1 glared at Alex, arm crossed, waiting for the nonsense he was about to spill. He leaned backslightly, as if gathering his thoughts, before finally speaking
“You might want in keep your distance from Nathan,” he said, his tone almost casual but loaded with meaning. “You’re still a married woman, afterall*
The audacity.
I felt heat rise to my face. The sheer nerve of him, acting as if he had any right in lecture me about who I spent my time with “Funny, “I sapped, my voice dripping with sarcasmn, “because those same ndes didn’t seem to apply to you when you were engaged to Eliza Dodd being murdled not matter then?”
That shut him up. He stared at me,
me, his jawtightening. but no response came. Typical Alex
I stood, ready to leave, when his voice stopped ine
“Did you know Nathan is an orphan?” he asked. “He was in the same orphanage as
s you and Dominic.”
I froze mid–step, my stomach twisting uncomfortably. Slowly, I turned back to face him, “You had Nathan investigated?” Lasked, my voice sharp with disbelief.
Alex shrugged, as if his blatant invasion of privacy was no big deal. “Yes, And did you know he also attended the same college as us? He studied law there before going on to law school.”
My chest tightened. No, I didn’t know that. I didn’t know any of it. The malization hit me hard–new next to nothing about Nathan Sure, he was tweet, attentive, and everything I thought I needed, but Alex’s words planted a litter seed of doubt in ray paind.
“What are you getting at?” I asked, my voice colder now, my defenses firmly in place.
Don’t you find it odd that he suddenly showed up in your life?” Alex pressed, his eyes locking onto mine. “First the orphanage, nowcollege. In’t it a little too convenient?
I wanted to scodt, to dismiss him completely, but I couldn’t. The truth was, he had a point.
How could I have been so careless? I felt a sharp stling of embarrassment and frustration at myself. Nathan could play me if he wanted to, and I wouldn’t even see it
–
It hat me then — it was good that Nathan and I were on a break. After the divorce was finalized, I’d insist we get to know each other better before moving forward. It he was the right person for me, he’d understand
But for now, I had no patience for Alex’s meddling.
“Tra done with this,” I said firmly, my voice hard. “You have no evidence that Nathan has bad intentions. Until you do, stay out of my life. And I’m not joking abour the resi pairing order.”
“won’t you believe me?” Alex asked, his voice low,
w, his frustration palpable.
I paused, staring at him. For a moment, I debated whether or not to say what was on my y mind. Then, leaning forward slightly, lowered my voice.
“I told you Eliza tried to kill Liam the day I was kidnapped, would you believe me?
His expression froze, his mouth tigerning as if he couldn’t decide how to respond.
That told me everything I needed to w
“Thur’s what I thought,” Litery, Mading up. “See you in court.”
I didn’t wait for his response.
by the time I stoned out of the coffee shop and got to my car, my mind was racing with anger and exhaustion, My hands shook slightly as I gripped the steering
Alex had to right to question my choices, no right to dig indo dry life or Nathan’s. But as much as I hated to admit it, his words wouldn’t stop cliding in my mind.
Backat my office, Alra’s words echoed relentlessly in my mind. Nathan had been at the plunge. The thought was unsettling, not because I doubted Nathan’s intentions—at least, not entirely–but because of the implications
Did he known back then? Did he know Donic!
And then there was college. Alex mentioned that Nathan had been there too. Was he watching me during those years? Was it all coincidence, or had there been something deliberate about the way our lives had intersected?
Truded my triples, Trying to push the spiraling questions away. Now wasn’t the time to lose myself in suspicions and
I needed priorities. First, had to finalize the divorce. Then, I’d file for sole custody of Liam to ensure Alex couldn’t pull any more stunts. After that, there was Eliza, who still needed to be dealt with–bercrimes against me and Liam couldn’t go unpunished
Maybe once all of that was behind me, I’d have the energy to condroni Natliatabout his past
But until then, Trouldn’t afford to let my focus waren.
+25 Bonus
“Forus, Raina,” I told myself aloud, my voler milling through the chaotic whilwind in my head.
1straightened my spine, squared my shoulders, and dove hack into work, determined put in let anyth
The day felt like it would never end. Each tick of the clock seemed slower than the last, and every moment at my desk was filled with the weight of Alex’s accusations and the anxiety of the looming court date. My mind replayed his wonds on a loop – Nathan, the siphanage, the college connection. It was exhausting, trying to sort through it all while keeping my composter at work
By the time I finally shut my compoter off and gathered my things, exhaustion had seeped into my bones. All I wanted was the tuary of home. A long, hot bath and silence to drown out the chaps sounded like heaveIL
But when I stepped into the parking lot, the sight of Nathan leaning casually apalost my car stopped me in my tracks.
His relaxed posture and warm smile were a balm to my frayed nerves. He looked so effortlessly calm, twirling a card between his fingers like he’d been waiting for me. The tension rolled in my shoulders began in loosen before he even spoke
“Hey,” he greeted, his voice familiar, comforting, and steady,
“Hey,” I replied, managing a small sisäle despite my s
y weatness.
Katham always had this way of grounding me, just seeing him eased the knots in my chest, even if only slightly.
We exchanged small talk about our day. His easy demeanor, his genuine Interest in how I was holding up–it all felt like the kind of normalcy I desperately needed. As he spoke, the storm in my head began to quiet, plece by piece,
Then he held up the card he’d been toying with, his expression shitting slightly. There was a flicker of nervousness in his eyes, just enough to make me pause.
“There’s an auction this weekend, he began, his tone light but sincere. “It’s for lawyers. They auction us oft based on our ranks by different categories, to take on pro bone cases for the underprivileged.” He hesitated for a moment, cuming his thumb over the edge of the card, “I was invited, but..” He trailed off, finally looking at me directly. “I need a date.”
I blinked, surprised by his candor. There was something deeply eamest in his words, and the cause itself touched me. It wasn’t just another event for the sake of appearances—it was about helping people, making a real difference.
“That sounds wonderful,” I said softly, the stress of the day momentarily melting away.
“You’ll come with me?” he asked, his voice brightening, the flicker of nerves giving way to hope.
I nodded, feeling a small but genuine smile spread across my face. “I’d love to.”
For the first time that day, I felt a spark of excitement. It wasn’t just about the event–it was about being part of something meaningful.
Nathan’s smile widened, his eyes lighting up with relief and warmth. “Thank you,” he said, his tone filled with gratitude.
For a brief moment, the doubts Alex had planted in my mind shrank into the background. Nathan’s sincerity, his willingness to involve me in something important
I was the reassurance 1 needed that, at least for now, I could trust him.
“You’ll need a dress,” he added, a playful glint in his eyes.
I laughed lightly. “oood thing tomorrow’s Saturday. I’ll have time to shop.”
“perfect,” he said. He stepped closer, his hand brushing mine briefly before he pulled back. “I’ll pick you up at seven?”
“Seven it is,” 1 agreed, feeling a flicker of antidipation
As Nathan walked away, I stood there for a moment longer, letting the weight of the day lift just enough to remind me that maybe just maybe things could get better.
The next day, I headed to my favorite boutique, hoping to find the perfect dress for the auction with Nathan. I needed something elegant, something that reminded me I was still in control of my life, despite the chaos Alex had brought back into IL
The moment I stepped into the store, my stomach sank. There they were–Alex’s mother and Vanessa, browsing racks of designer gowns as if they owned the place
1instinctively hesitated, debating whether I should tem around and leave before they noticed me. But before I could make my escape, Alex’s mother’s voice rang
“Raina!” slie called, loud and cheery, though the undertone was unmistakable. “Is this how you’re going to behave with your mother–In–Law?”
Mother–in–law.
The words hit me like a slap, grating against my nerves and making my hands clench at my aides. As it needed another reminder that, legally, I was still tied to Alex still his wife, at least on paper.
For a moment, I froze, a thousand responses flashing through my mind, each more biting than the last, but I held my tongue and forced myself to stay calm, knowing full well they were ching for a reaction
