My heart filled 113

Chapter 113

RAINA

The truth was suffocating. It pressed against my chest, heavy and relentless, like a storm I couldn’t escape. I didn’t even know how I survived the night. My heart felt like it had been shattered into a million tiny pieces, the damage Alex had done years ago resurfacing in full force.

I sat by the lake, staring at the still water, the weight of everything crushing me. How had I let Nathan worm his way into my heart, take control of my emotions, only for him to twist the knife this deeply? Was it his betrayal–the realization that he had only ever wanted to destroy my family- that hurt the most? Or was it the shame of trusting him so completely?

I dropped my head into my hands, groaning softly. My chest ached with every thought. “How did I let it get this far?” I whispered, my voice trembling.

The spot around me was quiet, too quiet. Nothing had changed here. It was still serene, calm, and yet it mirrored my sadness. The same feeling of despair I had carried the last time I came here.

Sadness, disappointment, pain–it was all the same. The lake had seen me at my lowest moments, a witness to my struggles. I realized with a bitter laugh that I never came here to celebrate. No milestones, no moments of joy. This place only knew my grief.

The only light in my life had always been my kids. Ava and Liam. They were my reason, my grounding force. But now? Now I couldn’t even think straight.

Their faces flashed in my mind, and I gripped my knees tighter, staring at the water. I needed to focus. This wasn’t the time to spiral. “Get Liam and leave the country,” I muttered under my breath, the words a mantra. That had been my plan, and I needed to stick to it.

But the thought didn’t bring the relief I hoped for. My mind kept circling back to Nathan, to Alex, to the chaos that had become my life.

I stared at the horizon, the water rippling slightly with the breeze. This place was supposed to bring me peace. Instead, it felt like it was mocking me, reminding me of everything I couldn’t fix.

But then Alex had to show up. Of all people.

I clenched my jaw, the frustration bubbling just beneath the surface. Seeing him here was unexpected enough, but then he had to go and call Dominic.

“Really, Alex?” I muttered to myself, shaking my head.

The thought of those two working together, being… friendly, was baffling. They hated each other–or at least they used to. My mind supplied the reason why things had changed, why they were suddenly so invested in my life.

They had a common enemy now: Nathan.

And somehow, their shared goal made them allies. But it didn’t make it any less irritating.

I pushed Alex away, stepping back to create space between us. “We need to go to the cops,” I said firmly, my voice shaky but resolute. It was the only thing that made sense- surely, with the evidence Dominic and Alex had, the authorities could handle Nathan.

But Dominic shook his head, the expression on his face more serious than I’d ever seen it. “No, Raina. That’s not an option.”

I frowned. “What do you mean it’s not an option? This is serious, Dom. Nathan’s dangerous!”

Dominic let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through his hair. “I know he’s dangerous. That’s exactly why we can’t involve the cops. He’s got them in his pocket.”

I froze, blinking in disbelief. “What?”

He nodded, his tone grim. “I’ve seen the pictures myself—Nathan meeting with high–ranking officers. Shaking hands, exchanging files. They’re not just associates; they’re his insurance policy. We go to the cops, and he’ll know before we even finish filing a report.‘

גן

“That can’t be true…” My words faltered as the weight of what he was saying hit me. Nathan really was more twisted than I’d thought.

“It’s true, Raina.” Dominic’s voice softened, but it carried a sharp edge of frustration. “We need to be careful. One wrong move, and he’ll retaliate in ways we can’t control.”