A Divorce He Regrets (Alissa Nexus) novel Chapter 35

She stiftened in my arms, her body rigid, but she didn’t pull away,

“All you had to do,” she said finally, her voice trembling with frustration, “was shut up and get through the meal. But no. You just had to bring it up.

“I can’t help it,” Ladmitted, my arms still around her. “I have so much to say, so much I need to make right.”

She let out a shaky breath, and for a moment, I thought she might push me away. But instead, she stood there, silent and tense, as it weighing her next move.

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JAINA

The

we, pulling noe oot of toy theghts. When opened the dam, I was greeted by a delivery man holdi

“Missinalaam?” he asked.

“Nes,” I replied cautiously, taking the box from him.

He nodded and lett, and closed the dont, alerady deading whatever was slide. When peeled away the packaging, I wasn’t the least bit surprised to find an uryening gown. Tommald green, font leveth, withodelicate lace details at the bodice – It was stunning, I’ll give him that. But seulsonly? A dress!

Alexhad actually sent me adhiess he expected me to west. Did he think this was omantic? Did he think this would see, win me over? What exactly was de especting from this date? –

I sighed and shook my head, stiİL |

gesime be probably thought in about to turn Histole a bigger deal tlam ti needed to be. It wasadioss, not an apology, and certainly not the grand

The house was usually quiet. Everyone seemed to have crowded aromal Falthand the baby, pitching in wherever they could. Even Dominic had been surprisingly domestic, doing on his wife and son like the perfect budund wil taller.

I was grateful for the peace.

Chutmc voare vipstates to get dressed, Adelaide, the housekeeper, stopped the..

“Miss Rama,” she said, a little too sweetly, “do you need help getting ready?

At first, I wanted to brash her off. After everything that bad happened between us, I didn’t trust her intentions, but something stopped me. Maybe it was my exhaustion, or unbe it was the desire to let het prove she could change. Fiber way, I found myself nodding

Adelaide tollowed me upstains, and to my surprise, she was actually helpful. She worked quickly and efficiently, curling my but to soft waves and applying makeup with a precision I hadn’t expected

When she stepped back, I stared at the was in the minut, didn’t feel Hr me. The hair, the makeup, the dress–it was a transformation.

“Do you like in?” Adelaide asked, clearly proud of her work.

Inodded proctantly. “You did a good job

As I was putting on my jewrity, Adelaide tilted her head, a mischievous glint in ber

,” she said casually, “should we be expecting wedding bells soon?”

I choked out a laugh, shaking my head “Absolutely not,” I said finnly. “And definitely not with the man I’m going eat with tonight”

Adelaide laughed too, but the question lingered in the air. It wasn’t something I wanted to think about, not now, not ever..

Afterwe exchanged a few more jokes, Imade my way to Faitli’s room, the sound of muffled laughter and soft conversation guliding me. I paused at the door, Meaning against the lame for amusent, just watching

Tar sight inside brought a tant sonite to my lips. Faith was sitting up in bed, cradling her newbosh, bertare allant despite the exhaustion I knew she must feel. Dominichovered nearby, loulang every bit the doting husband and father, He held a bapeloth in one hand and was gently teasing the baby with his finger, elicting tiny costhat melted the tension in the wit

“Dominic,” Faithcluded playfully, her voice soft but

soft bui firm.

“You’r going to wake him up again.”

“I’m just making sure he knows his dad,” Dominic replied, gilming, “Gottabond early,”

Fucked gently on the doorframe, drawing their attention Falth looked up first, herited eyes lighting up when she saw me.

“Raima,” she said, bet smile widening “Come in You look incredible!”

Dominic turned to me, his bosis lifting in playful surprise. “Wow,” he said, leaning against the bedpost. “Are you sure you hate Alex? Because you don’t put this machettoni into looking good for someone you don’t like ”

I rolled my eyes, stepping turo the room. “This isn’t about Alex,” I said flatly, polating tomand my curled halt and flawless makeup. “Adelaide worked her magic. If you’re impered, she deserves the credit

fith chuckled softly, adjusting the baby in her arms. “Well, it worked. You look stunning.”

“Thanks,” I said, brushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear. I stepped closer, leaning down to kiss Falth on the cheek and then looking down at the tiny bundle in her arms. “And how’s this little guy doing?”

“Hir’s pratect,” Faith said with a smile, her voice tinged with awe. “Absolutely perfect.”

Domanic reached out, resting a hand on Faith’s shoulder as he gazed down at his son. It was a quiet, intimate moment, one that reminded me of how much they’d been through to get here. I felt a pane of emy, but i quickly pushed it aside..

“I just wanted to say goodbye before I left,” I said softly, stepping back to give them spare.

*Handle,” I shot back, nanosive my eyes at blus

That almost sounds like you’re excited to go “

,” he travel, crossing his anos, “mont post second box, it Alex pulls are stoots tenight, you have full promission to call or

Talih laughed at that, the sound wann mal privine: “Dominic, stop trying to be a superhero. Haha canlondie bevelt. ”

Lumiked, shaking my beal “Thinkron, taithi. At least someone here believes L’incapable.”

powk bell up his hails in Bock, vivendes, but the twinkle in his eye told me he wasich vollicly joking.

“Alight,” Esaid, backing toward the dooi. “Namboo get some test, I’ll let you launchine li pres. If it’s with talking about “

Earthyworced me off, bec sole settering “Have ton, Hama Vendeseivel.

Thesitatedjon a moment, her words stoking in. Two it had been so long since Lallowed meselt ilsat lusty. Could Leven temember what it felt like!

With a soyall nod, Huned and made my way downstates, my head feeling heavier than it should have. The evening losda’t even stated, and I was already rsluwied | bajrly made it to the dont belvar Mes andwehetne

He was standing there, waiting, looking far too pleased with belt

“What are you doing here? Lasked, invitation laring my tome.

benell to the best porant.

He stopped, catching himself. I could see the woul be almost said: wife, tot instead, be corrected himuselt, “Mydate drive

1 speed with to augue, but he cut me off. “I’m already bete,” he said, gestusing toward his cat. “Why don’t we just go together?”

1 butted, now annuvaise bubbling wet, but i knew arguing would be poluatless. Without another wood, unslied past him anul climbed leto his car

And now, seated across from hom in the disby lit restaurant, I found vrywelt coming the seconds mill this so–called date was over. The private dining room was elegant, with a staing, view of the city skoline, but it did nothing to ease the tensionpressly doen.oisine, I couldn’t shake the awkwanless that lung in the air, thick and sadlocating

Ales, of course, couldn’t help himself. He just bad to open his big mouth and say the exact things I didn’t want to hear.

The convenutian had started neutral mangli–snull talk about work anul how good the food sanclled –but then be bumight up Aya

“I want to get to know her,” Ales said softly, his gaze steady and sincere. “De missed so much, Raina. Her first words, her first steps…my heart breaks knowing. Tve benapa tomber all these wats

My chest tightened, anger bubbling beneath the surface. He had no right to say that, not after everything. Before I knew it, my palua landed on his face, Leaming

left us. You abandoord het. Don’t sit here and act like you’r

“You chose this. You left un

you’re the viction, Alex.” Usaid sharply. He was silent for a second before be continued.

*I was wrong.” he admitted, has voler calm but heavy with emotion “I was angry, and I let that anget cloud my julgusent. I thought I was doing the tight thing. but I see now how much 1 hit you. How much I but both of you.”

It wasn’t enough His wonds weren’t enough to undo the years of painted caused

I stood abruptly, the chuit scraping against the floor as I glated down at him. “Ava is wine,” I said coldly, my valve shalling with fury. “She’s mine, Alex. You don’t get to swoop in paw and act like you cair. You gave up that right the moment you walked away.”

His expusson didu’s waver. If anything, he looked even more determined

“I know I can’t undo what i did,” be said, rising slowly. “And I know an apology isn’t enough to heal the wounds I’ve caused, but saybe maybe my actions.cam make a difference. Hease, Kalna. Let metry”

Before I could respond, the waiter appeated, pushing a food trolley and catetully plating out meals. The interuption forced one to regain some semblance of composar, though my hands trembled as Lebatched une panse in my lap.

We air never getting back together,” i said, iny vo

As soon as the waller lett, Ales with a gate, angry tears gathering in my eyes. “We dir never

my voice low and tim

I didn’t wait for his response. Grabbing my purse, I stood and walked out of the room without looking back.

The hallway was quiet, the soft buat conversation to the main dining area asdistant. My heels clicked against the polished floor as I headed for the exit, myaninad racing with memories I’d tried so hard to bury

I thought about the past.

I thought about how much I had loved him, how desperately I had wanted to make out manage work I thought about the years I spent trying to prove we love to him, only to be met with his indütlenmey

It he had said all of this year aga — When Ava and Liam wer will toddlers–I might have forgivenchion nackthen, I had paayed every night for him to come back to

use him to fight for our family.

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But now. now it was too late. The wound he’d left in my heart had tumed into a scar–ugly, permanent, and impossible to ignore.

If only he had fought for me too.

I reached the lobby and pulled out my phone, quickly booking a ride My hands still trembled, and my breathing was uneven, but i refused to let myself cry. Not

here. Not now.

“Raina?”

I froze at the sound of my name, my heart skipping a beat as I turned toward the voter

It was Nathan

He was seated at a nearby table with two other men, a surprised but concemed look on his face.

“Great, 1 muttered under my breath. Another coincidence

Tina Bash, he was by my side, his hand gently grabbing my arm

“What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice filled with concem, “Why are you crying?”

“I’m fine,” lied, my voice shaky.

But Nathan wasn’t buying it. He glanced over my shoulder, his jaw tightening as his gaze landed on Alex.

sit him?” Nathan asked, his voice low and dangerous,

I panicked, grabbing his arm. “Nathan, please.” I whispered. “Just take me home,”

Nathan’s expression softened as he turned back to me, “You don’t even have to ask,” he said

He wiped a tear from my cheek with his thumb before wrapping an arm around my shoulders Together, we tumed to leave. 1

But before we could talor a step, Nathan was yanked backward.

Alex’s List connected with Nathan’s law, the sound of the punch echning in the room.

“Stay away from my wife,” Alex growled, his voice low and threatening

I stood there, Imogen in shock

“Wite” i managed to choke out, my voice barely above a whisper.

Alextumed to me, his eyes tilled with something I couldn’t name, Possession? Desperation?

Whatever it was, it terrified m

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RAINA

Walking through the front door, I barely had time to drop my purse beton Dominic’s voice rang out.

“Back so soon?” he asked, histone carrying more curiosity than judgine.

Behind me, Nathan followed, his bruised face immediately catching the attention of everyone in the living room. Grandma gasped, her hands flying to herchest as she stared at him in shock

Dominic’s tone was sharp and unyielding as his gaze moved from Natham to me and back again. “What the hell happened?” he demanded, his brows fummwing deeply. His suspicion practically radiated off him, making the room feel tenser than it already was.

“Alex happened,” I said curtly, brushing past him without missing a beat. My handsted lightly on Nathan’s arm as a guided him toward the couch in the living

Dominic stepped into our path, narrowing his eyes and crossing

org his amus like an overprotective watchulog. “And who’s this guy?” he asked, his words laced with

obvious mistrust

I let out an exasperated sigh and turned to face him, gesturing toward Nathan with a quick flick of my hand. “He’s a friend,” I said pointedly, emphasizing the word in a way that I hoped would disarm Dominic’s overprotective streak

Dominic didn’t move. If anything, his stance became even more rigid, his eyes narrowing further as it sizing Nathan up. “A friend?” he repeated skeptically, clearly

not buying it

“yes, a friend,” I snapped, my patience thinning. “I left the restaurant because Alex wouldn’t stop bringing up the past–exactly what I told him not to do. I needed to cool off, and then 1 bumped into Nathan. And because Alexis Alex, he decided to jump him for no reason‘

Dominic’s frown deepened, and he shifted his gaze back to Nathan, his tone colder now. “And you just happened to run into him?”

Nathan, who had been silent up to this point, cleared his throat and offered a small, strained smile. “I was having dinner with some colleagues nearby,” he said, his voice calm but fimm. “Rain looked upset, so 1 offered to help. Alex, uh, didn’t seem to appreciate that.”

Dominic’s glare didn’t soften, but he stepped aside begrudgingly, letting us pass. “You’re bleeding,” he muttered, his tone still suspicious.

Nathan gave a slight sod. “It’s just a scratch,” he said dismissively.

I shot Dominica waming look before leading Nathan to the couch, where Adelaide, our housekeeper, was already waiting with the first aid kit. Herexpression mimored Dominic’s worry, though he came without the edge of hostility.

“Sit,” Tinstructed Nathan fidy as 1 kelt beside the coffee table.

Adelaide opened the first aid kit with practiced efficiency, pulling out antiseptic and bandages. “This looks nasty,” she mumtured, frowning at the cat on Nathan’s

check

“It’s fine,” Nathan said, but the wince he tried to suppress told me otherwise.

I said, reaching for his chin. He hesitated for a moment before leaning slightly forward, letting me get a better look at the injury.

“This might sting, I warned belote dabbing at the cut with antiseptic.

Nathan barely flinched, his paze steady on mine as I worked. “Thanks,” he said quietly.

I didn’t respond, focusing instead on cleaning the wound. My movements were brisk but careful, the tension in the room palpable.

Dominic hovered nearby, his arms crossed as he watched us with an unreadable expression. I could feel his eyes on me, disapproval practically radiating across

the room.

When Adelaide handed me a bandage, I gently applied it to Nathan’s cheek, nothing it down with a light touch. There,” I said, leaning back and exhaling a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding

“Thank you,” Natlun said again, his tone sincere.

I nodded,

, rising to my feet. “I’ll go wash up.” I muttered, needing a moment to collect mysell.

As I left the rooin, Theard Dominic’s voice, low and serious. “We’re not done here,” he said, presumably to Nathan

I washed my hands quiddy, my thoughts racing. When I returned to the living room, the tension seemed to have eased slightly. To my surprise, Dominic was no longer glaring at Nathan. Instead, be extended a hand toward him, a small, grudging smile tugging at the comer of his lips.

Mathan slood and shook his hand firmly, the exchange so cordial it almost felt surreal and I caught the tail end of their conversation.

“See you soon,” Dominic said, his tone unusually wan

“Looking forward to it,” Nathan replied with a polite nod

“What’s going on here?” I asked, my curiosity piqued as I stepped closer

Dorganic named to me, bis smile still in place. “Turns out Nattus here is the director of Everine Solutions, one of our partner companies. We’re probably going in

“well, that settles it,” Grandpa said with a grin. “Raina, you need to go on a date with this man. It’s good for business.

“Grandpal” 1 exclaimed, my cheeks instantly burning with

hembarrassment.

His eyes met mine, and for a moment, the room felt too small, everyone’s eyes on me. I cleared my throat, looking away to break the tension.

Nathan stood, thanking everyone for their hospitality. As he headed for the door, Falth called out from the nusery.

I groaned, covering my face with my hands. “I don’t want a relationship right now,” I said firmly. “Not when everything is such a mess.

Falth softened, her tone shifting from playful to understanding. “It’s okay to be scared,” she said gently. “But you don’t have to jump into anything serious. Take it slow, see how it goes.”

Once I was in my room, I immediately stripped off the emerald–green dress and tossed it onto the bed. The fabric still smelled faintly of the restaurant, a subtle reminder of the evening I wanted to forget.

1 told myself I needed another shower, hoping the warm water would help me clear my head.

As the spray cascaded over me, I found my thoughts drifting to Nathan. His calm demeanor, the way be stepped in when I needed help, the way he looked at me I were the only person in the coom

And then, unbidden, I started comparing him to ex

Kathun, on the other hand… he was thoughtful Gentle

But would be accept my children as his own?

The question caught me off guard, and I felt my chest tighten. I didn’t have an answer, and that scaled me.

Shalang off the thought, I stepped out of the shower and wrapped myself in a towel. I couldn’t think about this now–not when everything was still so complicated.

by the time noon rolled around, I was ready to block his number for good

“I’m done,” I muttered, setting my phone down on Dominic’s desk

We were in his office, going over approved documents for an upcoming project.

Doise with what? Domine asked, glancing up.

Dominic undrked, nodding in agreement. “Good. If he has something to say, he can direct it to me pistead.“”

1 Laughed softly, grateful for his support

“And honestly,” Dominic added, leaning back in his chair, “he could take a lesson from Nathan. That guy’s got his head ori straight,‘

Toward my break, my phone buzzed again. This time, the name on the screen made my heart skip a brat

“Hi, Raina,” he said warmly. “I was wondering–are you on your lunch break yet?”

“Yes, actually,” I said, glancing at the clock.

“This place is amazing.” I said as we took our seats.

We ordered, and when the food arrived, 1 couldn’t help but let out a small, involuntary moan as I tasted the first bite.

“Don’t apologize,” he said, calling the waiter over. “Can we get another order of this? To go, for the lady,”

His thoughtfulness caught me off guard, and I found myself smiling despite the chaos of the past few days.

As we ate, he asked casually, “What are the chances of seeing you more often?”

» xatluan, you’re a great guy,” began, and he interrupted with a joking “Uli–ols”

“But everything in my life is such a mess right now. My ex won’t leave me alone, I’m still dealing with a sick child, and I have another one at home who needs me

Hi words theme ott. Was this it? Had I finally found someone good?

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35

It was always the same man. Wherever Raina went, he seemed to hover near her like a shadow–watchful, protective, and far too familiar. I’d first tried to rationalize it, telling myself maybe Dominic had hired him as some sort of bodyguard. But no, it wasn’t that simple. A bodyguard wouldn’t look at her like that, with affection in blatant it was impossible to miss.

Just the thought of his name made my jaw tighten. He wasn’t just around her, he was everywhere. Calling, texting, showing op at the hospital. My stomach chumed every time her phone buzzed and I’d see his name flash across the screen. Twice wasn’t obsessive, sume, but it was enough to make me question how much of her time and attention he was stealing. Enough to make me wonder if this guy had already planted himself in her life in a way I no longer could.

It Nathan wanted her for himself, then I needed to act fast. I couldn’t lose her–not again