A Divorce He Regrets

Chapter 164:

For a moment, I was caught off guard. She didn’t have to think of me, let alone do something like this, yet here she was.

“Thanks,” I replied, taking the suit from her. “That’s… thoughtful of you.”

She shrugged, her gaze dropping for a moment. “You’ll need it for today. Just make sure it works.”

Before I could say more, she turned and walked back down the hallway, leaving me holding the suit.

I took a moment to gather myself before heading to the bathroom to freshen up. When I tried on the suit, it fit perfectly. Standing in front of the mirror, I adjusted the tie and smoothed the jacket, a small smile tugging at my lips.

She still remembered my size. That tiny detail shouldn’t have meant so much, but it did. It reminded me of a time when things weren’t so broken between us, a time when we knew each other in ways that mattered.

For the first time in what felt like ages, I allowed myself a moment of quiet hope. Maybe, just maybe, there was still a chance to mend what had been shattered.

The funeral was somber, the air heavy with grief and finality. I sat beside Raina, holding her hand gently in mine. She didn’t pull away, though she barely seemed aware of it. Her shoulders trembled slightly as silent tears rolled down her cheeks. I tightened my grip, a silent promise that I was there, even if my presence could never fill the void her grandfather’s death had left.

The service was mercifully short, yet the weight of it lingered. As the coffin was lowered into the ground, Raina’s grip on my hand tightened, and I could feel her pain in the way her fingers pressed into mine. I whispered softly, “I’m here,” though I doubted it offered much comfort. When the priest spoke the final words, I caught a movement out of the corner of my eye. A figure stood at a distance, partially obscured by the shadow of a large tree. The man wore dark shades that masked his eyes, but the tension in his posture was unmistakable. My jaw tightened as recognition set in.

Nathan.

He wasn’t alone for long. A woman approached him, her demeanor calm and calculated. There was something vaguely familiar about her, but I couldn’t place where I had seen her before. I kept my expression neutral, but my thoughts raced. What were they doing here? And what did they want?

𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗴𝖺𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀⩸𝖼𝗈𝗆

I didn’t voice my concern, not yet. Raina was still leaning into me, her face pale and drawn. She needed calm right now, not another storm.

When we returned to the Graham mansion, the family lawyer introduced himself, his briefcase in hand and his expression carefully neutral. Raina, Dominic, and their grandmother led him to the study for privacy. I lingered in the living area, not wanting to intrude on something so personal.

As I sat, my mind wandered back to the children. Raina hadn’t spoken about them since last night, but I knew she was thinking of them, likely aching to have them here with her.

My phone buzzed, pulling me from my thoughts. It was my contact calling. I excused myself and stepped into the hallway, pacing slowly past the study as I answered.

“They’re doing fine,” my contact assured me. “But they’re asking for you—and their mom.”

Ava’s voice echoed in my mind, the way she had asked why her mother wasn’t with us. I clenched my jaw, guilt gnawing at me. “Tell them I’ll call later and put their mom on the phone. She’s… occupied right now.”

“Understood,” he replied before the call ended.

As I turned back toward the living area, a flicker of movement caught my attention. I stopped mid-step, my gaze narrowing. Someone was standing near the study door, her ear pressed close. It was Adelaide, the housekeeper.

“Adelaide,” I called sharply, making her jolt.

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