The ride home was unbearably quiet. My hands clenched in my lap, and my jaw ached from holding back the tears that refused to fall. I was too angry to cry. Too furious at Alex. All this time–years of agony–and 1 had been married to him? To the man who shattered my life? Why would he do this? Why would he play God with my life like it was some game?
Habe wasn’t a strong enough word for what I felt.
As soon as we pulled into the driveway, I pushed the car door open and stormed toward the house. My grandparents stood by the door, balloons in hand, their faces lighting up at the sight of me.
That was when the dam finally broke.
my face, and I choked back a sob as I ran past them. I would’ve made it to my room if my grandfather’s voice hadn’t stopped me.
Tears streamed down my face,
“Where’s Llam?” he asked, his tone laced with concem.
I froze, my back to them, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Liam. Liam won’t be staying with us. Not yet.
The words tasted bitter, and my voice cracked as I spoke. I heard Dominierelling Ava to head upstalas and play. My little girl hesitated, walking over to me instead. She begged at my hand, her big, hopeful eyes looking up at me.
“Don’t cry, Mommy,” she said softly. “Liam will be home soon.”
I tried to smile for her, nodding even though every fiber of my bring screamed otherwise, I wanted to believe those words but it was too obvious that Alex would. make it impossible for me. She gave me a quick hag before scampering upstairs, her laughter echoing faintly.
Once Ava was out of sight, Dominic spoke up. His voice was steady but tinged with anger. “When we got to the hospital, Liam was gone. Allex had taken him. And that’s when we found out Raina… that Raina was still married to him.”
Hearing it out loud again made me crumble. The weight of everything crashed down, and a sob ripped through my chest as i sank to my lewes, My grandmother was at my side in seconds, her hands warm and steady as she helped me up. She whispered soothing words, guiding me to the much.
“Why is this happening to me?” Lasked no one in particular, my voice broken
My grandfather paced the room, his anger barely contained. “That damn Sullivan boy…” His voice trailed off, and Dominic stepped in, his tone firm.
“Calm down, Grandpa,” he said. “Mind your heart.”
Dominic explained everything Alex had said, but my mind kept electing back to one thing–Alex wanted me back. Why? why now, when my life was finally starting to make sense? Why not years ago, when I was desperate for him to come back? Why did he have to run things? And Nathan What would he think of me now? Would he still want me, knowing I’m still married?
My grandmother stroked my hair, her words soft and comforting, but they did little to ease the ache in my chest. After some time, my grandfather stopped pacing and tumed to Domini
“Is there anything we can do to make Alex submit to a divorce?” he asked, his wotce sharp with determination
Dominic sighed. “The Vince Project is still on. We could kick him off, b The state attomey is a friend of the Sullivans.”
but I doubt that’ll stop lim. Our best bet is the court. A different one, maybe in another state.
The old man nodded. “I’ll speak to a friend of mine and get the best lawyer on this. kalna, you have nothing to worry about.”
i wanted to belleve him, but I couldn’t shake the weight in my chest. “I have a lot to worry about,” I muttered under my breath.
1 headed upstairs, my feet heary with exhaustion. Once lamy room, I stared at my phone. I needed to talk to someone who wasn’t family, Someone who didn’t low Alex. Inreded Nathan. But it be heard me crying, he’d rush over, and then he’d find out everything. I wasn’t teady for that. Not yet.
Sleep eluded me again that night. Morning came too quickly, and ani got ready, Grandpa met me in the hallway.
“I’ve found a lawyer,” he said. “Before the day’s out, Alex will be served the court order.”
Bellel washed over me, and I nodded. “What about Ava?” I asked.
“She’s already gone to school,” he replied.
Theaded for the door, Nathan was walling aside. My heart raced at the sight of him. He was leaning casually against his ear, his gaze locked on miese.
Dominic stepped out behind me, raising an eyebrow. “When did you get here?” he asked.
“I’ve been here for a widle,” Natlanteplied, his voice calm but warm. His eyes never left mine.
bominic looked between us and then announced, “Nathan will be handling your case. Not only is he a partner at his tim, but his fins is an ally of ours.
blinked, stuurd. “He knows?” was all I could manage.
ட
Nathan nodded, his gaze softening. He stretched out his hand toward me, and I hesitated before calking it instead of a handshake, he pulled me into a hug, his valce low as he whispered, “It’s okay.”
He pulled back jast enough to look into my eyes. “We’ll need to head to my office,” he said gently. “We need word, his jaw tightening.
go over your history with your ex” He gritted the
–
At Nathan’s offer, the atmosphere was calm yet charged with unspoken tension. He exuded professionalism, sitting across from me with a notepad in hand, his pen poised. But there was warmth in his expression that eased some of the turmoil in my chest.
“You really didn’t know Alex never filed the papers?” Nathan asked, his voice strady but tinged with disbelief. His brows furrowed, his confusion evident.
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “I had no reason to believe he wouldn’t. I signed them minutes after giving birth, Nathan. It was a chaotic, emotional
Test Tirusted he’d follow through My voice wavered as the memory resurfaced. “We hadn’t spoken for years after that.”
Nathan’s gaze softened, and he gave a small nod, encouraging me to continue.
Told him everything every painful detail I’d burled over the years. The anguish, the betrayal, the loneliness. I recounted the day I’d signed those papers, the eduustion from giving birth, and the hollow feeling as Alex walked out of my life with barely a glance back. Every word felt like reopening an old wound, but Nathan listened intently, his pen moving swiftly as he took notes.
When finished, my voice cracked from the strain of revisiting it all. Nathan set his pen down, leaning forward slightly. His presence was grounding, his sincerity unwavering
“Thank you for trusting me with this,” he said, his voice low and eamest. His eyes held mine, and I saw nothing but understanding in them. “We’ll prepare for count and do everything we can to make this right. But until then.” He hesitated, his expression shifting to something more serious. “We’ll have to suspend our relationship.”
His words landed like a blow, though I love they were coming. My chest tightened, but I nodded, forcing myself to remain composed. I nodded, agreeing to suspend our relationship, even though the decision weighed heavily on me. Deep down, I told myself it was for the best. If Mathan hadn’t brought it up first, 1 would have. I was just relieved I didn’t have to be the one to say it out loud.
“I’m sorry.” I said softly, my voice laced with guilt as I looked at him. “I didn’t mean to involve you in all of this.”
Nathan’s expression softened, his smile reassuring as he shook his head. “Don’t apologize, Raina, I’m here because I want to be.”
A flicker of something crossed Nathan’s face–relief, perhaps, or maybe admiration. He smiled then, small but reassuring, and leaned closer. His hand rose, cupping my cheek briefly, his touch warm and grounding.
“I’d kiss you right now,” he said, his tone light and teasing, though his eyes betrayed the longing he felt. “But you’re still a married woman. The day we win this case, though, I would, even if we were still in court…” He trailed off, his smile growing into something more playful, more confident.
I couldn’t help but smile back, despite the ache in my chest. He had a way of making things feel less heavy, less impossible
As left his office, the air felt a little clearer, my steps a little steadier. But the moment I stepped into the hallway, my relief was short–lived. Standing at a distance was Alex, his presence unmistakable.
His expression was clearly:
was anything but friendly, his eyes dark and intense as they locked onto mine. His lips moved, and though I couldn’t hear him, I caught the words
“We need to talk”
My stomach sank, and I clenched my fists, bracing myself for whatever storm was about to conse
