A Divorce He Regrets (Raina and Alexander) novel Chapter 74

RAINA

The ride home was unbearably quiet. My hands clenched in my lap, and my jaw ached from holding back the tears that refused to fall. I was too angry to cry. Too furious at Alex. All this time—years of agony—and I had been married to him ? To the man who shattered my life? Why would he do this? Why would he play God with my life like it was some game?

Hate wasn’t a strong enough word for what I felt.

As soon as we pulled into the driveway, I pushed the car door open and stormed toward the house. My grandparents stood by the door, balloons in hand, their faces lighting up at the sight of me.

That was when the dam finally broke.

Tears streamed down my face, and I choked back a sob as I ran past them. I would’ve made it to my room if my grandfather’s voice hadn’t stopped me.

“Where’s Liam?” he asked, his tone laced with concern.

I froze, my back to them, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Liam… Liam won’t be staying with us. Not yet.”

The words tasted bitter, and my voice cracked as I spoke. I heard Dominic telling Ava to head upstairs and play. My little girl hesitated, walking over to me instead. She tugged at my hand, her big, hopeful eyes looking up at me.

“Don’t cry, Mommy,” she said softly. “Liam will be home soon.”

I tried to smile for her, nodding even though every fiber of my being screamed otherwise. I wanted to believe those words but it was too obvioius that Alex would make it impossible for me. She gave me a quick hug before scampering upstairs, her laughter echoing faintly.

Once Ava was out of sight, Dominic spoke up. His voice was steady but tinged with anger. “When we got to the hospital, Liam was gone. Alex had taken him. And that’s when we found out Raina… that Raina was still married to him.”

Hearing it out loud again made me crumble. The weight of everything crashed down, and a sob ripped through my chest as I sank to my knees. My grandmother was at my side in seconds, her hands warm and steady as she helped me up. She whispered soothing words, guiding me to the couch.

“Why is this happening to me?” I asked no one in particular, my voice broken.

I headed upstairs, my feet heavy with exhaustion. Once in my room, I stared at my phone. I needed to talk to someone who wasn’t family. Someone who didn’t know Alex. I needed Nathan. But if he heard me crying, he’d rush over, and then he’d find out everything. I wasn’t ready for that. Not yet.

Sleep eluded me again that night. Morning came too quickly, and as I got ready, Grandpa met me in the hallway.

“I’ve found a lawyer,” he said. “Before the day’s out, Alex will be served the court order.”

Relief washed over me, and I nodded. “What about Ava?” I asked.

“She’s already gone to school,” he replied.

As I headed for the door, Nathan was waiting outside. My heart raced at the sight of him. He was leaning casually against his car, his gaze locked on mine.