A Divorce He Regrets

Chapter 255:

I could turn around. I could walk out. Just leave her sitting in here, drowning in whatever storm was blowing through her. But I couldn’t. I wouldn’t. Not when I knew exactly how that shame could curdle into something darker.

I let my breath out slowly, my voice softer this time. “Come on, Raina. Open the door.”

Nothing.

I hesitated for a moment, then let out a sigh, placing my hand against the wood again. “I’m sorry.”

The silence between us stretched on.

“I know you’re blaming yourself,” I continued. “I know exactly what’s running through your mind right now. You think if you’d done something different, Faith would be safe. That it’s your fault Nathan took her. That it’s your fault anyone’s in danger.”

Another pause. Then, barely above a whisper, she said, “It is my fault.”

“No,” I said firmly. “It’s his fault. Not yours.”

There was a beat of silence before, slowly, the lock clicked.

The door creaked open an inch, then another. Finally, she was there, standing in the doorway.

Her eyes were red-rimmed, her face pale, and her lips were pressed into a tight, trembling line.

And damn it, something about that broke something inside me.

I didn’t hesitate. I reached for her, pulling her into my arms, holding her tight.

She stiffened for half a second before her shoulders slumped, her fingers clutching the front of my shirt as fresh sobs broke free.noveldrama

I held her tighter, pressing my lips to the top of her head.

“It’s all my fault,” she choked out. “I should have known. I should have seen this coming. Nathan—he always goes after the people I care about.” Her voice cracked. “It was Faith this time. What if it’s the kids next? What if—”

𝐿𝖆𝙩𝑒𝓼𝓉 сհ𝖆ρ𝑡𝓮𝓇𝘀 g𝖆ⅼ𝓃𝗈ν𝓮𝗅𝓈[.]ⅽ𝑜𝗆

“Stop,” I said firmly, pulling back just enough to look her in the eyes. “That’s not going to happen.”

“But—”

“I didn’t let it,” I cut her off. “No one else is getting hurt. I promise you that.”

If I was being honest, though, I didn’t have a damn plan.

Nathan had always been two steps ahead, and with Dominic too drunk to think straight, I was running out of options.

But I wasn’t about to let Raina spiral into a pit of guilt and fear.

I ran a hand over her damp cheek, swiping a rogue tear away with my thumb.

“Listen. We’ll work it out, okay? We’ll get Faith home.”

The very edge of her lip quivered, but she nodded.

I exhaled the breath I’d been holding and relaxed my grip on her. “Hungry?”

She shook her head, her voice hushed. “I—I just… w-want t-to g-g-o to b-b-ed.”

“Okay,” I nodded, softly.

I walked her to the bed, pulled back the covers, and tucked her in.

She rolled onto her side, facing away from me.

I stood there a moment, watching the soft rise and fall of her shoulders. After a final glance at her, I stepped out of Raina’s room, pulling my phone from my pocket. My fingers tightened around it as I dialed my agent. The call connected after two rings.

“Tell me you have something,” I said, my voice low and sharp. I didn’t have the patience for excuses.

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