Chapter 1

RAINA

My body ached in ways I couldn't describe, and in places I couldn't name. My skin was sticky with perspiration and my muscles were trembling from hours in labor.

The feeling of motherhood—for however briefly I'd just come into it—was so surreal, that I could hardly believe it. Despite having nine long months to prepare my mind, nothing could have truly prepared me for the actual feeling.

'I'm a mother now,' I thought, though my heart still hurt as I lay in the hospital bed, gazing at what could possibly be my greatest fulfillment as a woman.

My newborn twins.

My heart filled with joy and pride as I watched them—my beautiful boy and girl swaddled beside me—but the feeling was almost completely eclipsed by a gnawing sense of unease—one I had become all too acquainted with over the years.

Despite the air conditioner, the sterile room still felt… stifling.

But the coldest presence loomed over me with his broad shoulders and cruelly handsome, emotionless face.

My husband.

He just stood there, regarding me as if I were something to be discarded. Maybe I was. I mean I had just delivered our babies, our future, and he couldn't even offer a smile. No words of comfort.

No, "I'm proud of you."

How I yearned to hear even just that.

I held my breath, waiting for something— anything — to break the silence, but what came next was the last thing I expected.

When he moved, it wasn't to cradle our children or to brush a tender hand against my hair. Instead, he wordlessly tossed a stack of papers onto my lap.

"Sign them." He ordered, cold and detached.

His words took a moment to register.

I blinked— my eyes still hazy from the exhaustion of pushing two little humans out of me. Sign what? I looked down at the papers, then back at him in confusion. "I'm sorry, what—"

"The divorce papers," he cut in harshly, as though it should've been obvious.

My heart dropped — my stomach twisting painfully.

What?

"Here," His voice was clipped as he tossed me a pen. His movements were so impatient; one would think all this was an inconvenience to him and not me—who'd just spent the last few hours in labor.

"What–" My breath caught in my throat as I stared at the papers again in disbelief. What was going on? I had literally just given birth to his children. He couldn't be serious.

A divorce?

"I- I don't understand, I just gave birth-" My voice cracked.

"And you're damn lucky those kids are even mine!" His tone oozed with venom. "I had the doctors run a DNA test the minute they were born," My mouth fell open. "Had the results shown otherwise… believe me when I say I'd have made you and your lover's life miserable."

I reeled back in shock — the feeling so acute, it was dizzying. He'd done what? My what? The accusation hit me like a physical blow. My brain scrambled to make sense of the words as I struggled to breathe— my pulse thundering in my ears.

"Alex, what…" I choked out. "What lover?" Did he think I'd cheated on him? After I'd spent, practically every second showing him how much he meant to me? "What are you talking about—"

"You're not fooling anyone, Raina." He spat, stepping closer. "Now, sign them."

Tears pricked my eyes.

"Is this some kind of joke?" It had to be! "I don't know what–"

"Oh, spare us the theatrics, Raina! We all know what's been going on." Vanessa, his sister, snarled from a corner of the room, stepping forward— I hadn't even noticed her. "So do us a favor and stop…fucking…pretending!"

My mind raced. This wasn't happening. No, it really couldn't be happening. Was I in a coma and living my worst nightmare?

"I'm not—" I started, but she flung a pile of photographs at me— some landing haphazardly on the bed, some fluttering to the floor.

Wincing, I pushed myself into a sitting position and reached for one with trembling hands. Seeing was difficult through the blur of tears. My breathing was labored, coming out rapid and shallow. "A- Alexander, listen-"

"Enough!" He barked furiously, before I'd even had a chance to see the glossy images. "Stop wasting my time and sign the damn papers, you whore!"

A whore? Me— his wife?

Where was this from? What was happening?

His words stung— like a needle lodging itself painfully in my chest.

Oh God, was he being serious then, about… ending this? Ending us?

Panic clawed at the insides of my throat as I began hyperventilating — my body shaking uncontrollably as the room began to spin.

I clenched the sheets, gasping for air— the heart monitor beeping erratically beside me. The warning sound of the machine competed with the sharp ringing in my ears and the voice that boomed from the doorway.

"Step back!" A man in scrubs rushed to my side, and a female nurse ushered Alexander and his sister away.

Through my tears, I searched Alexander's face for some flicker of emotion. However little.

Compassion. Concern. Love.

There was none.

All I found was the coldness in his hard features.

'Had I loved the wrong man?' The thought shattered me.

For years, I'd ignored the signs.

His family had hated me from the onset— believing I wasn't good enough for him and undeserving of their prestige.

I'd endured their insults and constant belittling. Several times, his mother had offered me money to disappear before the wedding and I'd declined — my love for him has been just that: Love. Pure and undiluted. I didn't want money.

At every juncture that they'd maligned me and I'd told Alexander, he'd just shrugged.

"That's just the way they are, Raina. They'll come around."

But they never did. And he never defended me.

Not when his sister called me a gold-digger during our engagement. Not when his father suggested he annul the marriage after our first year.

I stood by him, loving him more despite his family's contempt, their bribes, and verbal abuse, making excuses all the way for his silence.

But now, he was completely gone.

Or perhaps, he'd never been mine at all.

I'd been forcing myself on him the whole time.

It was painfully clear in that moment how he'd really never loved me. Not the way I'd loved him, anyway.

'What a fool I've been,' I thought, as the darkness claimed me.

~~~~

I woke up to the same nightmare.

The beeping of the heart monitor was slower now— more controlled. I blinked slowly, my gaze settling on Vanessa in the far corner of the room—She looked bored. And my… Alex— Alexander, standing once again at the foot of my bed. Watching. Waiting.

Vanessa, always the Viper, was the first to speak,

"Oh good, you're up," She sneered, her eyes gleaming with malice as she pushed away from the wall.

"Now, stop delaying and sign the papers. I have places to be."

My eyes stung. No… it couldn't be real. It couldn't be real. I had to be dreaming.

A tear dropped from my eye and her snarling face became clearer. Why was she even here? She was sure to make matters worse.

"Alex," I whispered, turning to him instead. "Please, can we talk alone? I… This is all a misunderstanding, I'm sure." Desperation choked my words. "Just hear me out."

"No." He glanced at his watch, dismissive. "There's no need. I know all I need to know. We'll talk when our lawyers are involved, so you can save your lies for then."

Oh God. What had happened? In the time between my labor and now… What had changed? My throat constricted as tears welled up in my eyes, my heart shattering into more pieces. "Please, Alex... You know me. You know I wouldn't do any of this. I've always loved you— only you. I've never been unfaithful."

But he didn't care. He didn't even look at me as he spoke. "Just sign the papers. We're done."

God. He wouldn't even give me an audience after everything?

"Alex…" I choked out, my lips trembling, begging him with my eyes to hear me out.

But he just stared hard at me, unflinching, heartless and immovable.

"Please don't make me repeat myself." He ground out, looking as though he was restraining himself from spitting on me.

Tears blurred my vision as I picked up the pen with hands that shook so badly, I could barely scrawl my name— but I did. What choice did I have? As I finished, I looked over at my newborn twins, finding solace in the fact that I would still have them, at least.

But then in a cruel twist of fate, his mother, whom I had not seen because she'd been right beside me, behind the machines, stepped forward and gestured to my babies,

"Take him and let's leave."

My head snapped up in alarm. What??

"Read the papers." Alexander drawled coldly. "You signed away your parental rights to my son."

My blood ran cold. "Alex, no…" I couldn't breathe. "H–he's just a baby, you can't take him away from me! You can't—!"

"He's my heir!" His jaw clenched. Then leaning forward, he continued lethally. "The girl... you can keep her. As a favor. I could take them both, but this way I won't have to worry about her becoming a slut like her mother."

I gasped, recoiling. "Alex! How can you say that about our daughter, about me!"

"Your daughter. Yours alone, from henceforth," he said flatly. "The doctor has said she's unhealthy, and may not survive long. I have no need for a liability. Especially one that might turn out to be anything like you." With that, he turned his back on me— on everything we've had together— and walked out with our son in his arms.

I screamed after him, sobbing uncontrollably, too weak to even get out of bed. "Alex! Alex please! Alex, don't take him!... Please!"

But he didn't look back.

I collapsed, clutching my baby girl to my chest as the sobs racked my body, the weight of the betrayal crushing me.

Rejected and deserted, I was alone.

Completely and utterly alone.

Chapter 2

ALEXANDER

Five years later.

Exhaustion was eating me alive— gnawing at me day after day.

I'd endured it for five years— five goddamn years of this misery, and it wasn't letting up. No matter what I did, or how much I tried to drown myself in work or distractions, it lingered.

The divorce papers were signed and filed away like a bad dream, and that was the last time I'd seen her— but her absence was like an open wound that refused to heal.

Don't get me wrong— I didn't miss her. Not like a man missed his woman. Hell, I didn't even love her anymore. I just wanted— no, needed — to know she was out there, suffering. Raising her child alone, without a penny. That would've been my only satisfaction in this mess. Instead? I had nothing but fucking silence!

The real issue wasn't even that she'd left after ruining everything — that was a blessing, I'd wanted her gone.

What gnawed me most was her complete disappearance. As if she'd never existed, and that pissed me off more than I could express.

I glanced at the papers on my desk — contracts and reports that once demanded my full attention. Now, they were just a blur. My focus had been shot for weeks.

I rubbed my temples, feeling another headache coming on. It was the same everyday — I went through the motions, pretending to function, but the man I used to be was gone. The job got done, but the passion? She'd taken that with her.

I tried day in and day out to lay any thoughts of her to rest, they were toxic as fuck, but I couldn't let it go. It felt like I couldn't be happy if there was a slight possibility that she could be as well. I needed to know she was hurting like she'd hurt me.

It was even more crazy how she was still fucking me up long after I'd gotten rid of her filth. Her absence was like a ghost haunting me.

My phone rang, the sound pulling me from my bitter thoughts. Silas. My private investigator. I'd spent a fortune on him over the past three years, trying to track her down, but each time he called, the results were the same.

I picked up the phone, already knowing what he'd say but bracing myself anyway. "Tell me you have something," I said, skipping the pleasantries. There was a pause, and his hesitation spoke volumes. Damn it.

"Nothing. I'm sorry. It's odd… almost like she's dropped off the face of the earth."

I bit back my frustration. "Then you won't mind joining her, would you?"

I knew I was out of line, but I was desperate.

Silas sighed, already accustomed to my outbursts. "I'm sorry, Alex. I've checked every lead. She's gone. No trace of her or the child. It's like they vanished off—"

"—the face of the earth?" I snapped, slamming my fist on the desk. How infuriating. The sharp pain momentarily distracted me from my rage. "If you mention that nonsense to me one more time, Silas, I swear…"

"I'm telling you, man, I've checked every record — her tracks are covered so well. Maybe she had help. Look, I'll keep digging, but you might want to start considering other options… getting another woman pregnant so—"

"Don't…" I warned, my jaw tightening. I closed my eyes— my grip on the phone almost crushing— breathing through the storm in my chest. "I don't know you to be this incompetent. How hard can it be to find an orphaned woman and a child?" I seethed. "There's something— find it! I don't fucking pay you to tell me what to do. Do your job! I don't care what it takes. Just find her!" I hung up before he could respond. Anger surged, filling the hollow space where my heart used to be.

How was it possible that in five years, I hadn't found a trace of her? It felt like she'd wiped herself off the map, and I hated that she'd had the last word like that. Whereas, I had been left with nothing but a hollow ache in my chest and a son in a hospital bed, slipping away with each second.

It wasn't supposed to be this way. She should be out there, struggling — God knows she deserved it. And me? I deserved the satisfaction of watching it all, knowing she was paying for destroying our family. Instead, I was stuck in limbo, with my son dying and no sign of the one person who could help him. I hated that such power lay in her hands once again.

Liam needed a sibling— a donor. And only she could provide that. My hands clenched into fists. I didn't want to father another child just to save one. How would I look at them? Tell them they'd been born just because—

Fuck!

I shoved the papers off my desk, sending them flying. None of it mattered. Work didn't matter. Only Liam did.

I decided to leave for the hospital.

I called my assistant in, barely glancing at her as I instructed, "Cancel the rest of my appointments." There was no point in staying. I wasn't going to accomplish anything in this state.

She nodded and left the room quietly. At least someone around here knew when to keep their mouth shut.

I headed straight to the hospital, the familiar smell of antiseptic hitting me as soon as I stepped inside. It made me sick. I'd spent so much time here— three years.

As I approached the corridor leading to Liam's room, I could already hear raised voices— My mother and fiancee, Eliza were arguing again.

"I am not going to spend my productive days babysitting a comatose child Vivian! I am not his mother! I've said this a hundred times, if you want me to step into that position, you know what to tell your son to do—" Eliza's shrill voice grated on my nerves. God, I was sick of hearing her talk.

My mother, ever the pillar of righteousness, snapped back. "You knew what you were getting into when you got engaged to Alexander! However you act towards Liam now is testament to how you will act when—."

My jaw hardened as I walked past them, not bothering to mask my irritation but definitely not in the mood to get in the middle of their spat.

"You can't keep ignoring this, Alex!" Eliza yelled after me, turning away from my mother as she saw me walk past. "We've been engaged for three years! Do you really think waiting for Liam to get better is going to change anything!"

I stopped for a moment, then turned to look at her. My jaw working, my eyes piercing into her. She seemed to get the message and her comportment changed from challenging to pleading.

"Alex, please—"

"Alexander, to you." I snapped. I didn't care what she thought she was to me, only important people to me got to shorten my name like that. It irritated me when she did—and it reminded me too much of the only other woman who'd dared to do so and how much of a phony she turned out to be in the end.

"Your mother keeps pressuring me to step into the role of a mother when we're not even married yet. Liam isn't my responsibility, Alexander. He's yours, he'll only become mine when—"

"Then leave!" I barked. How dare she?

Her eyes widened, "Y-you don't mean that."

I almost laughed. She had no idea.

"I'm sure you know I do," I said, my tone devoid of any warmth. "Yet here you are, still engaged to me. No one's forcing you to be, Eliza."

Her eyes flared, fury rising in her. "You think this is easy for me? You've strung me along for three years. We should've been married by now, but instead, we're stuck in this… this limbo!"

I shrugged. "Liam got sick."

It was my go to response every time she brought this up. I knew how it infuriated her. I derived some pleasure in it.

"You know you're just using him as an excuse to avoid the wedding," she snapped.

"Mind your words," I said coldly. "Like I said, If that's how you feel, perhaps it's time you get out. You're not obligated to stay." The words were sharp, intended to cut.

I didn't love her. Hell, I never had. Eliza was convenient; beautiful, wealthy in her own right, and willing to play the devoted fiancée. But love wasn't in the equation.

She scoffed, turning away, arms tightening around herself in self comfort. "I'm not going anywhere, Alexander. But you can't keep avoiding this."

I didn't respond— there was no point. I wasn't avoiding anything. In truth, I didn't give a damn about the wedding. Liam was all that mattered.

I pushed past them wordlessly, stepping into Liam's room where the doctor stood beside his bed. My son looked so small, so fragile—it killed me to see him like this, hooked up to machines, barely clinging to life.

"How is he?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.

The doctor sighed, flipping through the chart. "His condition is worsening, Mr. Sullivan. We need to think about the next step. Without a compatible donor… Well, the prognosis isn't good."

I clenched my fists, trying to keep my composure. "What about the fetal donor option?"

"It's still the best chance we have without his mother present. She would have been his savior. If you decide to go down that route, we can begin preparations."

I glanced at Liam's pale face, the machines beeping rhythmically, and my chest tightened. I wasn't sure how I felt about bringing another child into the world under these circumstances. But if it meant saving Liam... considering I couldn't find his whore of a mother.

I nodded— my decision made. "We'll move forward."

As I left the room, my resolve hardened.

"Mother, Eliza," I addressed them, expressionless, "You may move forward with wedding preparations. I'm ready."

Eliza would get what she wanted—a wedding, a child. But for me? It was all for Liam. I would do whatever it took to save my son, even if it meant marrying a woman I didn't love.

Chapter 3

ALEXANDER

Watching Eliza practically bursting with joy made me sick. Her being over the moon— like this wedding was a dream come true, was something I'd expected, but it was still annoying to behold. I didn't want this marriage—not now, not ever—but she was too blind to see that, of course. She never did. To her, this was the beginning of some grand fairytale. But to me, it was a burden.

A charade.

I wouldn't be marrying out of love, but because it was expected.

If I wanted to get her pregnant without a ring, I knew she'd agree without hesitation. But the blowback… the whispers in society, the looks from people I cared about— even those I despised at times— would be enough to corner me into marrying her anyway. My reputation was worth more.

As much as I didn't care about her or the wedding, my name mattered. So I'd do what I had to, even if it meant chaining myself to a… woman such as Eliza.

My phone buzzed, and I inwardly sighed in relief. A call. Finally, an escape from the room filled with too wide smiles and Eliza's empty chatter.

"Excuse me," I muttered, barely glancing at either of the women as I left them to the excited conversation they were having— after practically clawing at each other's throats a few minutes ago.

It was my assistant on the other end, reminding me of the Golden Ball Charity event I was to attend that night. Shit. I had completely forgotten.

"Right, thanks. I'll be there."

Returning back to the women I announced curtly, "I hope you didn't forget we have the Golden Ball charity event this evening. I think it's time we left to start preparing." I didn't wait for their reactions, already moving to the door and then out to my car.

Eliza, of course, squealed with excitement— probably already imagining herself announcing to everyone there that we had fixed a date for the wedding— and the shrill sound followed me outside. I shook my head.

The drive home was quiet, for the most part. Eliza, thankfully, stayed glued to her phone, likely ordering another overpriced gown she didn't need.

Vanessa was grinning like a Cheshire cat when we arrived.

"Excited for the ball?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. I hadn't seen her this animated in months.

"Oh, very," she said, winking. "I might meet my future husband tonight. You know, Alexander, this event is for elites, the one percent. The kind of place paupers and wannabes— like Raina— would never dream of attending." She spat my ex-wife's name with such venom it actually startled me.

Raina.

I clenched my jaw but said nothing, a familiar irritation creeping into my chest. No matter how hard I tried to push her out of my mind, she always found a way to worm her way back in. My family— they all hated her. Despised her. She had become the villain of my family's soap opera, and they loved to remind me at every turn.

The thing was, I didn't give a damn about Raina as my wife anymore. The divorce made that clear. But I was tired of hearing their slander, of watching them twist the knife, over and over again. She was still Liam's mother, and despite everything, I was the one who had been left with unanswered questions.

What had happened to her? Where the hell did she go after the divorce? Was she alive? Was she suffering, struggling like she deserved to be? And the child… the one she had run off with. What was her name? Was she still sick? Did she still… look like her mother?

I sighed inwardly.

But then, I'd never stood up for Raina back then— there was no point doing so now.

When we got home, Eliza trailed behind me into the room, prattling on about how excited she was for tonight. She hadn't worn her engagement ring in weeks, a silent protest against my coldness, but tonight, she'd be flaunting it like a prize, as if the glittering diamond could fix everything wrong between us.

I sighed, tuning her out— only half listening. I just wanted some peace. That was the one thing I had taken for granted in my marriage with Raina— she knew when to leave me be when silence was necessary. Eliza, on the other hand, didn't have a clue when to shut up and seemed incapable of understanding just that.

Shaking my head, I forced thoughts of Raina away. I couldn't afford to let her ghost haunt me this evening— not when I had more important things to think about. Namely, securing the Graham family— New York's most influential elites— as business partners, and tonight, they would finally be in attendance.

For years, I had tried to penetrate their inner circle or gain their favor, to close a deal that would elevate my standing, but each time I thought I was close to garnering their attention, something always got in the way. Canceled meetings, vague excuses… but tonight, I felt different. I was almost certain they'd take notice of me. The Vince Project… It was my golden ticket. I hadn't sacrificed it for nothing, and tonight was the night it would all pay off.

I could feel it.

~~~~

The Golden Ball was everything I knew it would be— and everything the women in my life had dreamed it would be— luxurious, dazzling, filled with the who's who of high society. And to my chagrin, Eliza clung to me like I was some trophy, her manicured nails digging into my arm, posing for pictures as if we were already on the front cover of a glossy magazine.

Her laugh was too loud, too rehearsed, and the media swarmed up, taking pictures of New York's most glamorous couple. Every photo the media took made her grin wider. It irritated me. Everything about this charade irritated me. But I kept up appearances, nodding and smiling in all the right places.

Then came the whispers— the Graham's had arrived. They began quietly at first but soon increased as the anticipation of the powerful family's entrance rippled through the crowd.

I could feel my heart pounding as the announcement echoed through the hall that the Grahams would be present in a matter of minutes.

This was it. My chance to finally break through, to secure the deal I'd spent years chasing.

Suddenly, a hush fell, and then real excitement buzzed through the room.

The Grahams had arrived.

Vanessa and my mother were instantly by my side, whispering with barely contained glee. "Did you hear?" Vanessa gushed, eyes sparkling with excitement. "The Grahams' long lost daughter has been found, Alexander! She might even be here tonight!" Sure, that had been what she was excited about. Not the prospect of bagging one of New York's most eligible bachelors. I felt the urge to roll my eyes. She'd probably realized that having her eyes on Dominic was a lost cause. I hadn't wanted to be the one to tell her she was being delusional and I was glad she'd come to her senses.

I nodded absently through their chatter, barely registering their words; my mind was racing, too focused on the thought of meeting Dominic Graham and making the right impression tonight. If I could do just that, my reputation was set for life. For that reason, I couldn't afford to let anything—or anyone—distract me.

The Grahams were untouchable.

If this mysterious daughter was here, it could change everything. Vanessa was already fantasizing about befriending her, and I had to admit, any connection to the Grahams would cement our family's status permanently.

But then the whispers around us grew louder, and I turned to see Dominic Graham— heir to the empire— walking into the room, the epitome of power and control. But it wasn't him that made my heart stop. It was the woman on his arm.

The woman Dominic Graham had entered hand in hand with…

Raina…

No way…

She looked… different. Better than she ever did with me, I must say, and the sight of that nearly had me winded.

My ex-wife.

The woman I had been searching for— no, desperately trying to track down for years.

Vanessa's shriek pierced through the air. "What the hell is she doing here? With Dominic Graham, of all people! I can't believe she hasn't quit her whoring around!"

Her voice continued in an angry tirade, calling Raina every foul name she could think of—a slut, a social climber—but I didn't hear any of it. Her voice faded to background noise as I stared at Raina, my pulse roaring in my ears.

She hadn't just vanished into thin air, she had resurfaced here— with the Grahams. And not just anyone from the family, but Dominic, the crown prince of high society himself.

How long had she been with him? What was she doing, cozying up to the Grahams after disappearing like a ghost?

Standing beside Dominic like she belonged there?

Questions swirled in my mind, none of them making sense. Raina was in a place she didn't belong, with people I'd only dreamt of associating with.

The anger simmered, burning slowly and steadily in my chest. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. I had spent years imagining her suffering, broken, raising that child alone and struggling like she deserved. But instead, here she was— draped in a luxury gown and attached to the arm of the most powerful man in the country.

So fucking beautiful, it hurt my eyes to see.

And I hated her for it.

Chapter 4

RAINA

I was finally ready for the world to see me. Or at least, that's what I kept telling myself as I sat in the backseat of my brother's car, anxiety twisting in my gut like a feral animal, gnawing at my resolve.

"Hey," Dominic said, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. His grip was firm and steady, a lifeline in the storm of emotions crashing inside me. "Everything is going to be fine."

But would it? The question echoed in my mind, drowning out the soft music playing in the background. I should have felt confident, but the truth was, fear clawed at my insides like a hungry beast, ready to devour me whole.

I had prepared for weeks for this moment, telling myself I was ready to face my past, ready to confront my ex-in-laws. But standing on the precipice of that reality made me doubt everything I had convinced myself of.

And then there was the thought of my son. That part hurt the most. I wondered how Liam was doing, whether he missed me or if he had learned to hate me for leaving. What if they had poisoned his mind against me? The very idea twisted the knife deeper in my heart. I had envisioned all the ways I could explain to him that I never wanted to leave—that circumstances had forced my hand.

As the car came to a halt, I gripped my purse tightly, taking a deep breath. It was too late to back out now. I had made my choice, and I had to see it through.

Stepping out of the car, the flash of cameras momentarily blinded me. Reporters shouted questions at Dominic, but I was just a shadow beside him, someone meant to stay in the background until the right moment. I had told him to keep my identity a secret until I was ready—until I had found Liam first.

Dominic smiled, but it was like a mask he wore for the world. He didn't answer their questions, and together we walked into the grand hall. The air was thick with anticipation and whispers, and as we stepped inside, the room fell silent. I could almost hear their thoughts, the judgment hanging heavy in the air. Gold digger. Social climber. An outsider trying to infiltrate their world.

A chill ran down my spine as I sensed the hostility from the corner where my ex-in-laws lurked, their glares piercing through me like daggers.

"Are you okay?" Dominic asked, concern etching his features as he leaned slightly closer.

I nodded, forcing a smile, though my heart raced. Would it ever get easier?

Just then, people began to approach Dominic, the respect and fear evident in their eyes. I knew he wasn't just here for me—he was here to choose his business partners, a ritual he performed with impeccable poise.

I excused myself, needing a moment to breathe. The weight of their stares felt suffocating. I made my way to the bar, the glint of glass offering a momentary reprieve. But before I could wrap my fingers around a glass, a sharp voice sliced through the air.

"Raina!"

I turned to see Vanessa striding toward me, her expression twisted with contempt. Without a moment's hesitation, she snatched the wine glass from my hand and splashed its contents across my cream-colored dress, the cold liquid seeping through the fabric. Gasps erupted around us, a chorus of shock and excitement.

"Look at you, trying to seduce a man like Dominic, still the same, aren't you, Raina?" she sneered, her voice dripping with venom. "I guess your whoring ways never stopped. Good thing my brother separated himself from you."

The humiliation burned my cheeks, but inside, I felt a surge of defiance.

I had never been the woman she wanted me to be—her punching bag, a target for her envy.

But before I could respond, she spat again, "Do you really think you belong here, mingling with people like Dominic? You're fooling no one."

I wanted to lash back, to tell her just how wrong she was. But I knew better. She wanted a reaction, wanted me to crumble, to show any sign of weakness she could use against me.

I lifted my chin, meeting her gaze with defiance. "You don't know a thing about me, Vanessa."

A cruel smile spread across her face. "Oh, I know enough. And so does Alexander."

I held my ground, the urge to walk away warring with the desire to make her regret every last word. But as I opened my mouth, another figure moved in, his cold, commanding presence freezing me to the spot.

Alexander.

He looked at me, his gaze sweeping over the stain on my dress, lingering just long enough to let me know he saw it. He had that same aloof expression, that mask of indifference that hid everything. But for a fleeting moment, something else flickered in his eyes—a shadow of something almost… concerned? But just as quickly as it appeared, it was gone, replaced by the familiar wall of disdain.

"Vanessa," he said, his tone low, edged with irritation. "Enough of this. This isn't the place for—" He stopped, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly as he looked at her, his hand gripping her arm to pull her back.

Vanessa scoffed, her sneer still fixed on me. "You don't belong here, Raina," she hissed, wrenching her arm from Alexander's grip.

I could feel the tension crackling between us, the stares from the crowd growing heavier. The anger roared in my chest, mingling with the old wounds they had left me with. I wanted to scream, to make them see what they had done, how they had torn my life apart.

But I wouldn't give them the satisfaction.

Just as I was about to turn away, Dominic appeared at my side, his eyes hardening as he took in the scene. "Who is she to say that my date doesn't belong here?" Dominic interjected, his voice steady and authoritative. The way he addressed her sent a wave of unexpected gratitude through me. "Raina has acted with more class since she arrived—unlike some people."

My heart swelled, though I fought to keep my expression neutral.

Alexander turned his gaze toward me, and I felt exposed under his scrutiny. What did he see? A broken woman? A gold digger?

Dominic stepped forward, shielding me with his presence. "Let's get you cleaned up," he said, guiding me toward the bathroom.

Once inside the bathroom, I leaned against the cold marble sink, my reflection staring back at me—a stranger cloaked in fear and defiance. What was I doing here? The weight of my decisions pressed heavily on my chest.

After a few moments, a knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. A woman entered, holding a stunning red dress. "Dominic sent me. He thought you might prefer something a bit more… vibrant."

I took the dress, running my fingers over the fabric, feeling its smoothness against my skin. "Thank you," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

After changing into the dress, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. The bold red was striking against my skin, making me feel more alive. I could do this. I could face them all, even him.

As soon as I got out of te bathroom, I glanced around the room, spotting Dominic across the hall, deep in conversation with some potential business partners. He seemed at ease, comfortable in his skin while I felt like a fraud in this vibrant dress.

The crowd was bustling around us, laughter and chatter filling the air, yet it all felt muted, like I was living in a bubble. How could everyone else be so carefree when I felt like I was drowning?

Vanessa reappeared, her presence darkening the atmosphere. "What a pathetic sight," she spat, her eyes flicking between me and Dominic who was across the room. "You really think you belong here?"

I felt a spark of anger igniting within me. I wasn't here for her, or for anyone else. I was here for my son.

"Why don't you go and find someone else to bully?" I shot back, my voice steady despite the tremor in my hands.

Her eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment, she looked almost vulnerable. But it was quickly replaced with disdain. "You'll never be one of us, Raina. You're just a passing phase."

I brushed past her, determination fueling my steps. I wouldn't let her words define me any longer.

In the corner of the room, a small group was gathered around an artist displaying breathtaking paintings. I found solace in their enthusiasm, allowing myself a brief escape from the reality of my situation.

But the moment was short-lived. I turned and found Alexander watching me from a distance, the coldness of his gaze unwavering. I felt my heart race again, caught between the urge to confront him and the instinct to run.

He stepped closer to me, his gaze cold and piercing. I could feel my defenses rising, every instinct telling me to guard myself, to stand tall.

The look on his face told me everything I needed to know—I was not ready to have a conversation with him. The room seemed to shrink around us, the air thickening with unspoken words.

Why did he have to be here? Memories of our time together flooded my mind—happiness intertwined with betrayal, love shadowed by loss. He had taken my son from me, and now he stood there, a ghost from a life I had tried to leave behind.

I wanted to flee, to escape the weight of his gaze that felt like chains binding me to my past. I took a step back, but he remained still, an immovable force. My heart stopped, a mixture of anger and dread twisting inside me.

"So," he said, his voice laced with disdain, "is this your new game? Parading yourself in front of everyone, pretending to be something you're not?"

Chapter 5

RAINA

I couldn't believe the nerve—the audacity he had to corner me like this. The moment I saw Alexander's cold, piercing gaze, I knew nothing good could come from whatever words he had ready for me. I tried to slip away unnoticed, to avoid this exact situation, but his grip on my arm was unyielding, almost painful.

I clenched my jaw, meeting his gaze with defiance. "What I do is none of your business, Alexander."

He scoffed, his eyes narrowing. "Oh, but it is. Everything you do seems to be about flaunting yourself, doesn't it?"

The sting of his words was sharper than I'd anticipated, but I refused to let him see it. "And here I thought you'd moved on," I replied, keeping my tone steady. "Or is that just what you want people to believe?"

For a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of something else in his expression, something like hurt. But it vanished just as quickly, replaced by a hardened mask.

"Don't mistake my tolerance for forgiveness," he said, his tone biting. "I haven't forgotten what you did."

I scoffed.

"Where the hell have you been hiding?" His voice was low and icy. The sneer on his face only made it worse, as if he were talking to something filthy on the bottom of his shoe. I almost laughed—almost. He was here, the man who once vowed to protect me, now treating me like a stranger or worse, an enemy.

My pulse quickened, and I felt a rush of defiance surge through me. Don't let him get to you, Raina. I steadied myself, pulling my arm back, but his grip tightened.

"You're still here? Still...doing this?" he sneered. His gaze flicked over me like I was something cheap, something worthless. "Whoring your way up to the top—sleeping with the right men. Is that the kind of example you want to set for Ava?"

The shock of it—the brutal, effortless way he lashed out. For a moment, I couldn't breathe. The idea that this was the man who was once everything to me, who had once whispered words of love in my ear, felt like a cruel joke.

"Let me go," I whispered, barely able to contain the sharp anger simmering underneath. "I don't have time for whatever it is you're trying to accomplish here, Alexander."

But his expression didn't change, and the coldness in his eyes deepened. He leaned in, his breath warm against my skin, the proximity making my skin crawl.

"Maybe you've been watching me," he continued, his voice dripping with disdain. "Waiting for the right moment to ruin things for me with the Grahams."

His accusation stung. And yet, a dark sense of satisfaction bubbled under my anger—he wasn't completely wrong. I had watched him over the years, watched and waited for the moment when I'd finally get my say, my piece of retribution. But this, his wild assumptions, the smug righteousness on his face...he couldn't be more wrong.

"Get over yourself," I spat back, twisting my arm free, though the spot where he'd held me throbbed. "You're not even close to being worth that much of my time."

I turned, my heart racing, hoping to escape his hateful stare, but then I heard her.

"Oh, isn't this perfect?" Eliza's voice, sharp and loud, sliced through the moment. I turned to see her flanked by Vanessa and his mother, all three of them staring daggers. It was as though they'd been waiting just outside, biding their time. She glared at me, jealousy and disgust written across her face.

"Eliza, not now," Alexander muttered, though his grip still lingered on my arm, barely loosened, like he was reluctant to let go even with his precious wife glaring in our direction.

"Get your filthy hands off of him," Eliza snapped, stepping forward and pulling at my shoulder as if I were some cheap prop that didn't belong in the scene.

I wanted to laugh. Alexander had been the one holding onto me, yet here she was, blinded by possessiveness. "Maybe you should learn who you're talking to before you start with the accusations," I retorted, feeling my heart rate steady, my composure returning as I slipped my arm free from Alexander's grip at last.

Alexander finally looked away, annoyed, as though the entire exchange were beneath him.

His mother, always cold and unflinching, only offered me a sharp, appraising look. Vanessa, predictably, sneered.

"Alexander, dear," Vanessa cooed, that same sickly-sweet tone she'd used even before, back when I was his wife and she hated it. "Surely you don't mean to entertain...her here."

I could practically feel the disgust dripping from her words, the venom hiding just under the surface.

But Alexander only gave her a hard look, dismissing her concern. "This isn't what I wanted to discuss," he snapped.

In the confusion, I managed to take a step back, inching toward the door, desperate to escape before I could hear another word from him or any of them.

"Raina!"

Dominic's voice—calm, familiar. I turned to see him standing just a few feet away, watching the unfolding scene with a cool, guarded expression. Relief flooded me, and I walked over to him, away from the chaos and the hurtful eyes fixed on me.

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."

The last of Alexander's words still echoed through my mind as I left the room, my hand 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 where voices overlapped and glasses clinked under the chandeliers' soft glow. Guests mingled in fine suits and dresses, enjoying the evening with effortless grace. 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.

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. But I could see the effort it took—Alexander was not a man accustomed to being second to anyone, and his pride made him wear a cool, almost rigid mask.

"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.

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 said, voice 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.

Dominic turned toward me with a grin, one I knew all too well. He was enjoying this far more than he should, making it abundantly clear that any future dealings between us would need my approval. He leaned closer, his voice warm and slightly teasing. "What do you say, Raina? Should I hear him out?"

I could feel Alexander's gaze burning into me, waiting to see what I would say. This moment felt surreal, the tables turned in a way I never imagined possible. I took a breath, allowing myself to meet Alexander's eyes, and held his stare without flinching. There was no bitterness in my voice, only a quiet confidence.

"Does he know what my answer will be?" I asked, directing the question more toward Dominic than Alexander, but the pointed look I gave Alexander made my meaning clear.

Alexander's expression remained stony, but I could see his frustration—a momentary flash of doubt, his gaze flickering between us, piecing together something he hadn't anticipated. He masked his reaction quickly, replacing it with that familiar, indifferent coldness, but it was enough to tell me that I'd unsettled him.

For the first time in years, the power between us was balanced, and I didn't plan on letting it tip back in his favor.

Chapter 6

ALEXANDER

I stood there, arms folded an d jaw set, bracing myself for what I knew was coming. I was certain of her answer, and I couldn't deny that I'd half-hoped for it. She was going to say no. She had every reason to turn me down and refuse any connection between us, especially after the mess my family had made of the evening. I'd let them speak freely, act dismissively—even allowed Vanessa to put her hands on her. It was ugly, but somehow, I'd thought it justified, even deserved.

If I'd known tonight would end with Raina Graham holding my future between her fingers, I'd have planned differently. I'd have orchestrated every move, ensured my family behaved long enough to tolerate her presence if it meant securing her cooperation. But none of that mattered now. Her answer would be a firm, simple no. The way it should be. The way it had to be.

And yet—when she spoke, my certainty shattered.

She agreed. Just like that, she agreed, as though it meant nothing to her, as if she had nothing at stake in it at all. My chest tightened, a strange, uncomfortable feeling settling over me. What was her angle? This wasn't the Raina I'd expected to face tonight. She was plotting something, I knew it. This had to be some new scheme, a way to pull me in and ruin me when I was at my most vulnerable.

But I kept my face impassive, swallowing back any reaction as the wheels turned in my mind. I couldn't allow myself to get distracted by her games. For now, all that mattered was the deal. I'd sort out her motives later, pick apart whatever trap she was laying for me after I'd secured what I needed. Until then, I would play along.

Dominic's gaze was cold as he watched me, a silent challenge behind his stare. He didn't seem convinced by my agreement either. I could see the subtle tension in the way he held Raina's arm, almost protectively, as if to shield her from any further confrontation. The way he looked at her—it was protective, possessive even. I clenched my fists at my sides, forcing my mind not to stray to the thoughts simmering just below the surface. It was beneath me to dwell on the past, to let old betrayals resurface.

Without warning, he pulled her to the side, his grip firm on her arm. They spoke in low, urgent tones, their words too hushed for me to catch, but I didn't need to hear. The way he leaned close, the way she looked back at him—it all told me enough. I'd seen that look on his face before, that fierce, unwavering need to protect. And her? She looked so at ease with him, almost as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Fine. They could play this game all they wanted. I knew her well enough to recognize when she was scheming. The years apart hadn't erased the woman she'd been when we were married, nor had it changed the way I knew her down to her core. She was ruthless, resourceful, and if I had learned one thing in our years together, it was that Raina would stop at nothing to get what she wanted. Maybe that was the reason I'd been so drawn to her, once upon a time. But tonight, it only served as a reminder that she was not to be trusted.

When they returned, she spoke with that same detached calmness, a tone that nearly made me forget everything that had happened between us. Almost. "Working together is no problem for me, Alexander…as long as I don't have to deal with your family." Her voice was cool, unyielding. It wasn't a request. It was a condition, one that cut sharply through the tension still hanging in the air.

Relief surged through me, stronger than I anticipated, and before I could contain it, the words spilled out of me. "Deal." It was impulsive, unguarded, and I knew immediately I'd shown too much. But I needed this partnership. The success of everything I'd worked for depended on it. And for once, just this once, I couldn't let my pride get in the way.

"When can we set up a meeting?" I said, my gaze fixed on her, hoping—damn it, almost hoping she'd soften. She'd let something slip, something that would make this arrangement less of a calculated transaction and more of an actual alliance. I knew it was foolish, that wanting anything from her would only lead to disappointment, but here I was, hoping anyway.

Before she could answer, Dominic stepped in, his voice slicing through the fragile silence. "What's the rush, Alexander? We'll need to review everything on our end first." His gaze hardened, challenging, as if daring me to disagree.

"And actually," he continued, "I've decided on one condition." He gave a small, almost smug smile, savoring every word as he turned to look at Raina. "For us to move forward, Raina will have to oversee the project."

I felt the anger rise, slow and sharp, filling every inch of me. My jaw clenched, a muscle ticking as I forced myself to remain still. This was absurd. Ridiculous. Did they honestly think I'd agree to something so unreasonable? Raina wasn't capable of handling something of this scale. She had no experience, no training. Hell, she didn't even know how to balance a checkbook, much less a multi-million-dollar deal. The only thing she'd ever mastered was her charm, the art of seduction. And it had worked—once.

I struggled to keep my tone neutral as I responded, my voice low and even. "That won't work." I let the disdain seep into my words. "When I was married to her," I continued, my eyes locked on Raina, "she was nothing more than a housewife. For a project like this, you're going to need someone with real experience, someone who understands the complexities—"

Dominic cut me off with a scoff. "Didn't you divorce years ago?" he said, his tone mocking, condescending. "And who's to say she hasn't learned something since then?" He leaned forward, voice dropping to a murmur. "You assume she can't handle it. But that's your problem, isn't it?"

His smile was calculated, a silent message that he knew he had me cornered, that he was enjoying every second of watching me squirm. I felt the walls closing in, the opportunity slipping away even as I stood there, clenching my fists so hard my knuckles went white. But I couldn't walk away. Not now. Not when I was this close.

Raina's face was impassive, giving away nothing as she watched me, her silence as damning as her words had been. She didn't care what this meant for me, didn't care that I was practically being forced into a corner, with no option but to accept her as my equal—no, as my superior—in this partnership. She was relishing every second of it, and I hated her for it. Hated the way she could stand there so calmly, knowing full well that she'd backed me into a position I couldn't refuse.

Dominic's voice cut through the silence again, his tone almost taunting. "Well, Alexander?" he asked, feigning innocence, a cruel glint in his eyes. "Do you agree?"

I didn't answer right away. For the first time in a long time, I could feel myself hesitating, the weight of this decision pressing down on me, suffocating. Every instinct screamed at me to walk away, to take back control and refuse to let her have this kind of hold over me again. But I couldn't. I'd worked too hard to let this opportunity slip.

Slowly, begrudgingly, I nodded. "Fine," I said, the word burning on my tongue. It felt like defeat, like I was handing over some part of myself I'd fought so long to protect. But I had no other choice.

---

The next day came far too soon. I could hardly sleep, replaying the events in my mind, trying to make sense of why she'd agreed, of what her motives could possibly be. And now, as I sat across from her, the documents laid out in front of us, I could feel the tension thickening, a silent reminder that this was only the beginning of what I suspected would be a long, bitter battle.

Just as I reached for the pen, she lifted her hand, stopping me. I glanced up, a flash of irritation sparking in my chest, her silent audacity almost laughable. What was it now? Just when I was about to take the step she had practically forced me into, she had another demand. Of course. Because nothing with Raina could ever be simple—she would always have to have the final word.

She held my gaze, her eyes cold, unwavering. "I have one condition," she said, her voice smooth, each word deliberate.

A wave of resentment pulsed through me, rising sharply and settling like a stone in my chest. This was her way of reminding me that she had the upper hand, that every choice I made was a concession to her, another inch of power I'd lost. I clenched my jaw, fighting the urge to laugh at the irony of it. Just when I thought I could close this chapter with her, she tightened the noose, making it clear that this would never end—not with Raina.

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My body ached in ways I couldn't describe, and in places I couldn't name. My skin was sticky with perspiration and my muscles were trembling from hours in labor.

The feeling of motherhood—for however briefly I'd just come into it—was so surreal, that I could hardly believe it. Despite having nine long months to prepare my mind, nothing could have truly prepared me for the actual feeling.

'I'm a mother now,' I thought, though my heart still hurt as I lay in the hospital bed, gazing at what could possibly be my greatest fulfillment as a woman.

My newborn twins.

My heart filled with joy and pride as I watched them—my beautiful boy and girl swaddled beside me—but the feeling was almost completely eclipsed by a gnawing sense of unease—one I had become all too acquainted with over the years.

Despite the air conditioner, the sterile room still felt… stifling.

But the coldest presence loomed over me with his broad shoulders and cruelly handsome, emotionless face.

My husband.

He just stood there, regarding me as if I were something to be discarded. Maybe I was. I mean I had just delivered our babies, our future, and he couldn't even offer a smile. No words of comfort.

No, "I'm proud of you."

How I yearned to hear even just that.

I held my breath, waiting for something— anything — to break the silence, but what came next was the last thing I expected.

When he moved, it wasn't to cradle our children or to brush a tender hand against my hair. Instead, he wordlessly tossed a stack of papers onto my lap.

"Sign them." He ordered, cold and detached.

His words took a moment to register.

I blinked— my eyes still hazy from the exhaustion of pushing two little humans out of me. Sign what? I looked down at the papers, then back at him in confusion. "I'm sorry, what—"

"The divorce papers," he cut in harshly, as though it should've been obvious.

My heart dropped — my stomach twisting painfully.

What?

"Here," His voice was clipped as he tossed me a pen. His movements were so impatient; one would think all this was an inconvenience to him and not me—who'd just spent the last few hours in labor.

"What–" My breath caught in my throat as I stared at the papers again in disbelief. What was going on? I had literally just given birth to his children. He couldn't be serious.

A divorce?

"I- I don't understand, I just gave birth-" My voice cracked.

"And you're damn lucky those kids are even mine!" His tone oozed with venom. "I had the doctors run a DNA test the minute they were born," My mouth fell open. "Had the results shown otherwise… believe me when I say I'd have made you and your lover's life miserable."

I reeled back in shock — the feeling so acute, it was dizzying. He'd done what? My what? The accusation hit me like a physical blow. My brain scrambled to make sense of the words as I struggled to breathe— my pulse thundering in my ears.

"Alex, what…" I choked out. "What lover?" Did he think I'd cheated on him? After I'd spent, practically every second showing him how much he meant to me? "What are you talking about—"

"You're not fooling anyone, Raina." He spat, stepping closer. "Now, sign them."

Tears pricked my eyes.

"Is this some kind of joke?" It had to be! "I don't know what–"

"Oh, spare us the theatrics, Raina! We all know what's been going on." Vanessa, his sister, snarled from a corner of the room, stepping forward— I hadn't even noticed her. "So do us a favor and stop…fucking…pretending!"

My mind raced. This wasn't happening. No, it really couldn't be happening. Was I in a coma and living my worst nightmare?

"I'm not—" I started, but she flung a pile of photographs at me— some landing haphazardly on the bed, some fluttering to the floor.

Wincing, I pushed myself into a sitting position and reached for one with trembling hands. Seeing was difficult through the blur of tears. My breathing was labored, coming out rapid and shallow. "A- Alexander, listen-"

"Enough!" He barked furiously, before I'd even had a chance to see the glossy images. "Stop wasting my time and sign the damn papers, you whore!"

A whore? Me— his wife?

Where was this from? What was happening?

His words stung— like a needle lodging itself painfully in my chest.

Oh God, was he being serious then, about… ending this? Ending us?

Panic clawed at the insides of my throat as I began hyperventilating — my body shaking uncontrollably as the room began to spin.

I clenched the sheets, gasping for air— the heart monitor beeping erratically beside me. The warning sound of the machine competed with the sharp ringing in my ears and the voice that boomed from the doorway.

"Step back!" A man in scrubs rushed to my side, and a female nurse ushered Alexander and his sister away.

Through my tears, I searched Alexander's face for some flicker of emotion. However little.

Compassion. Concern. Love.

There was none.

All I found was the coldness in his hard features.

'Had I loved the wrong man?' The thought shattered me.

For years, I'd ignored the signs.

His family had hated me from the onset— believing I wasn't good enough for him and undeserving of their prestige.

I'd endured their insults and constant belittling. Several times, his mother had offered me money to disappear before the wedding and I'd declined — my love for him has been just that: Love. Pure and undiluted. I didn't want money.

At every juncture that they'd maligned me and I'd told Alexander, he'd just shrugged.

"That's just the way they are, Raina. They'll come around."

But they never did. And he never defended me.

Not when his sister called me a gold-digger during our engagement. Not when his father suggested he annul the marriage after our first year.

I stood by him, loving him more despite his family's contempt, their bribes, and verbal abuse, making excuses all the way for his silence.

But now, he was completely gone.

Or perhaps, he'd never been mine at all.

I'd been forcing myself on him the whole time.

It was painfully clear in that moment how he'd really never loved me. Not the way I'd loved him, anyway.

'What a fool I've been,' I thought, as the darkness claimed me.

~~~~

I woke up to the same nightmare.

The beeping of the heart monitor was slower now— more controlled. I blinked slowly, my gaze settling on Vanessa in the far corner of the room—She looked bored. And my… Alex— Alexander, standing once again at the foot of my bed. Watching. Waiting.

Vanessa, always the Viper, was the first to speak,

"Oh good, you're up," She sneered, her eyes gleaming with malice as she pushed away from the wall.

"Now, stop delaying and sign the papers. I have places to be."

My eyes stung. No… it couldn't be real. It couldn't be real. I had to be dreaming.

A tear dropped from my eye and her snarling face became clearer. Why was she even here? She was sure to make matters worse.

"Alex," I whispered, turning to him instead. "Please, can we talk alone? I… This is all a misunderstanding, I'm sure." Desperation choked my words. "Just hear me out."

"No." He glanced at his watch, dismissive. "There's no need. I know all I need to know. We'll talk when our lawyers are involved, so you can save your lies for then."

Oh God. What had happened? In the time between my labor and now… What had changed? My throat constricted as tears welled up in my eyes, my heart shattering into more pieces. "Please, Alex... You know me. You know I wouldn't do any of this. I've always loved you— only you. I've never been unfaithful."

But he didn't care. He didn't even look at me as he spoke. "Just sign the papers. We're done."

God. He wouldn't even give me an audience after everything?

"Alex…" I choked out, my lips trembling, begging him with my eyes to hear me out.

But he just stared hard at me, unflinching, heartless and immovable.

"Please don't make me repeat myself." He ground out, looking as though he was restraining himself from spitting on me.

Tears blurred my vision as I picked up the pen with hands that shook so badly, I could barely scrawl my name— but I did. What choice did I have? As I finished, I looked over at my newborn twins, finding solace in the fact that I would still have them, at least.

But then in a cruel twist of fate, his mother, whom I had not seen because she'd been right beside me, behind the machines, stepped forward and gestured to my babies,

"Take him and let's leave."

My head snapped up in alarm. What??

"Read the papers." Alexander drawled coldly. "You signed away your parental rights to my son."

My blood ran cold. "Alex, no…" I couldn't breathe. "H–he's just a baby, you can't take him away from me! You can't—!"

"He's my heir!" His jaw clenched. Then leaning forward, he continued lethally. "The girl... you can keep her. As a favor. I could take them both, but this way I won't have to worry about her becoming a slut like her mother."

I gasped, recoiling. "Alex! How can you say that about our daughter, about me!"

"Your daughter. Yours alone, from henceforth," he said flatly. "The doctor has said she's unhealthy, and may not survive long. I have no need for a liability. Especially one that might turn out to be anything like you." With that, he turned his back on me— on everything we've had together— and walked out with our son in his arms.

I screamed after him, sobbing uncontrollably, too weak to even get out of bed. "Alex! Alex please! Alex, don't take him!... Please!"

But he didn't look back.

I collapsed, clutching my baby girl to my chest as the sobs racked my body, the weight of the betrayal crushing me.

Rejected and deserted, I was alone.

Completely and utterly alone.