A Divorce He Regrets (Raina and Alexander) novel Chapter 162

That proof was exactly what Dominic needed now.

Dom had nodded as I told him, his jaw tightening with resolution. "I've already phoned the owner of the hotel," he said. "I should get the footage from the cameras soon."

Standing there now, days later, though, I just couldn't seem to shake this feeling that something was off. He didn't look as if he had gotten it yet. Rubbing at my temples, I built up frustration with the silence on the other end of the line.

"Raina," Alex's voice cut through my musings, yanking me back to the present.

"Yeah?" I said, really fast, my head shaking violently as if to clear the daze.

"Well, good," he said again, his tone softer now. "Look. I know what you want. But when I sent you away, there was no one to take my place for them. I know exactly what you're thinking, but this just isn't comparable."

"That's where you're wrong," I snapped, my grip tightening on the phone. "It is the same. It's all just a misunderstanding. One that needs to be cleared up before it's too late."

He was silent for a moment, and I could almost hear the wheels turning in his head. "So," he said finally, his tone edged with resignation. "I take it you're not going on the trip."

Guilt washed over me like a wave, but I shoved it aside. "I can't, Alex. Not right now." I heaved a sigh as the weight of everything bore down on top of me. "I'm sorry. The kids are just going to have to wait a few more days."

I steeled myself for his response, but all I could hear was a heavy sigh on the other end of the line. I hated disappointing him, disappointing all of them, but I couldn't leave now. Not when so much was at stake.

Those days turned into a month, and with each passing moment, the guilt ate away at me. I was on the phone with Liam, and his small, tearful voice pulled at my heartstrings. "Mom, I want you here," he whimpered, his words breaking me a little more.

I closed my eyes, clenching the phone in my hand as my throat tightened. I couldn't keep doing this. I had to go see them.

"Hey," I said, softening my tone. "I know I've been terrible about this, and I'm sorry. But listen, I'm going to go ahead and book my flight right after this call. I'll see you guys tomorrow."

There was a pause, and then his voice warmed, the barest whisper of a smile seeping through. "Really?"

"Really," I told him firmly, and managed a tiny smile of my own, playing on my lips.

He laughed, the sound light and real. "Well, it's about time. The kids'll be stoked."

It wasn't the kids alone I knew it, though I could not bring myself to say it. Alex had gone because someone had to be there with them, but it was also because I'd busted the deal we'd had. I missed him being there, the easy rhythm we fell into.