Chapter 77
Why hadn’t Raina mentioned him before? Did she even know he had been at the same college?
The questions piled up in my mind, one after another, as suspicion dug its claws deeper into me
I wanted to believe this was just a coincidence, but something about it felt off. First, the orphanage. Now, the same college. I had no idea where Raina had been all these years, but the fact that Nathan had been nearby, that close to her life without me knowing–it didn’t sit right with me.
I realized I needed to talk to Raina. I had to warn her. But what would I even say if I saw her? If she agreed to meet me?
She hated me. I knew that She’d made it clear. Would she even listen to me, or would she shut me out completely? My mind screamed no, but my heart, twisted and desperate, wanted to see her again. To make her understand.
I opened my email and typed a quick response to my investigator:
Dig deeper. I want to know where Nathan was during the years Raina disappeared. Find out if there’s a connection between them during that time. I don’t care how long it takes–just get me answers,
1 hit send, my jaw clenched.
This wasn’t a coincidence.
1 didn’t believe in coincidences anymore.
Just as I was about to leave my office, Vanessa appeared.
I was already teetering on the edge of frustration. Her dramatic whining about Raina tiring her only made it worse.
“Can you imagine the nerve of her?” Vanessa huffed, traill og behind me as I grabbed my suit jacket. “After I worked so hard to get a job at Graham Industries! And then she hires some random woman in pretend to be Dominic’s wife–how absurd is that?”
1 stopped mid–stride, turning slowly to face her. “You got a job at the Grahams company? My voice was cold, my patience wearing thin
Vanessa crossed her arms, pouting like a child. “Yes. And it was going fine until Raina decided to sabotage me!”
“Sabotage?” | barked, incredulous. “Are you listening to yourself? You’re the one who caused a scene! What the hell were you thinking, Vanessal
Her defiance faltered, and for a split second, guilt flickered across ber lace before she masked it with indignation.
“It’s Haina’s fault!” she snapped.
Im. “No, Vanessa. It’s yours. Your obsession with Dominic has gone too far, and now you
I took a step closer, my y voice dropping to a dangerous calm “No, Vanessa. It’s made things worse for me.
She blinked, genuinely startled by my tone.
“If I lose Raina for good because of your nonsense,” I continued, enunciating every word, “Twill deal with you myself.”
With that, I brushed
ushed past her and headed out the door.
I didn’t head straight to Raina’s office. Something told me it would be a waste of time–she wouldn’t be alone, not with Nathan always hovering nearby.
Instead, I drove to Nathan’s office, a sense of unease pushing me forward
When I arrived, my instincts were confirmed. There she was, standing with him.
Nathan leaned casually against the wall, his body angled toward her in a way that made my blood boil. He was too close–closer than any man had a right to be with my wife. It wasn’t just the proximity; it was the way he looked at her, the ease in their interaction. She trusted him completely, and the realization hit me like a punch to the gut.
I stepped out of the car, forcing myself to stay calm even as jealousy churned through me. I leaned against the hood, crossing my arms, and waited.
It didn’t take long for her to notice me. Our eyes mét, and I mouthed, We need to talk.
Her expression didn’t change. She didn’t so much as nod. Instead, she turned back to Nathan, dismissing me entirely
My jaw clenched, the simmering anger threatening to bubble over, I pulled out my phone and quickly typed a message: It’s about your little boyfriend.
Meet me now.
Her phone buzzed in her hand. I saw the flicker of hesitation in her eyes as she glanced at the screen. Then, finally, her gaze returned to mine,
this time.
burder
I didn’t wait for her response. I climbed back into my car and drove to a nearby coffee shop, parking near the entrance where I could keep an eye on the
1/2
door.
-25 Bonus
She didn’t keep me waiting long
Raina stormed into the shop like a whirlwind, her face a mixture of irritation and exhaustion. Her eyes locked onto mine immediately, and I could see the fury blazing there.
“I don’t have time for your nonsense, Alex,” she snapped, her voice low but sharp enough to cut. “You need to stay away from me, or I swear I’ll get a restraining order.”
I gestured to the chair across from me, I
keeping my tone calm despite the tension cracking between us. “Sit down first.”
She hesitated, the fire in her gaze not dimming for a second. But after a long, charged moment, she pulled out the chair and sat down, her posture rigid.
“Talk,” she said, crossing her arms. “Make it quick”
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