A Divorce He Regrets (Alissa Nexus) novel Chapter 27

Hold myself I had one hour to see this through. Sixty minutes to deal with Vanessa’s scheme, retrieve the Deal, and maybe—just maybe control over this mess, Faith’s delivery had thrown awrench into everything, and my nerves were already hanging by atrad. But spiraling wasn’t an option. Not

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now. Not with so much at stake.

The waiting room was a blur ef muted colors and antiseptic smells, the bus of threscent lights overhead grating na my already–fraped patience. Dominic was a jittering mess, pacing back and forth like a raged anhusal. His hands moved incessantly throught his halt, and he mumbled to himself as if rehearsing what he’d say when he finally saw Faith and the baby. His anxiety filled the air like static, and telenched my fists to keep from snapping at him to sit down.

Aya, thankfully, was oblivious to the tension. She sat in a comer with a kind muse, who had ceased her into playing with some hospital toys. Her soft giggles were the only thing keeping the moment from feeling completely unbearable.

Minutes crawled by, each one slower than the last, until the door swung open and a doctor stepped in Dominic surged forward like a sprinter off the starting line, not even ghing the man a chance to speak.

“How is she? How’s Faith? Is everything okay?” His voice was laced with equal parts fear and hope.

The doctor’s warm smile was an immediate balm. “Congratulations, Mr. Gram. You’re the father of a healthy baby buy. Both mother and child are doing well” Relief hit Dominic like a tidal wave. His shoulders sagged, and for the first time in what felt like hours, he stopped moving. “A boy,” he whispered, as it the words were too good to be true.

I felt a rush of emotion myself–a strange blend of joy for them and envy for the happiness they had found in the middle of this chaos, it was a nel reminder of what was about to lose, of what feared 1 could never have again.

“Can we see them?” Dominic asked, his voice trembling with excitement

“Of course,” the doctor said with anod. “olve the nurses a few moments to get Faith settled, and they’ll let you in,”

Dominic tumed to me, his face glowing with pride. “Aboy, Raina. Can you believe it?”

Itored a smile, though my mind was already ticking down the seconds. Every passing moment brought me closer to the meeting I dreaded. “Congratulations, Dom I’m so happy for you.” And I meant it, even if my smile felt strained.

It wasn’t long before a nurse appeared and guided us to Faith’s room. The sight that greeted us was enough to stop me in my tracks. Faith Looked utterly exhausted but radiant, her face glowing as she cradled the tiny bundle in her arms. Dominic was at her side in an instant, his voice soft and coverent as he coned over his newbomson

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The scene was almost too much to bear. The love and warmth in the coom were palpable, wrapping around them like a protective cocoon. I allowed moment to take it all in, to imprint the image in my mind. But couldn’t linger. Time was slipping through my fingers, and I couldn’t afford to waste IL

“Dom, I have to go,” I said abruptly, tearing myself away from the inement.

He turned to me, his brow furrowed in confusion. “Go? Where?”

“I’ll explain later, “I said, brushing off his concem. “Just keep Ava here with you, olay? She’ll be fine with you and Faith.”

“I’ll be back,” I cut him off, my tone sharper than I intended. Without waiting for a response, I tumed and left the room, my steps baried and purposeful. I telt his eyes on my back, but he didn’t follow. Thandully, he was too caught up in the euphoria of fatherhood to press me for answers.

The moment I stepped outside, the cool air hit me like a slap. I practically sprinted to my ear, my heart pounding–not from exertion, but from the sheer weight of what I was about to face. Vanessa had me cornered, and I hated it. Every fiber of my being screamed against walling into her trap, but I didn’t have a choice.

As i shd into the driver’s seat and gripped the steering wheel, I allowed myself one deep breath, post one. Then I started the car and drove toward the address she lud texted, my mind racing with possibilities.

What was the planning? How far was she willing to go? And usore importantly, how was I going to outmaneuver her without letting her just how much power she held over me?

I didn’t have the answers. All i lud was the resolve to see this through. EurAva For Liam For myself.

The clock was ticking.

The address Vanessa had texted me led to an exclusive restaurant – a place dripping with wealth and pretension. It was the kind of place where people whispered instead of spoke and waiters glided rather than walked

Vanessa was already there, seated at a table near the back she looked song, ber crimson lips curling into a smink the moment she saw me

“Well, well,” she drawled as I approached “Took you long enough. Hope you don’t mind taking care of the bill. I’ve been here an hour and got hungry. After all, hear you’re a Graham now.”

I clenched my jaw but didn’t

Drive to the bait. “Where’s the SD card?” I demanded, sliding into the seat opposite hier.

anessa waved a manicured hand dismissively. “Belax, Kalna. Order something. Let’s rojoy this little reunion. After all, we’re going to be in–laws again.”

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My stomach chummed at the implication. I frowned deeply. “There is no way in hell I’m ever getting back with your brother.”

Her laugh was soft and sweet, but there was a sinister edge to it. “Oh, silly Raina. I wasn’t talking about Alex.”

Confusion flickered across my face before realization dawned.

-Dominic,” she clarified, her eyes gleaming with twisted glee “Now that I know he’s not your lover, I finally

your lover. I finally have my chance. And you’re going to set up a meeting

for us.

My jaw tightened. I thought to myself that only if Dominic were physically blind would this he possible. He adored Faith, and Vanessa’s self–absorbed arrogance was no match for the kind of love they shared

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Inearly laughed in her face. The idea of Dominic, a married man who had just welcomed his child Into the world, falling for Vanessa was beyond absurd.

I stared at her, incredulous. “You’re insane,” I said bluntly.

“Mayber,” she replied with a shinig, unbothered. “But one date is all I need. You set it up, and I’ll give Dominic the SD card to give to you. Out of trust, of course.

Trust? The word was laughable coming from her. She had no idea what it meant.

Why should I believe you won’t just destroy the card or hold it over me again?” I challenged.

“Because I want Domimic,” she said simply, as if that was reason enough. “Help me, and you’ll get your precious card. Don’t, and I’ll make sure you never lay your

eves on it!

“Fine,” 1 said, forcing the word through gritted teeth. “I’ll talk to him. But if you try to fool me

Vanessa cut me off with a saccharine smile. “Don’t worry, dear. You’ll get your precious SD card. And Dominic will get me, Everybody wins.”

The sheer audacity of this woman was staggering.

Before I could leave, I asked, “How did you even know about the recording?

Vanessa’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction, as if she’d been waiting for that question. “Oh, that. I was at the hospital when it happened. I saw you drop your phone, so I picked it up. Imagine my surprise when I saw what you’d recorded. And really, Raina, no password? Tsk, tsk*

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. “Ava plays on my phone,” I muttered under my breath.

Vanessa leaned back in her chair, smug as ever. “When I heard Eliza’s plan tell through, I figured you’d come looking for the video eventually, I just happened to….. expedite things

“And what about Eliza?” Tasked, narrowing my eyes.

Vanessa shrugged nonchalantly. “Eliza’s plans were hers, not mine. I only went along because I didn’t know you were a Graham. Now, my love for Dominic far outweighs any loyalty to her. The bitch can bum for all Team.”

He casual betrayal didn’t surprise me. Loyalty had never been Vanessa’s strong suit

y to be done with this twisted exchange, 17 talk to Domine, I said. “You’ll hear from me soon.

Istood abruptly, ready to be done

As I made my way to the car, my mind caced. How was I supposed to convince Dominic to agree to this madness?

Vanessa might think she was in control, but I would find a way to tem this to my advantage. Once had that SD card, both she and Eliza would finally get what they deserved.

Alissa Nexus

I apologize for the error guys. This is supposed to be chapter 22 and the previous 23

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The thought of missing even a single moment of his early days tightened a knot in my chest. And for what? To humor this manipulative woman in some twisted exchange for an SD card. Raina was going to owe me for this. Big time..

“Dominic, are you even listening to me?”

“What do you think you’re doing?” 1 snapped, my voice cold enough to freeze the air betweenus.

The waiter approached, and I welcomed the interruption. I scanned the menu briefly, not bothering to give it much thought. I ordered the first thing that caught my eye, barely listening as Vanessa prattled on about how difficult it was to choose something from such a “limited” menu.

She was the epitome of everything I despised–shallow, vain, and manipulative.

1. ny. “If I’d known you weren’t

Once the waiter left, Vanessa tilted her head, her glossy lips curving into a coy smile. “You know,” she started, her voice syrupy, lover, I would’ve come to you sooner.

I scoffed, unable to hold back the sound of disbelief. “Why would I want to be anywhere near someone who made my sister’s life a living hell?”

I set my fork down deliberately, the metal clinking against the plate. My patience was thinning by the second. “Do you think a simple ‘sorry” is going to erase years ___ of torment? False accusations? Taking her child away from her?”

Her painted smile disappeared entirely, replaced by a thicker of discomfort. She looked away, bertingers fidgeting with the edge of the tablecloth. For a moment, 1 thought I’d finally shut her up

“I just want a chance,” she said softly, her voice lacking its usual confidence. “I’ll try to be nicer to her.”

i stared at her, trying to determine if there was even a shred of sincerity in her words. It didn’t matter. My goal was the SD card, and I wasn’t leaving without it

The rest of the evening dragged on like a slow–moving nightmare. Vanessa filled the silence with an endless monologue about designer vacations, luxury handbags, and the latest gossip among her socialite circle, I tuned out most of it, mudding occasionally to keep up appearances.

The only thing keeping me in that chair was the promise of the SD card

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