A Divorce He Regrets (Alissa Nexus) novel Chapter 88

RAINA

First day of the court hearing. My stomach churned with nervous energy, the kind that clings to your bones and refuses to let go. Nathan had assured me everything would be fine, but I couldn’t shake the nagging doubt clawing at my thoughts. This wasn’t just about paperwork or legalities—this was my life, my freedom, and my son’s future on the line.

Dominic squeezed my hand as we rode from the hotel to the courthouse. We’d left New York for California, the state chosen for the trial. His support was a quiet strength beside me, though my mind drifted to Nathan. He’d spent weeks pouring over my case, flipping between his place and mine, sometimes crashing on my couch just to keep working. But now, on the most critical day, he wasn’t here yet.

Family emergency, he’d explained. He promised to meet us at court, but worry prickled at me. Was he okay?

The courthouse loomed ahead, its imposing structure adding weight to my already heavy heart. As we stepped out, my gaze immediately landed on Alex. He was standing with his lawyer, a woman with sharp features and an even sharper expression. Behind him stood Vanessa and his mother, both giving me looks that could curdle milk.

I held my head high, refusing to flinch under their stares. Alex noticed me almost immediately, his body language shifting as though he wanted to approach. I glared at him, silently reminding him of the restraining order.

“Do you really want to do this, Raina?” Alex called out, his voice laced with something that almost sounded like regret.

I squared my shoulders. “I’ve never wanted anything more than this divorce,” I replied, my tone steady and firm.

His mother, never one to keep her opinions to herself, huffed indignantly. “This is wrong, Raina. It was just a harmless mistake on Alex’s part!”

Harmless. The word made my blood boil. I laughed bitterly, anger seeping into my voice. “A mistake that cost me five years with my child? A mistake that almost cost my son his life? You call that harmless?”

Before she could respond, a familiar figure appeared—Eliza. She waltzed in with the audacity only she could muster, taking her place beside Vanessa as though she belonged there.

Alex’s eyes narrowed. “What are you doing here?” he demanded.

Eliza didn’t even glance at him. Her focus was entirely on me, her lips curling into a saccharine smile. “I’m here to support you, Alex,” she said, her voice dripping with faux sweetness. “I finally understand why you didn’t want to marry me. And I forgive you. Once this is over, we can finally have our wedding.”

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