A Divorce He Regrets (Alissa Nexus) novel Chapter 44

Liam waking up was unexpected a miracle wrapped in fragile hope. Relief and panic tangled in my chest as I grabbed my car keys and bolted. I’d just retired to bed when Dominic’s call came through, his voice urgent but steady. At first, I thought it was about the project, but the moment he said Liam’s name, everything else blurred into insignificance.

The drive to the hospital felt endless, my thoughts a mess of guilt and desperation. The image of Llam’s tiny frame, hooked up to machines, flashed in my mind, followed by the sound of his voice–a voice I hadn’t heard in years. My hands gripped the wheel tightly, knuckles white. How did we get here? How did I let get this far?

When I arrived, I sprinted through the sterile halls, ignoring the curious glances from nurses and visitors. My breath caught when I entered Liam’s room. There, by his bedside, was Raina, her shoulders shaking as sobs wracked her body. She looked so small, so broken, clutching Liam’s hand as if it were her lifeline.

My heart clenched painfully. This was my fault. All of it.

And then I saw Liam.

The boy was frail, his pale skin a stark contrast to the colorful blanket draped over him. His eyes fluttered open, and when they landed on me, they lit up with recognition.

“Dad,” he croaked, his voice weak but filled with so much love it shattered me.

I froze, my legs rooted to the spot. Liam reached out a trembling hand, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I’m sorry for being a bad child.”

I felt my lungs collapse. My chest tightened painfully as his words echoed in my head. Bad child? How could he ever think that?

I moved instinctively, crossing the room in a few long strides and kneeling by his bedside. My hands hovered over him, unsure of how to touch him without breaking him. “No, Liam,” I choked out, my voice barely audible. “You’ve never been bad. Never.”

He smiled weakly, but his eyelids drooped, exhaustion pulling at him. Before I could say more, the doctor stepped in, clipboard in hand, his expression serious yet hopeful.

“As soon as Liam was brought in, we began treatments to address his condition,” the doctor explained. “He’s been given doses of erythropoietin to stimulate red blood cell production, which has helped stabilize him. However, this is only the beginning.”

Raina stood, wiping her tears hastily as she focused on the doctor’s words. I watched her, wanting to reach out but holding myself back. She deserved her space.

The doctor continued, “Liam will need ongoing observation and care. Physically, we’ve made progress, but the psychological effects of prolonged illness and isolation will require attention. He’ll need therapy, support, and time to recover fully.”

Raina nodded, her voice steady despite the lingering tremor. “Do whatever it takes. Just make my son better.”

Our son, I thought silently, my chest tightening at the word. He wasn’t just hers; he was ours.

I turned back to Liam, who was staring at me with wide eyes, as though afraid I’d disappear if he blinked. I wanted to reassure him, to promise that I’d never leave again, but the doctor interjected.

“For now, Liam needs rest,” he said gently. “Too much stimulation could overwhelm him.”

I swallowed hard, nodding. Leaning in, I brushed a hand lightly over Liam’s hair. “We’ll be right here, buddy,” I whispered. Always.”

”

As we left Liam’s room, the weight of everything pressed down on me like a suffocating blanket. My son- our son–had woken up, and the relief was immeasurable. Yet the reality of the situation was undeniable: this wasn’t over. Liam’s frailty, the doctor’s warnings, Raina’s tears–it was all a stark reminder of how much damage had already been done.

When I turned to look at Raina, she was with Dominic, her face buried against his chest. Her shoulders trembled as silent sobs

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Chapter 44

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