Chapter 144
“You’re malding a mistake, Raina,” he said, his voice dripping with venom. “Letting him come between us? You’ll regret it. You know I’m not wrong for fighting for the woman I wast. The woman I love.”
My stomach turned, and I almost gagged. Love? Was he insane? How could he claim to love me when he was planning to kill me and destroy my family?
Nathan Now.” Dominic’s voice cut through my thoughts like a knife. “It’s time for you to go,
Nathan paused at the door, turning to Alex. His voler was low, but he made sure I could hear him.
“This won’t be the last time you see me,” he said. His gaze flicked to me. “I’ll be back, Baina,”
It clenched my fists, anger bolling inside me. “Maybe you’re the one I need to get a restraining order against,” I shot back, my voice steady and defiant.
Nathan’s smirk faltered for a friction of a second before he turned and walked out of the room.
The moment he was gone, Alex crossed the room in three long strides, his hands cupping my face as he knelt beside me. His touch was steady and grounding, and for the first time since Nathan had entered the room, I felt like I could breathe again.
His eyes scanned me for any signs of harm
“Are you okay?” he asko, this voice low, his eyes scaming me for any sign of harm.
I couldn’t help – Tears pricked my eyes, and I threw my arms around him, burying my face in his shoulder. My voice trembled as I whispered, “I thought you wouldn’t come. I thought…”
Alex pulled me closer, his hand stroking the back of my head gently. “I knew something was wrong,” he murmured, his breath warm against my ear. “I felt it Thad to rush back. I’m glad I listened to my heart.”
My chest tightened at his words, but before I could respond, Dominic’s voice cur through the moment like a knife. He made a gagging sound. “This is disgusting,” he said, though his tone was more teasing than yed “Can you two save the lovey–dovey stuff for when I’m not around? He leaned
against the doorway, arms crossed, a smirk playing on his lips:
1 pulled away from Alex, wiping at my face as I laughed shably. “Thanks for ruining the moment, Dom.”
He shrugged, feigning innocence. “What can I say? Someone has to keep things grounded.”
The lighthearted exchange eased the tension in the room, but I was still trembling on the inside. I was ready to leave. “I’m going home,” I said firmly.
Alex looked hesitant. “You need to eat first, Rain”
“I’ll eat at home,” countered. My voice left no room for argument. “I just… I need to be home.”
Dominic didn’t argue either, Instead stepping back to give us room. “Fine,” he said. “Let’s get you out of here.
When we got home, the familiar walls of the Graham estate did little to comfort me. I was top drained to do anything but sit on the couch and try to collect myself. Alex was pacing near the door, his phone buzzing in his pocket.
He glanced at the screen, his expression instantly tightening. His jaw clenched, and he excused himself to take the call, stepping out of the room.
I watched him go, unease setting in my chest. Who was on the other line? And why did he look so conceed?
Dominie walked into the root, holding two mags of tea. He handed one to me before sinking into the armchair across from me “What’s with him?” he asked, nodding toward the door Alex had just excited.
“I don’t know,” 1 admitted, staring at the tea in my hands. “But something’s wrong.”
Dominic’s brow furrowed, “I don’t like that he’s keeping secrets. If he knows something, he needs to say it”
Before I could respond, Alex reentered the room, his expression guarded. He molded my gaze as he grabbed his coat from the chair.
“I need to leave,” he said abruptly.
Dominie was immediately on alert. “Is everything olury?
Alex hesitated for a traction of a second before nodding “I will be. But I need to leave now
He turned to head for the door, still not looking at me.
“My voice was
voice was soft, almost pleading.
He stopped but didn’t turn around. “I’ll be back, Raina,” he said quietly. Then he was gone, the door closing behind him with a definitive click
i set there, the tea cooling in my hands, my heart feeling just as heavy as it had bock at the hospital. Why wouldn’t he tell me what was going on? Why
-25 Bonus
wouldn’t he look at me?
Dominic cleared his throat, breaking the silence, “You clory?”
“No,” I admitted, setting the mug on the table. “But I guess I have to be.”
Dominic didn’t push for more. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, his gaze thoughtful. “He’s probably trying to protect you,” he said after a moment.
“know,” I whispered. “But it doesn’t make it any caster.”
