A Divorce He Regrets (Alissa Nexus) novel Chapter 31

She glanced up, her expression unteadable, but the flicker of imitation in her eyes was unmistakable.

“We need to talk,” I added, taking a step toward het. My voice was steady, but the urgency was impossible to bidde..

She didn’t even butlier to inask hier disdain. “Na, we don’t,” she said coldly, bet tone like loe water pouted over a flause.

she stood and turned on her heel, leading straight toi Dominic, who was waiting for her near the door.

Iclenched my jaw and followed. “Baina

usund, her eyes blazing with anger. “Fuckoff, Alexander.”

Her words hit harder iluan I expected, each one like a slap to the face. My mouth opened, but before could respond, Dominic stepped in, his presence towering, his expression dark

“ghesabd to leave her alone,” he said, his voice low and measured but carrying a clear wanting.

His eyes inet mise, daring me to challenge him. For a split second, I considered it. My fats tightened at my sides, the urge to argue, to pushback, surging through

1/3

1. me. But I stopped myself.

1 looked past him, my gaze landing on her as she walked away without a backward glance. She didn’t falter, didn’t hesitate. She was leaving, just like she had years

gup had felt like a sign—a second chance, a lifeline. But how the hell was

I stood there, rooted to the spot, my chest heaving with frustration. Liam waking up supposed to fix things if she wouldn’t even give me the time of day?

My hands clenched tighter as I watched them disappear through the doors. I had no intention of giving up. Not this time. Not when I knew what was at stake, Thad Tet her walk away once, but I wasn’t about to make the same mistake again.

Back in my office, leaned back in my chair, the polished leathercreaking under my weight. I stared blankly at the stack of documents on my desk–contracts, reports, agendas–all demanding my attention. My assistant walked in, holding a clipboard and rattling oft details about the nest meeting Herwords faded into the background, a meaningless hum against the whirlwind in my infnd,

Everything about the morning had thrown me off balance. The sharp sting of Raina’s words, the venom in her eyes, the way she had walked away without a trace of hesitation–it all replayed in my head like a relentless loop

1 blinked and glanced at the agenda my assistant placed in front of me. The neatly typed bullet points blurred together, and I couldn’t summon the will to care.

*sir?” she prompted, her tone tentative, as it she could sense my distraction.

1 skimmed the document without really seeing it, the words a jumble of jargon and numbers. My chest tightened, frustration bubbling beneath the surface.

“Send me the minutes of the meeting,” said abruptly, cutting her off. I didn’t have the patience for this.

She paused, her eyes widening slightly, then gave a quick nod before retreating.

I glanced at my watch, the sleek hands ticking toward noon. Lunch.

Raina would be wrapping up her workday around this time, probably leaving the Graham Corporation. It buried, there was a chance I could catch her. A chance to -what? Apologize? Explain? Beg?

The thought onsettled me. I wasn’t the kind of man who begged. Hell, I couldn’t even remember the last time I apologized for anything. But Raina was different. She always had been

Without another thought, I grabbed my keys an

and jacket, leaving the stack of untouched documents behind. I didn’t care. All that mattered was getting to her.

Luck was on my side. I saw her stepping out of the building, her presence impossible to miss even in a sea of people.

“Raina,” I called, jogging to catch up to her.

she didn’t s

“Raina, wait, just lunch. That’s all I’m asking. We can talk about the ldds.”

That got her attention. She froze, tuning to face me with a look that could have melted steel.

“Don’t even start with me,” the hissed. “Ava la mine. Mine. You signed an agreement giving me je custody. As for Liam, If you want to talk about him, you’ll have to go through my lawyer”

Her words were like a punch to the gut, but I forced a smile. “We’re adults, Raina. We don’t need lawyers to have a conversation. It’s just bunch.”

“I said no,” she snapped, turning to leave.

I reached out, grabbing her wrist. “Raina, please”

She turned so fast I barely had time to react before her hand connected with my face. The sharp sting of her stap echoed in the air, but I didn’t let go

Before I could say another word, a man about my size stepped in, his posture protective.

“Respect the Lady,” he said, his voice tim

Iglared at him, unamused. “Mind your own business. Partalling to my wife.”

“Ex–wife,” Raina.corrected, her tone ley

The man turned to her, a sick playing on his lips. “Do you need help getting out of here?”

Balpa smiled–aral, genuine smile and nodded. “I’d appreciate that.”

stood there, frozen, as the man led her away. My hands clenched into fists at my sides, my jaw tightening with every step she took away from the

Iwasn’t giving up. Not now. Not ever.

RAINA

+25 Bonus

The moment I stepped into my car, I tell a wave of reliet wash over ine. Whoever that man was, he’d done me a favor 1 hadn’t even realized I needed. Alexhad been unbearable, his presence suffocating

As I pulled into the driveway, the weight of everything that had happened that day settled onto my shoulders. I parked the car and made my way into the house. determined not to retum bo the office. My head wasn’t in the right place to deal with clients or meetings.

The tamil

sound of baby ces greeted me as I stepped inside, Dominic was in the living room, cradling his newbom son in his arms. His face lit up with a smile when he saw me.

Decided on a name yet? Lasked, plopping down onto the couch and letting the warmth of the moment ease some of my tension.

Dominic glanced down at the baby, a soft smile playing on his lips, “Not yet. I’m leaving that to Ealth. She deserves to choose.”

Inødded, touched by his thoughtfulness. 11 wasn’t sumprising, though. Dominic had always herm this way, even as a kid. A pang of bittemess crept into my chest as i thought back to how Alex had unilaterally named our kids without even consulting me. I hadn’t pushed back then–1 just went along with it, too worn down to

Dominic continued, his tone light but sincere. “It feels selfish to name the baby myself when Faith did all the hard work. The least I can do is let her decide *

“That’s thoughtful of you,” said with a small smile, though my heart clenched at the contrast. Dominic had always been selfless, even back at the orphanage. I vividly remembered the nights when the portions of food were too small, and he’d go hungry just to make sure I had enough

“Hey,” Dominie’s

broke into me thoughts, his brow furrowed with concem. “What’s going on? You’ve got that look.

Thesitated. I didn’t want to drag him into my problems, but he’d find out soon enough, Sighing, I told him about my encounter with Alex and my intention to lea restraining order.

Dominic’s expression hardened. “A restraining order might not be necessary,” he said firmly. “I’ll talk to Alex. Our lawyers can handle it if it gets out of hand. You still have to see him for work and for Lim “–

Toursed under my breath. How could I have forgotten that we worked together?

“Fine,” I said reluctantly, “But Thope he listens.”

“He will,” Dominic assured me, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

Changing the subject, 1 asked about Faith. Dominic explained that he was taking care of the baby to give her a chance to rest after a long night of nursing.

She deserves the break,” 1 said, smiling.

After chatting a little longer, I excused myself and headed to my room. My phone pinged as I locked off my shoes, and I grabbed it from the bedside table. Two messages. One from Vanessa, the other from Alex.

Perfect timing, I thought sarcastically. Neither of them could leave me alone for a moment.

Lopened Vanessa’s message first. As expected, it was dripping with venom. She accused me of not telling her Dominic was married and declared that it didn’t matter. She’s become a Gratum one way or another. After all, she claimed, I’d ruined my marriage to Alex, so she’d do the same to Dominic.

I colled my eyes, calling her crazy in my mind. Dominic wouldn’t tolerate Vanessa’s antics for a second, especially if she targeted Faith or the baby. Faith had Dominic’s unwavering support–something I’d never had from Alex.

Topened Alex’s message ne

next, bracing myself. He wanted to talk. Claimed it was important

ortant and about Li

Bull

I ignored it, tossing my phone onto the bed. The rest of the day was spent working from home, any focus shitting between emails and planning for upcoming projects.

The next moming started on a tense note, the land of tension that wraps itself around the alrand clings to you like an unwelcome shadow. As I descended the stairs, the sharp murmur of voices filtered through the hallway. I followed the sound to the living room, where Dominke stood towering over Adelaide, out housekeeper.

Her face was ashen, her hands twisting nervously in front of her apron. Tears brimmed in her eyes, threatening to spill at any moment.

“What’s going onliere?” I asked, my voice calim but diens as I stepped into the room.

frowned, my curiosity laced with dread. “What i

hat did she say?u

Dominic hesitated for a moment, as if weighing whether or not to tell me. Then, with a heavy sigh, lie continued, “She called you an orphan who deserved to be

e’s been with the family for years,” I said quietly, my voice insured. “Maybe we should give her one last chance.”

“I know,” 1 said, holding his gaze steadily. “But people deserve a chance to change. Let’s give her this nose. If it happens again, there won

Dominic exhaled sharply, his frustration evident, but he nodded. “rine,” he said, his voice laced with reluctance. “But this is her last chance.”

Adelaide nodded fervently, gratitude and relet etched into her tear–streaked face, “I won’t, ma’am. I swear!

Instead, I decided to stop for coffee on the way to the office. It was a small ritual, one that always seemed to ground me when the world felt too heavy.

The thought of a quiet moment with a warm cup in hand was the only thing pulling me forward as I left the house, trying to shake off the moming’s events.

Emails, a few messages from raith, and a news alert about something I didn’t care enough to read–I scrolled through them aimlessly, letting the monotony of the routine distract me from the morning’s events.

“That’s actually mine.”

“Oh,” Istammered, my cheeks flushing as realized my mistake. “Sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.”

He gave me a warm, easy on that instantly softened the awkwardness of the moment. “No worries,” he said, his voice calm and friendly. “You can keep it.”

He waved me off casually, a flicker of amusement in his expression. “Really, it’s fine Consider it my good deed for the day.”

Nathan lingered for a moment, studying me as though he were trying to place me. Then, his face brightened slightly. “I didn’t get a chance to introduce myself pisperly yesterday,” he said, “Nathan”

“Raina,” I replied, slipping my phone into my pocket and shaking his outstretched hand. His grip was tim yet gentle, his touch warn against my skin.

“Well, Raina, nice to officially meet you,” he said, a playful edge to his tone.

I nodded, about to fum and leave when he spoke again.