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,” 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, Alexander appeared. My breath hitched at the sight of him. He hadn’t changed; the coldness in his eyes was just as I remembered, piercing and unreadable.

“Vanessa, this is not how you behave at an event like this,” he scolded, pulling her away.

There was a flicker of surprise in Vanessa’s eyes, a fleeting moment where she seemed unsure.

“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?

“Are you okay?” he asked, and for a moment, I was caught off guard by the concern in his tone.

I opened my mouth to respond, but the words felt heavy on my tongue. Instead, I clenched my fists, refusing to show any vulnerability. I turned away from him, not wanting to engage, needing to gather myself.

Dominic stepped forward, shielding me with his presence. “Let’s get you cleaned up,” he said, guiding me toward the bathroom. I didn’t look back; I couldn’t bear the thought of what might happen if I did.

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.

But as I stepped out of the bathroom, I found myself face to face with Alexander again. 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.

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.

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.

“Raina,” he said, his voice low, but I turned away, unwilling to engage. I couldn’t do this. Not now. Not with him.

I could feel the heaviness of his presence, the way he demanded attention without uttering another word. It was infuriating and intoxicating all at once.

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.

“Raina, wait,” Alexander called after me, but I pressed forward, ignoring him. I didn’t owe him anything.

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 Alexander. “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.

“Raina,” he called again, his voice softer this time, but I ignored him, focusing on the artwork. Each brushstroke seemed to tell a story—a story I felt I was a part of but could never fully grasp.