A Divorce He Regrets (Alissa Nexus) novel Chapter 135

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I finished up at work earlier than usual, my mind too restless to focus on anything else. The drive to Graham Corporation felt longer than it should have. The weight of my plans hung heavy on my chest, but I clung to the idea that this was my chance to turn things around.

When I arrived, I parked and scanned the entrance. I didn’t want anyone to see me waiting. Thankfully, Raina stepped out alone, her phone pressed to her ear. She was pacing, her posture tense, her voice carrying faintly through the quiet space.

I stayed back, listening, trying to gauge her mood. Her voice trembled slightly as she spoke.

"When can I see Liam?" she asked.

My jaw clenched at the mention of Alex. Of course, she was talking to him.

The case. I had almost forgotten about the custody battle with everything else going on. This could be my way in—a chance to remind her of my value, to show her I was the one who truly cared about her and Liam’s well-being.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward. “Raina,” I called, keeping my tone as gentle as possible.

She jumped, visibly startled. Her phone slipped from her hand and clattered to the ground.

I frowned, my steps faltering. She wasn’t like this before—always so composed, so steady. Why was she so jumpy now?

“Hey,” I said softly, bending down to pick up her phone before she could. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

Raina’s eyes darted to mine as she took the phone from my hand, her fingers brushing mine briefly. “It’s fine,” she muttered, her voice strained. She stepped back, putting a small but noticeable distance between us.

I studied her closely. Her eyes were puffy, red-rimmed from crying, her usually bright expression dulled by exhaustion. My chest tightened. I hated seeing her like this, even if part of me whispered that it could work to my advantage.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice guarded.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside me as Raina looked at me warily. She wasn’t saying anything, just watching me with guarded eyes, and it made my chest tighten. Why did she always seem like she was holding something back lately?

“I’ve been trying to reach you,” I started, keeping my tone measured, though it was hard to ignore the knot in my stomach. “You haven’t been answering my calls or replying to my texts. I needed to talk to you somehow.”