A Divorce He Regrets

Chapter 9:

He gave me a quiet, searching look, lowering his voice as he asked, “Are you alright? What did they say to you?”

“It’s fine, Dom. I just need a moment.” I tried to smile, though the weight of their scorn still lingered, like a bruise.

But Dominic wasn’t having it. His face hardened, his usual easygoing demeanor shifting as he turned to look at Alexander and his family.

“It’s unacceptable, the way they’re treating you. They’re like… vultures.”

I gave a small laugh at that. “Vultures would probably be kinder.”

My hand was tingling where he’d held it tight. No matter how much time passed, I realized he would always be that same man—sharp and closed off, unwilling to look beyond his assumptions. My pulse still thudded, but I shook off his hateful sneer, taking a long, steady breath. This is bigger than him, I reminded myself.

Dominic waited just down the hall, and the second he saw my face, his expression shifted, darkened with something close to anger.

“Raina, what did he say?” he asked, his voice low and tense. He hadn’t missed the look in Alexander’s eyes, the possessive way he’d held my arm. “Did he hurt you?”

“No, nothing I can’t handle,” I answered, grateful for his steadiness. Dominic had always been my anchor in times like this, his easygoing warmth the perfect antidote to Alexander’s frosty arrogance.

I wasn’t here to confront Alexander over the past. Not yet. But even Dominic knew how close he was to pushing me past a point of no return.

We walked out together, returning to the bustling hall. The host was now on stage, addressing the crowd, but Alexander’s unmistakable presence weighed on the room as he moved, expression locked in place, trying to project an air of untouchable control.noveldrama

When he saw us, his gaze lingered a moment too long on Dominic, then flickered to me with a coldness that bordered on disdain. It was as though his every attempt to keep himself composed frayed the edges of his calm.

I watched, curious, as Alexander approached Dominic, his expression shifting, trying to be polite. “Dominic Graham,” he greeted, his tone dripping with forced courtesy. “It’s an honor to have you here tonight.” His gaze flicked to me, something akin to amusement glinting in his eyes. “And Raina—always a surprise to see you.”

I bit back a response, my heart beating faster, but Dominic wasn’t about to let him set the tone.

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Dominic raised an eyebrow, a wry smile on his lips. “An honor?” He chuckled, shooting a glance at me. “Not much of an honor if it means my date has to be treated like some common nuisance.”

Dominic’s voice was low but unmistakable. The remark struck Alexander, but he barely let it show, his mouth setting in a line, jaw tightening almost imperceptibly.

“It’s one thing to conduct yourself in private, Alexander. It’s another to act so blatantly in public.” His tone was firm, his words cutting.

Alexander’s face remained blank, but I knew the words landed with force. His eyes darkened, and for a second, I caught the barest flicker of irritation—just enough to confirm that he knew exactly how his family had behaved tonight. Dominic didn’t give him a chance to respond.

“I understand you’re interested in partnering with us…” He raised an eyebrow, his hand resting comfortably on my shoulder. “But that decision won’t be up to me alone.”

I felt Alexander’s eyes shift back to me, but I didn’t give him the satisfaction of looking away. Instead, I smiled, a small, deliberate gesture meant to show him that whatever he’d tried to tear down tonight hadn’t even left a scratch.

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