36
I was tired of it. of him. of Alex’s constant hovering, always showing up where I least expected, or wanted, him to be. It felt like every time I turned a comer, there he was, lurking like a shadow. He was everywhere, and the worst part was. It was starting to get to me. Not in a good way.
By the time I got to my office, my head was spinning with frustration. Before I could even drop my bag onto the chair, Nathan was there. His hand reached out gently, brushing against mine, his touch steady and deliberate. His eyes, soft and full of understanding, searched mine as he said, “Calm down, Raina.”
The warmth of his voice melted some of the tension in my chest. He didn’t crowd me, didn’t push, just waited. I didn’t realize what I was doing until 1 wrapped m ams around him in a hug. My face pressed against his shoulder, and I mumbled, “Thank you. For some strange reason, you’re always there when I need someone
Nathan pulled back slightly, his hands resting on my shoulders as he smiled at me. “If you really want to thank me,” he said, his voice teasing yet serious, “then go out with me. On a proper date.”
softly, his smile never faltering. “This is me showing my intentions, Raina. I like you. I want to
My breath hitched, and 1 blinked at him, startled. He chuckled so pursue you,date you if you’ll let me.”
For a moment, I couldn’t speak. My heart skipped a beat, the words sinking in. Pursue me? Date me? It had been so long since anyone had said something like that to me, and meant it.
Slowly, I nodded. It was time. Time to move forward, time to take a step out of the shadows of my past. If nothing else, maybe this would send a clear message to Alex I didn’t need him.
Nathan’s eyes lit up at my response, and for abnel moment, it felt like the weight on my chest lifted. But, of course, that peace didn’t last.
The office door slammed open, and Dominic stormed in his expression thunderous. “Baina,” he backed, his tone sharp and furious, “we’ve got a problem.”
1 frowned, stepping back from Nathan “What’s going on?”
“That psycho found a way to get a job in my department,” he seethed, his fists clenched tightly at his sides.
“Who?” I asked, though deep down, I already had a sinking feeling I knew the answer,
“he spat, his voice dripping with disgust
Of course. Alex’s meddlesome sister. My hands balled into fists as anger surged through me. First Alex, now Vanessa? Faith didn’t deserve this nonsense, and neither did Dominic. I wasn’t about to let her destroy another marriage–not after what she’d already done to mine
Without hesitation, I marched out of my office, my blood boiling. Nathan followed a step behind, his presence steady but quiet.
When I reached Dominic’s department, it wasn’t hard to spot Vanessa. She was seated at a desk, humming to herself as she happily set up her space like she belonged there. The sight made my blood boil. The audacity.
– didn’t see me coming until 1 was right in front of her, grabbing her arm and yanking her to her feet. The smug smile on her face vanished as 1 swung her around and slapped her.
“Fackup,” I snapped, my voice cold and sharp. “You’re not worlding here.”
Vanessa’s hand flew to her cheek, her eyes wide with shock. “You can’t fice me,” she sneered, trying to regain her composure. “I’s not leaving.”
Befour 1 could respond, Dominic spoke up from behind me. “Actually,” he said, his voice calm but tim, “you haven’t sighed any contract yet, which means you can be dismissed without cause. And even if you had signed, this company reserves the right to terminate employees at any time.”
Vanessa’s face twisted in disbelief as she turned to Dominic. “Why can’t you see that I’m doing this for you?” she cried, desperation seeping into her voice. “I just want to be closer to you, so we can be together!”
Dominic’s expression hardened, and his voice cose with uncharacteristic fary. “Why can’t you see that I don’t want you?!” he shouted, holding up his hand to show off his wedding ring. “I’m happily married”
As if en cue, a soft voice called from the hallway. “Domine?”
Tumed so quickly I nearly stumbled, but Nathan caught my arm, steadying me. There stood faith, cradling her baby boy in her arms.
Dominic’s entire demeanor shifted in an instant. The angermelted from his face, replaced by a smile so gemine it took me by surprise. “Good,” he said, histoce Lighter now. “You’re here.”
He crossed the room to Faith’s side, wrapping an arm around her shoulder “Vanessa,” he said pointedly, “this is Faith. My wife”
Vanessa lett a disbelieving laugh, shaking her head. “Nice try,” she scotted. “I don’t believe it.”
“Dominic, go,” I said, stepping forward. “I’ll handle this ”
Dominde hesitated, glancing between me and Vanessa, but eventually nodded. “Thanka, Raina,” he said before leading Faith out of the room.
Timed back to Vanessa, who was still glaring at me, her arms crossed defensively
“I’m calling security,” I said, my voice steady.
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“They’re already on their way,” Nathan interjected, his calm presence reassuring
Vanessa sneered. “You think this is over? Alex got me this job. He’ll get me another one.”
*This isn’t Alex’s company,” I shot back “You can’t waltz in here and act high and mighty. Not anymore.”
The sound of security guards approaching made Vanessa’s face pale slightly, but she held her ground, her defiance unwavering.
Once she was escorted out, I barely had time to catch my breath before my phone tang. It was the hospital
“Graham,” the doctor said when I answered, “Liam’s been asking for you. ”
Guilt stabbed at my chest. Thadn’t been spending enough time with him lately, ton caught up in everything else.
“I’ll be right there,” I said, already moving toward the door.
Nathan gave me a questioning look, and I quickly explained the situation. “We’ll talk later, “I promised before barrying out.
When I arrived at the hospital, the sight of Liam’s tear–streaked face made my chest tighten painfully. My little boy looked so small, so fragile, sitting up in his bed with his fists clenched around the blanket. His lips quivered as fresh tears rolled down his cheeks, and I felt a rush of guilt hit me like a wave
“Llam!” I said, rushing to his side. I dropped my bag onto the chair and leaned over him, wiping away the tears on his chuliby cheeks with my thumbs, “What’s wrong, baby? Why are you crying?” My voice was soft, but inside I was frantic.
His big, brown eyes looked up at me, glistening with uncertainty, and his little voice trembled as he asked. “Are you my mummy?”
His words knocked the air out of me. How could he ever doubt that? I felt my throat tighten as tears welled up in my own eyes. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I nodded quickly, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Of course I am,” I whispred, my voice cracking, “I’ll always be your mommy. Always
I pulled him into my arms, madling him against me as he buried his face in my neck. His little body trembled slightly, but as I held him, I could feel him relax, the tension slowly leaving him. I didn’t get the chance to buy him gifts, though I did put it at the back of my mind to
“I’m so sorry.“1 mured, stroking his soft hair. “I’m here now. I’ll never leave you again.
I stayed like that for a while, holding him close and letting him feel safe. My heart ached as I thought about everything he had been through–being in a coena, waking up confused and scared, missing so much of his childhood. He needed me more than ever, and I had been too distracted by everything else to see it.
The sound of the door opening made me glance up. A nurse walked in with a clipboard holding some paperwork, she handed it to me gently
“How’s our little guy doing?” she asked, her voice cheerful.
“He’s okay,” I said, glancing down at Liam, who was starting to calm down.
“These are the updated bills, Ms. Gradum,” she said, hertone polite but efficient.
I took the clipboard, scanning through the numbers briefly before booking back up at her, “When can be be discharged?” 1 asked, my voice steady despite the emotious swirling inside me.
She smiled softly, flipping through a few pages. “At this rate, If everything continues to go well, he should be ready to go home by the end of the week”
Her words brought a wave of pellet, but at the same time, a familiar question crept into my mind–one I’d been trying to avoid for weeks
Was I still willing to leave?
The plan to move away, to take tam and Aya somewhere far from all this chaos, had been clear in my mind for so long. It was supposed to be a fresh start, a chance
to rebuild my lie away from Alex and the pain he had caused. But now, things didn’t feel so black and white anymore.
Nathan’s face flashed in my mind, his steady presence, his quiet strength, and the way he looked at me like I was worth the world.
Would he understand? Would be accept my decision to leave it I explained it to him?
And then, another thought–bulder one, one I hadn’t dared to entertain fully before–came crashing in
It he was the one, he would understand why and even go with me.
But could I truly ask that of him to leave his life, his career, and follow me into uncertainty?
Tglanced back at Llam. Shaking off the overwhelming thoughts, i handed the clipboard back to the nurse and thanked her,
soon.”
Thugged Liam tighter, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. “Did you hear that, sweetie?” I said softly. “We’ll be going home soor
didn’t say anything, but he nestled closer to me, and I took that as a sign he was happy.
And when we get home,” added, “you’ll finally get to meet your sister.”
Shit. I needed to have that talk with her on how to treat her brother. The last thing I wanted was for Ava to feel left out or for Liam to feel like he wasn’t being accepted
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But that conversation would have to wait. For now, my focus was on Liam. He needed me, and I was determined not to let anything else distract me from what mattered most.
