Chapter 47
she said to leave her alone,” he said, his voice low and measured but carrying a clear warning.
His eyes met mine, daring me to challenge him. For a split second considered it. My fists tightened at my sides, the urge to argue, to push back, surging through me. But I stopped myself.
I looked past him, my gaze landing on her as she walked away without a backward glance. She didn’t falter, didn’t hesitate. She was leaving, just like she had years ago.
I stood there, rooted to the spot, my chest heaving with frustration Liam waking up had felt like a sign a second chance, a lifeline. But how the hell was I supposed to fix things if she wouldnt even give me the time of day?
My hands clenched tighter as I watched them disappear through the doors. I had no intention of giving up. Not this time. Not when I knew what was at stake. I had let her walk away once, but I wasn’t about to make the same mistake again.
Back in my office, I leaned back in my chair, the polished leather creaking under my weight. I stared blankly at the stack of documents on my desk–contracts, reports, agendas–all demanding my attention. My assistant walked in, holding a clipboard and rattling off details about the next meeting. Her words faded into the background, a meaningless hum against the whirlwind in my mind.
I couldn’t focus.
Everything about the morning had thrown me off balance. The sharp sting of Raina’s words, the venom in her eyes, the way she had walked away without a trace of hesitation–it all replayed in my head like a relentless loop.
I blinked and glanced at the agenda my assistant placed in front of me. The neatly typed bullet points blurred together, and I couldn’t summon the will to care.
“Sir?” she prompted, her tone tentative, as if she could sense my distraction.
◄ skimmed the document without really seeing it, the words a jumble of jargon and numbers. My chest tightened, frustration
bubbling beneath the surface.
“Send me the minutes of the meeting,” I said abruptly, cutting her off. I didn’t have the patience for this.
She paused, her eyes widening slightly, then gave a quick nod before retreating.
I glanced at my watch, the sleek hands ticking toward noon. Lunch
Raina would be wrapping up her workday around this time, probably leaving the Graham Corporation. If I hurried, there was a chance I could catch her. A chance to–what? Apologize? Explain? Beg?
The thought unsettled me. I wasn’t the kind of man who begged. Hell, I couldn’t even remember the last time I apologized for anything. But Raina was different. She always had been.
Without another thought, I grabbed my keys and jacket, leaving the stack of untouched documents behind. I didn’t care. All that mattered was getting to her.
Luck was on my side. I saw her stepping out of the building, her presence impossible to miss even in a sea of people.
“Raina,” I called, jogging to catch up to her.
She didn’t stop.
“Raina, wait. Just lunch. That’s all I’m asking. We can talk about the kids.”
That got her attention. She froze, turning to face me with a look that could have melted steel.
‘Don’t even start with me,” she hissed. “Ava is mine. Mine. You signed an agreement giving me sole custody. As for Liam, if you want to talk about him, you’ll have to go through my lawyer.”
Her words were like a punch to the gut, but I forced a smile. “We’re adults, Raina. We don’t need lawyers to have a conversation.
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“said no,” she snapped, tuching to leave.
I reached out, grabbing her wrlet “baina, plesee
She turned so fast 1 tarely had time to react before her hand conned with my face. The sharp sting of her slap echoed in the air, but I didn’t let go
Before I could say another word, a man about my size stepped in, is posture protective.
“Respect the lady.” he said, his voice firm.
I glared at him, mamused. “Mind your own business. I’m talking to my wife.”
“Ex–wife,” Raina corrected, her tone icy.
The man turned to her, a smirk playing on his lips. “Do you need help getting out of here?”
Raina smiled–a real, genuine smile–and nodded. “I’d appreciate that.”
I stood there, frozen, as the man led her away. My hands clenched into fists at my sides, my jaw tightening with every step she took away from me.
I wasn’t giving up. Not now. Not ever.
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