Chapter 192
RAINA
Leaving Alex and Dominic to sort it out themselves had been a big mistake. I knew that right then, as I sat back and did nothing.
Alex had told me just to stay with the kids–that he and Dominic would team up and fix this. I actually believed him then.
But now? It was worse than ever.
And Eliza was still out there–pardoned when she should have been rotting in a prison cell. If that wasn’t enough, Faith wanted out of her marriage. Not because of anything between her and Dominic, but because my stupid brother had decided to think with his knees instead of his brain.
I looked at my children, my heart heavy. Ava was lying on the couch, watching cartoons, and Liam was putting up his toy blocks with the kind of focus only a toddler could have. They had no idea what was going on.
How was I supposed to leave them?
How was I supposed to sit back and do nothing while my family fell apart?
Alex had promised me. He had looked me in the eye and said he would take care of it. That I didn’t need to worry. That he had it covered.
But he hadn’t explained a single thing. No updates, no reassurances. Just silence.
And part of me was angry with him for that.
I took a deep breath, bracing myself before I called the kids over. Ava’s eyes flashed with interest, but Liam just lurched closer, his chubby little hands wrapping around my fingers. My heart squeezed. They were too young to be told, but there was no way around it.
“I have to go back,” I informed them, trying to sound calm. “There’s sort of an issue.”
Ava’s face contorted. “What sort of issue?”
“The kind I need to help fix.” I brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “But I won’t be gone long.”
That was a lie. I didn’t know how long I would be gone.
Grandma, who had been sitting across the room, watching, finally spoke up. “You think that’s a good idea, Raina?” She pinned me with a sharp look. ” Maybe you should just wait and let Alex or Dominic take care of it.”
I did let out a small sigh. “I can’t, Grandma. I’ve been out of the office too long already.”
“That office will survive without you,” she said. “Your children need you here.”
I knew that. God, I knew that. But if I didn’t go now, everything would just keep getting worse.
“I’ll be back before you know it,” I promised, stooping to kiss Liam’s forehead. He grinned up at me, unaware of the storm clouds gathering. Ava, however wasn’t so easily placated.
“You always say that,” she muttered.
A pang of guilt settled in my chest, but I didn’t have time to dwell on it. I gave her one last hug before I went to my room to pack
By the time I got outside, there was a black SUV waiting for me. One of the security officers was by the door, his face expressionless.
“I’m coming with you,” he said as I drew near.
I shook my head, settling into the passenger seat. “No. Stay with Grandma and the kids. They’re the priority.”
His eyebrows drew together. “Ma’am, if something happens to you-”
“Then you’ll still be here to protect them,” I interrupted him. “Drive.”
He didn’t say another word after that, though I could sense his displeasure as he put the car in gear.
We stopped twice along the way. The first time, I didn’t think much of it, but after the second, I narrowed my eyes at him.
“Why are we stopping?” I asked.
He glanced at me through the rearview mirror. “To throw off anyone following us.”
A cold weight settled in my stomach. So he thought there was someone following us.
I didn’t ask any more questions.
1/2
When we finally arrived at the airport, I went inside and checked the status of the flight. It was late.
Of course.
I sighed and pulled out my phone, dialing Faith’s number. It rang. And rang. And rang.
No answer.
Something about that didn’t sit right with me, but I had no choice but to wait.
The minutes ticked by like they were hours, waiting for my flight to be called.
Taking one last look at my phone–still nothing from Faith–I exhaled sharply and boarded the plane.
+25 Bonus
The airport was filled with the usual throngs of travellers, the hum of announcements echoing overhead. I walked fast, my bag slung over my shoulder; my mind too restless to think of anything other than getting home.
Then I saw her.
Vanessa.
She waited beside one of the boarding gates, dressed in a pair of designer loungewear, sunglasses perched atop her head, a pull suitcase parked next to her. She looked like she was going out on some kind of vacation, relaxed and carefree as if none of the chaos back home had touched her.
