I didn’t even bother forcing a smile. My patience was far too thin, and my mood too sour to entertain any pretense of civility. “ill, and bye,” I said curtly, hoping to escape without further interaction.
But of course, she grabbed my am
“Raina, wait,” Alex’s mother said, her tone usually sweet, dipping with a sugary kindness I’d never head from her before. If I didn’t know better, I might’ve believed she was trying to be gemainely pleasant. But I knew better.
Her grip on my arm tightened as she continued, her voice smooth and calculated. “You know, since you’re still mantled to Alex, wouldn’t it make sense to move back in with us? Or…” She tilted her head slightly, like she was about to offer me the most brilliant solution in all my problems. “Since you’re a Graham, you could always buy us a bigger property to live in. Somewhere more spacious, more elegant–something fitting for a family of our status. Or, if you really hate living with us that much, Alex could always get you a separate place. Somewhere private, where you could have all the space you need.”
My body tensed as anger bubbled under my skin. I yanked my arm away, glaring at her with a look sharp enough to cut steel. “You think I’d entertain that nonsense?” a spat, my voice cold and biting. “Alex has already been summoned to court. We’re getting a divorce. It’s bad enough I have to be tied to your family because of the kids. Never again will I be connected to you in any other way.”
Vanessa, who had been standing nearby with her usual air of smog superiority, let out a scoff. “Doesn’t matter,” she said, her tone laced with disdain. “You’ll always be beneath us. A low class, no matter what name you carry. But for the sake of the kids, maybe you should let bygones be bygones.”
Her words hit me like a slap, sharp and infuriating. My hands clenched into fists at my sides as I tumed on my heel, desperate to walk away before I did something I’d regret. My breathing was shallow as I stoned out of the boutique, my pulse pounding in my ears
By the time I reached my car, my hands were trembling with rage. I climbed in and slanumed the door shut behind me, gripping the steering wheel tightly as I tried to steady myself. I couldn’t start the car–not yet. Not like this.
Instead, I sat there, taking deep, measured breaths, willing the tension to leave my body. “Focus, Raina,” I muttered to myself. “Don’t let them get to you.”
After a few minutes, the anger began to dissipate, replaced by exhaustion and a hollow ache in my chest. I needed to regroup. To find my balance again.
Eventually, I drove to another mail far away from the one I’d just escaped. Once I parked, I sat in my car for a while longer, letting the tension ease out of me before heading inside.
I stood in the dressing room, smoothing out the fabric of the wine red gown I was considering. It clung to my figure perfectly, and for a moment, I was lost in admiration. Then my phone buzzed on the small bench beside me, Nathan’s name lighting up the screen.
Smirking, I swiped to answer. “Why are you calling me?” I asked, my tone mock–annoyed as I tumed slightly, admiring the way the gown shimmered under the fluorescent lights.
“First, because I miss you,” he said, his voice warm, playful, and entirely too channing. “Second, because I forgot to mention–I’ll be wearing a blue suit to the auction. Thought it night be nice if we matched.”
1 couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face. “oh, so now you’re coordinating outfits?” I teased, running my fingers along the gown’s elegant neckline.
“Of course,” he said without hesitation. “I’m trying to win the Best–Dressed Couple award obviously. He chucked at his statement.
1 rolled my eyes, though the mile stayed firmly in place. “Fine,” I relented, glancing at the p
pile of blue gowns I’d already
ly tried oh earlier. “I’ll find something
“Perfect,” he replied, his satisfaction evident even through the plane.
I shook my head, my smile widening despite myself. “Olury, okay, shoe,” I said, playfully shooing him away even though he wasn’t there,
“Goodbye, Raina,” he said with a laugh that made my heart sldp.
The call ended, and I stared at the phone for a moment, shaking in head at his antics before setting it back down. My gaze shifted back to the wine gown, its rich color striking but ultimately pot what I needed tonight.
Sighing, I slipped it off and reached for the gowns from the blue pile.
By the time I found the perfect dress and made it home, it was nearly evening. I rushed to get ready, the house buzzing with excitement as my family teased me mercilessly.
When the doorbell rang at exactly 7:00 PM. Imtered under my breath, “Right on time.”
Malan stood there, looking dapper in his blue suit. But he wasn’t saying anything. He just stared at me, his eyes wide, his lips parted slightly as if words had failed
Are you going to stand there all night, or are we going to this auction?” i teased.
He blinked, then stamnieced, “Y–you look.. breathtaking.”
I raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at my lips. “You look good too, Nathan Hut I didn’t peg you for the stammering type.”
He blushed, scratching the back of his neck. “I got here ten minutes early,” he adultted sheepishly. “Had to paych myself up. For a beauty like you, Balna, any man
would stammer.”
1 felt my cheek warm at the compliment.
The event was elegant and lively. We grabbed drinks, and I noticed how Nathan’s eyes lingered on me. Not in a way that unsettled me, but in a way that made me
feel seen.
me to some of his colleagues, who immediately started teasing him.
He introduced me to:
“So, this is Raina,” one of them said with a grin. “We’ve heard so much about you. Nathan talks about you all the time
I blinked, surprised and flattered. Nathan? Talking about me? I had no idea he liked me this much.
“Don’t mind them,” Nathan murmured, his voice warm and reassuring.
but i couldn’t help but think about how different this was from my past. Ales had never introduced me to his friends. Even in college, he kept me at a distance. But Nathan? Nathan was proud to talk about me.
When Nathan’s tumea
came to be auctioned, I was
I, I was stunned by how high the bids went. It was clear he was highly respected and very good at what he did.
During a break, I headed to the bathroom to freshen up. The door opened behind me, and I assumed it was another woman. But when I turned, I froze.
Alex
hat are you doing here?” I demanded, my voice sharp with disbelief.
“I wanted to make sure you were okay,” he said, his tone infuriatingly calm.
“Of course,” I said bittedly. “You’ve been so considerate of my well–being in the past.”
Alex didn’t flinch. “I’m a sponsor for the event,” he explained, as if that made it okay. “I didn’t know you’d be here, but I’m glad you are.”
1 gritted my teeth. “Well, I’m fine. So leave me alone. And your fiancée Isn’t here to spike my drink this time, so don’t bother trying anything.”
Alex ignored my jab and stepped closer, his gaze intense, I backed away instinctively until I felt the cool tile wall behind mt,
“You look breathtaking, “he said softly, his eyes never leaving mine.
me immobilized. His face was so closel
I raised my hand to slap him, but he caught it mid–air, pinning it above my head. His other hand quickly followed, leaving m could feel his breath against my skin.
“You’re mine, Raina,” he whispered, his voice low and possessive. “You Always were. I made the mistake of letting you go before, but I won’t make that mistake again.”
His nose grazed the curve of my neck, and I shivered Involuntarily.
“Let me go, “Idemanded, though my voice lacked conviction.
He didn’t listen. His lips hovered near mine, so close I could feel their heat. I braced myself for the kiss, my mind racing with anger and confusion. I promised myself right there, I would ade him for harassment.
But it never came,
Instead, he pressed his lips to my forehead, the gesture soft and lingering.
When be released me and stepped back, I was too stunned to move.
By the time I opened my eyes, he was gone
I placed a trembling hand on my chest, trying to steady my breathing “what the bell was that?” I whispered to myself.
And why, I thought bitterly, did a part of me feel something for that arrogant asshole?
