got it
Chapter 137
RAINA
Alex pulled the car to a stop in front of the house, the hum of the engine filling the silence between us. He turned to me, his eyes searching mine.
“Are you going to be okay? His voler was soft but tinged with concer
Thesitated, my hands fiddling with the strap of my bag. “I’ll be fine. I just need some time with my family. I need to tell them what the doctor said.”
He nodded, his jaw tightening briefly, “I understand.”
I could see he wanted to say more, but instead, he added, “I’ll take care of Ava’s test. You can call and talk to the kids later, once things settle.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.
Alex lingered for a moment, his gaze heavy, like he was debating something. Then, with a quiet sigh, he started the engine again. “Take care of yourself.
As he drove away, the raillights disappearing into the night, I felt an ache in my chest. I missed him, more than I wanted to admit. But telling him that wasn’t an option. Not now.
Steeling myself, I named toward the house.
When I walked into the house, the weight of everything pressed harder on my shoulders. Every step felt heavier, my thoughts a chaotic swirl of grief anger, and the carefully laid plans Alex and I had just discussed. Dom was there, pacing by the doorway like a restless lion. He stopped the moment he saw me, his eyes narrowing as he crossed his arms.
“Where the hell have you been?” he demanded, his tone sharp and accusing
I froze for a second, caught off guard by his intensity. My gaze shifted to Adelaide, perched on the edge of the couch, her eyes glued to me with feigned innocence. Her presence was like an Itch I couldn’t scratch, a constant irritation that grew worse every time I saw her.
“Alex,” I said, forcing an annoyed sigh as 1 slipped off my shoes. I let my voice rise just enough for it to sound convincing. “He suggested we take a walk by the beach. But of course, he had to be an asshole about it.” I rolled my eyes dramatically, as if the thought of Alex could barely be tolerated. “I don’t even know why I thought he’d changed.”
The words felt like shards of glass in my throat, each one cutting deeper as I forced them out. My chest tightened painfully because I knew they weren’t true. Alex had changed. I’d seen it in the way be looked at me when he thought I wasn’t paying attention, in the way he handled the kids with care and devotion. But I couldn’t let Adelaide see through me. I couldn’t let her think for a second that Alex was someone I trusted.
“I should’ve known better, “I muttered, shaking my head as I walked further into the room, my fingers curling into tight fists at my sides to keep my emotions in check
Dominic frowned, his anns still crossed, his expression unreadable. Was he buying my performance? Did he see through it? I hoped he did. I hoped he laww I didn’t mean a word of it
Adelaide tilted her head, a mock expression of sympathy crossing her face. “Sometimes people don’t change, ma’am,” she said with a sickly–sweet tone that grated on my carves. “It’s good you see that now.”
Her words were like nails on a chalkboard, each syllable clawing at my patience. I ignored her, my jaw tightening as I turned to Dominic, needing to shift the conversation before I snapped.
“We need some time alone as a family,” I said, keping my tone firm, my gaze locking onto Dominic’s,
Adelaide’s smile faltered, her confidence wavering as she sat up straighter. “I am family,” she said, her voice holding an edge e of defiance.
I shot her a cold look, my patience wearing dangerously thin. “You know what I mean, Adelaide. This is about our family. You deserve a break” My voice was icy, leaving no room for arganum.
ther
Her lips pressed into a thin line, but she rose gracefully, smoothing down her skirt with a deliberate motion. “If you insist,” she said, her tone tight, expression unreadable.
Iwatched her leave, the tension in my shoulders refusing to ease even after she was gone. My tists remained clenched, my nails digging into my palms anger simmered just beneath the surface. How dare she claims to be family after everything she’d done? How dare she poison us, harm the very people who had taken her in
Dominic slumped onto the couch, a long sigh escaping his lips as he stretched out his legs. “Finally,” he said, running a hand through his hair. “I can actually breathe without her around. We need to kick her out. For good”
