A Divorce He Regrets

Chapter 77:

“Maybe not,” I replied, taking a deliberate step closer, my voice calm but persistent, “…but I’m already here. Why don’t we just head there together?” I gestured toward my car, keeping my tone light, almost playful, as if her resistance didn’t faze me.

Her lips parted, and for a split second, I thought she was going to dig her heels in, but instead, she let out a quiet huff. That small sound spoke volumes—annoyance, resignation, and maybe a hint of acceptance, all wrapped into one. Her eyes flicked to the car for a moment before she brushed past me, her shoulder just barely missing mine.

“Fine. Gosh, you’re so annoying,” she muttered, her voice clipped as she strode toward the car, her heels clicking against the pavement with a precision that matched her mood.noveldrama

“I heard that…”

“You were meant to…” she bit back, not turning to look at me.

I loved this new side of her.

I hid my smile, trailing behind her. She might have been annoyed, but she didn’t outright refuse. In my book, that was progress.

The ride was quiet, the kind of silence that buzzed with unspoken words and tension. I didn’t mind. It gave me a chance to glance at her, to take her in without being obvious. From the corner of my eye, I noticed how the dress hugged her figure perfectly, the emerald green fabric bringing out the warmth in her skin and the depth in her eyes. She looked stunning—more than stunning, actually. She looked like the woman I remembered, the one I had let slip through my fingers.

Her phone buzzed, cutting through the stillness like a knife. It rested on the console between us, the screen lighting up with a name I didn’t recognize. She glanced at it briefly but didn’t make a move to answer.

“Not going to answer that?” I asked, keeping my tone casual, though my curiosity was already piqued.

“I’ll get to it later,” she said curtly, her voice clipped.

The phone buzzed again, and this time, I caught the name: Nathan.

𝓢𝓽𝓸𝓻𝔂 𝓻𝓸𝓸𝓽: 𝓰⍶𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀﹒𝓬𝓸𝓶

Nathan.

My jaw tightened on instinct. Twice wasn’t excessive, but it was enough to make me wonder. Enough to annoy me.

I bit my tongue, forcing myself to keep my thoughts in check. This wasn’t the time to ask questions, even though my mind raced with them. Who the hell was Nathan? Why was he calling her? And why was she so quick to brush it off?

The silence in the car shifted, growing heavier with every unanswered buzz. She didn’t explain, and I didn’t press, but the tension was there, humming like an electric current between us.

By the time we pulled up to the restaurant, I was wound tight, my grip on the steering wheel a little too firm. Raina didn’t even wait for me to get her door. She stepped out of the car quickly, almost like she couldn’t stand being in the same space as me for another second.

I got out and caught up to her, my stride matching hers easily. But she kept her distance, walking just far enough behind me to make it clear that this wasn’t a date in her mind.

The manager greeted us warmly as we entered, his demeanor professional yet effusive. “Mr. Dominic, welcome. Everything is ready for you.”

I nodded, pleased that the arrangements were seamless. I’d chosen this place for a reason—privacy. The upstairs dining area was secluded, the perfect spot for a conversation that needed no prying eyes.

The waiter led us to the table, the soft lighting casting a warm glow over the room. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a view of the city skyline, glittering with lights against the night sky. It was everything I had imagined when I reserved the spot.

But Raina didn’t comment. She took her seat with quiet reluctance, her gaze fixed on the table as though she were counting down the minutes until this evening was over.

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