A Divorce He Regrets

Chapter 38:

“Faith,” I said, a little exasperated but more amused than anything. “What are you doing out of bed? You’re supposed to be resting; you’re about to go into labor any minute.”

She shrugged, trying to look nonchalant but failing miserably. “I got tired of lying down all day. Plus… I was craving ice cream.”

I couldn’t help but smile. “Ah, I see.”

As soon as Faith mentioned ice cream, I knew what she wanted. Without another word, I nodded, leading us down the hallway to the kitchen. This late-night ritual had become something of a lifeline for both of us, a comforting habit when sleep wouldn’t come. Since Faith moved into the house, we’d had countless nights like this, where we’d sit together in the quiet hours, just talking. No judgment, no holding back. Just two people sharing their thoughts over melting bowls of ice cream.

Tonight, though, everything felt heavier. As I took the vanilla tub from the freezer, I could feel her eyes on me, her gaze warm and worried, as if she could see the turmoil beneath my calm facade. I grabbed two spoons and slid her one, trying to focus on anything but the knot tightening in my chest.

Faith didn’t say anything right away, just reached for her spoon, leaning on the counter beside me.

“Alright,” she said softly, her voice steady. “Let it out.”

For a moment, I just stared down at the ice cream, letting the quiet fill the room. But as soon as I opened my mouth, the words came pouring out like water breaking through a dam. “I almost lost him today, Faith.” My voice was barely a whisper. “I almost lost Liam… because of Eliza.”

Faith’s hand shot out, covering mine. Her fingers were warm, grounding me, pulling me out of the whirlpool of my own thoughts. I hadn’t realized how much I needed someone to just… be there. Not to fix things or ask questions. Just be there.

Her voice was soft, but there was a hard edge to it. “Eliza? That vile woman. Raina, I can’t even imagine. Thank God Dominic was there to help. I don’t even want to think about what could have happened if he hadn’t been.”

I nodded, swallowing against the sudden tightness in my throat. Her words hit me, one by one, each one heavy and terrible. Dominic had saved Liam; I hadn’t been there. How did I keep finding myself in situations where I wasn’t there to protect the people I loved?

Find the best stories now at gαℓησν𝒆𝓁s․cømnoveldrama

“I thought I’d moved past the worst of it, you know?” I said, forcing out the words. “And yet here I am, still somehow at her mercy.”

Faith’s hand squeezed mine, and she leaned a little closer, her gaze softening. “Does Alexander know? Did you tell him?”

I let out a bitter laugh, one that I couldn’t help but notice sounded harsher than I’d intended. “Even if I did, he wouldn’t believe me. Not without proof. That’s always…”

“That’s been the way with him—words aren’t enough. He’d need undeniable proof, something he couldn’t ignore or twist. That’s why I need to find my phone, but I lost it.”

Her expression shifted to one of understanding, her eyes narrowing slightly. “So your phone… do you think it could have something on it? Something that might make him listen?”

I nodded slowly. “There’s proof that Eliza did it on there. But I lost it… or maybe it was taken. I don’t even know anymore. I just know that without it, I have nothing. Just my word—and that doesn’t hold much weight with him.”

Faith’s eyes narrowed slightly. “So, you’re thinking of… going after it alone?” She tilted her head, studying my face. “Raina, don’t even think about doing this without Dominic at least knowing. I can see it in your eyes. Don’t pretend.”

.

.

.