A Divorce He Regrets (Alissa Nexus) novel Chapter 65

ALEXANDER

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 so blatant it was impossible to miss.

Nathan.

Just the thought of his name made my jaw tighten. He wasn’t just around her; he was everywhere. Calling, texting, showing up at the hospital. My stomach churned every time her phone buzzed and I’d see his name flash across the screen. Twice wasn’t obsessive, sure, 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.

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

That thought kept looping in my head when a sharp knock cut through my brooding. Before I could even tell my assistant to get lost, the door swung open. Vanessa barged in, her stiletto heels clicking against the floor like gunfire.

“What now?” I muttered, my irritation bubbling to the surface.

But she wasn’t alone. My mother followed close behind, her familiar air of superiority filling the room before she even said a word.

“Why are you two here?” I demanded, leaning back in my chair. “I don’t recall inviting either of you.”

Vanessa flopped into one of the chairs, looking like she had nowhere else to be. My mother, on the other hand, carried herself with purpose as she took the seat across from me.

“We’re family, Alex,” she said smoothly, folding her hands in her lap. “We don’t need an invitation to be concerned.”

I arched an eyebrow. “Concerned about what?”

Her expression sharpened, her tone as pointed as a dagger. “You and Raina.”

That threw me off. My mother had never been particularly fond of Raina, even before the fallout. She’d tolerated her, sure, concerned” wasn’t a word I’d ever associated with their dynamic

“Why the sudden interest?” I asked cautiously.

but ”

“The Graham family is influential, Alex,” she said, as if she were explaining something to a child. “You’ve always known that. Reconciling with Raina could strengthen our ties with them, and that benefits everyone.”

Ah. There it was.

Vanessa, ever the opportunist, leaned forward in her seat, her perfectly manicured nails drumming lightly しょ the armtest as she spoke. “What about Eliza?” she said, her voice laced with disdain and smugness. “She’s been by your side ever since you and Raina divorced. She’d make a perfect partner. Loyal. Supportive. Everything Raina wasn’t.”

I scoffed audibly, shaking my head at her sheer audacity. The laugh that escaped me was bitter, humorless. “We’re not divorced,” I said, my tone clipped.

The effect of my words was immediate.

Vanessa froze, her hand pausing mid–drum as her mouth fell open She sat up straight in the chair, her back rigid, her disbelief almost comical. “What?”

Even my mother, who prided herself on never losing her composure, blinked in shock. For a moment, she looked like someone had slapped her, her polished facade cracking just enough to reveal her surprise. “Excuse me?”

I sighed, leaning back in my chair as I ran a hand through my hair wasn’t sure why I was admitting this now, but the weight of

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Chapter 65

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carrying this secret for so long was suddenly unbearable. “Raina and I… we’re still married. I never finalized the divorce.”

The silence that followed was deafening.

Vanessa’s mouth worked soundlessly for a moment before she finally managed to speak. “You’re kidding, right? Tell me you’re kidding.”

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