A Divorce He Regrets (Alissa Nexus) novel Chapter 6

ALEXANDER

I stood there, arms folded and jaw set, bracing myself for what I knew was coming. I was certain of her answer, and I couldn’t deny that I’d half-hoped for it. She was going to say no. She had every reason to turn me down and refuse any connection between us, especially after the mess my family had made of the evening. I’d let them speak freely, act dismissively—even allowed Vanessa to put her hands on her. It was ugly, but somehow, I’d thought it justified, even deserved.

If I’d known tonight would end with Raina Graham holding my future between her fingers, I’d have planned differently. I’d have orchestrated every move, ensured my family behaved long enough to tolerate her presence if it meant securing her cooperation. But none of that mattered now. Her answer would be a firm, simple no. The way it should be. The way it had to be.

And yet—when she spoke, my certainty shattered.

She agreed. Just like that, she agreed, as though it meant nothing to her, as if she had nothing at stake in it at all. My chest tightened, a strange, uncomfortable feeling settling over me. What was her angle? This wasn’t the Raina I’d expected to face tonight. She was plotting something, I knew it. This had to be some new scheme, a way to pull me in and ruin me when I was at my most vulnerable.

But I kept my face impassive, swallowing back any reaction as the wheels turned in my mind. I couldn’t allow myself to get distracted by her games. For now, all that mattered was the deal. I’d sort out her motives later, pick apart whatever trap she was laying for me after I’d secured what I needed. Until then, I would play along.

Dominic’s gaze was cold as he watched me, a silent challenge behind his stare. He didn’t seem convinced by my agreement either. I could see the subtle tension in the way he held Raina’s arm, almost protectively, as if to shield her from any further confrontation. The way he looked at her—it was protective, possessive even. I clenched my fists at my sides, forcing my mind not to stray to the thoughts simmering just below the surface. It was beneath me to dwell on the past, to let old betrayals resurface.

Without warning, he pulled her to the side, his grip firm on her arm. They spoke in low, urgent tones, their words too hushed for me to catch, but I didn’t need to hear. The way he leaned close, the way she looked back at him—it all told me enough. I’d seen that look on his face before, that fierce, unwavering need to protect. And her? She looked so at ease with him, almost as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Fine. They could play this game all they wanted. I knew her well enough to recognize when she was scheming. The years apart hadn’t erased the woman she’d been when we were married, nor had it changed the way I knew her down to her core. She was ruthless, resourceful, and if I had learned one thing in our years together, it was that Raina would stop at nothing to get what she wanted. Maybe that was the reason I’d been so drawn to her, once upon a time. But tonight, it only served as a reminder that she was not to be trusted.

When they returned, she spoke with that same detached calmness, a tone that nearly made me forget everything that had happened between us. Almost. “Working together is no problem for me, Alexander…as long as I don’t have to deal with your family.” Her voice was cool, unyielding. It wasn’t a request. It was a condition, one that cut sharply through the tension still hanging in the air.

Relief surged through me, stronger than I anticipated, and before I could contain it, the words spilled out of me. “Deal.” It was impulsive, unguarded, and I knew immediately I’d shown too much. But I needed this partnership. The success of everything I’d worked for depended on it. And for once, just this once, I couldn’t let my pride get in the way.

“When can we set up a meeting?” I said, my gaze fixed on her, hoping—damn it, almost hoping she’d soften. She’d let something slip, something that would make this arrangement less of a calculated transaction and more of an actual alliance. I knew it was foolish, that wanting anything from her would only lead to disappointment, but here I was, hoping anyway.

Before she could answer, Dominic stepped in, his voice slicing through the fragile silence. “What’s the rush, Alexander? We’ll need to review everything on our end first.” His gaze hardened, challenging, as if daring me to disagree.

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