A Divorce He Regrets (Alissa Nexus) novel Chapter 223

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I couldn't resist interrupting, my own voice strained with tension, "Does Raina know?" The words hung between us, electric. Dominic shook his head slowly, his mouth curling into a wry smile. "I don't think so," he whispered. "Raina's been out of the picture for so long—I don't think she'd even think twice about it. But now that she's returned, perhaps at least the board of directors, who've been riding me, will finally back off. Perhaps things will go smoothly again."

Before we were able to discuss anything further about our worries, our exchange was interrupted by a sudden entrance. Raina and Faith entered the room, and their arrival was accompanied by an awkward sense of tension. In that instant, Dominic moved instinctively, leaning forward to kiss Faith—a gentle kiss that expressed longing and forgiveness—while I slipped out of the room quietly.

The heaviness of the day bore down on me, and I realized I hadn't called the kids or gone home for what seemed like an eternity. I started packing my bag, resolute to escape the mayhem, even for a brief moment. I had just about finished when Raina stood in the doorway, questioning eyes on mine.

"Where are you headed?" she asked gently.

I hesitated, grappling with conflicting loyalties, and finally answered, "Home. I've got a family to visit." Without giving her time to say anything, I passed by with my bag tossed over my shoulder, leaving an atmosphere of undeveloped tensions and an on-going feeling of obligation that shadowed each pace.

“Are you mad at me?” Raina asked, and I paused, suspended in the tension of the moment. I could tell from her gaze that she already knew the answer, but I asked anyway, "What do you think?" Her eyes hesitated for a second, as though she was going to apologize, but I interrupted her. "I don't want to talk about it," my voice filled with bottled-up anger and sadness.