A Divorce He Regrets

XAN

of chandeliers cast an opulent sheen over the room. As Raina walked in with her lover, I knew this was the last place I wanted to be, and yet, here I was. Raina

hanging in the balance, I'd resolved to meet her terms in as much as she is ready to save Liam's life. My lawyer's carefully drafted agreement had been rock-solid, everyth

ll my strength to keep my composure. I moved through the crowd, keeping my gaze fixed on he

nflinching as I extended the fina

ly keeping my voice even, the weight of

k the pen I handed her and signed, her hand moving in precise, confident strokes, as if she'd planned for this

back, and it took everything in me to

e laced with bitterness. "Y

ered. "Why would I? You

this is all a show," I muttered, watching for any flicker of guilt or hesitation, any sign t

. "Think whatever you want, Alex. I s

f you care so little, wh

g there before disappearing. "For Liam," she said, the words barely a

is wasn't the most consequential thing I'd done in years. Then, with a no

myself time and again that I was in control, that she wouldn't be able to get under my sk

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ntion, reminders of the deal I'd been working tirelessly to secure. But no matter how many hours I poured int

eturned home, Vanessa was waiting, an expression of dissatisfaction plastered across her fac

really doing this? All for that.. Raina bitch?" The word h

trums. "It's not about her, Vanessa," I replied

ustify it however you want, but we both k

cared to admit. "And what ex

a smug smile, as if she'd hit the nail on the head. "You're

Liam. Raina agreed to the transplant. There's no need for anything el

"So that's it, then? You're willing to give her eve

ught of Raina having this much sway over me made my blood boil. But Vanessa didn't u

echoed after me, laced with bitterness, but I paid it no mind. I had to believe th

lively boy he once was. Anxiety gripped me, refusing to let go, and I had to remind myself, over and over, that he was going to be okay-that fi

ettle, just enough to l

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ring in my chest as I went over the plans in my mind, hoping Raina would be there. She'd agreed to the terms, but doubt gnawe

ow, "but...she left. She said she co

y above a whisper. "Was it her? Or someone else-Eliza, perhaps?" It would be li

with sympathy. "No, Mr. Sullivan. It was he

felt in years. My vision blurred, and before I knew it, I had punched the wall beside me, the sha

save my son. And now, Raina was playing games? Her child's life

e a distant second to the fury burning inside me. This wasn't over. If Raina

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lobby, deep in conversation on his phone. The moment he saw me, he stepped back,

his guards, my fists clenched. "Where's Raina? Tell her to co

s expression darkening. "Calm

to believe that? She's hiding, tr

but calm. "Alex," he said, his v

to make me back off. I shook my head, letting out a bitter laugh. "Of course she is. That's all she's ever been good at, isn't i

e with something like concern. For the first time, I felt a sliver of doubt creep in, a gnawing sensatio

mnity that sent a chill down my spine. "If you really th

"If we work together, we'll have a better chance of finding her faster." I hated

He turned, walking off toward his waiting car. I followed, "I wa

If I stayed involved, I'd be able to uncover what was really going on-an