. “I missed you.”

“Missed me?” I repeated, my voice dripping with disdain. “You missed me after everything you’ve done?” My focus narrowed on her like a laser.

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