A Divorce He Regrets (Raina and Alexander) novel Chapter 168

"Liam," I said softly as I knelt beside him and placed a hand on his forehead. He was burning up.

"Mommy," he murmured weakly, his eyelids fluttering.

"I'm here, baby," I whispered, brushing his sweaty hair back. "I'm right here."

I pulled him into my arms, holding him close against my chest as I looked over at Ava. "Go get a towel and some cold water, okay? Fast."

Ava nodded and ran out of the room. I scooped Liam up in my arms and carried him to the bed he shared with his sister, laying him on it. I was just about to call Alex when Grandma appeared in the doorway, her bright eyes narrowing at me.

"What are you doing?" she asked, her voice crisp.

"Liam's running a fever," I said, fumbling for my phone. "I need to call Alex. We might have to take him to the hospital."

Grandma stepped into the room, shaking her head. "Don't go scaring the boy or confusing Alex. It's just a fever, Raina. Kids get them all the time."

I looked at her, torn between the urge to argue and the nagging fear in my chest. "Grandma, you know his immune system isn't like ours. What if it's something more serious?"

She let out a sigh and crossed her arms. "Worrying yourself into a frenzy won't help him. Just cool him down, give him some fluids, and see how he does. Alex doesn't need to be pressured right now."

I bit my lip, glancing at Liam's reddening face. She was attempting to comfort me, but the knot in my stomach didn't budge an inch. I needed to call Alex.

"I'll be right back," I said, getting up from the room with my phone.

Grandma yelled out after me, "Don't make it a bigger deal than what it is, Raina."

I turned my back on her and dialed Alex's number. It rang and went to voicemail. My chest tightened. Where was he?

I tried Dominic next. He answered after a few rings, but his voice was low. "Raina," he said quickly, "before you start, I'm not crazy. I have a reason for letting her in."

I frowned. “Are you out of your mind?”

"No," I said quickly. "I can handle it, but I just want to make sure it's nothing serious."

"Going out isn't safe," Alex said firmly. "I'll send a doctor to the house. Just hang tight."

I exhaled, relief washing over me. "Thank you, Alex."

"Of course," he said, his voice softening. "And Raina… don't worry. Liam will be fine."

"Before you go," I whispered, "how are things there?"

"It's a mess," he admitted. "But talk to Dominic while I call the doctor."

"Dom, explain what you mean," I demanded as soon as he answered. My voice was sharper than I intended, but I didn't care. "Faith is hurt, and I don't blame her."

He let out a heavy sigh on the other end. "You think I'm not hurt too? She doesn't trust me, Raina. Do you have any idea how that feels?"