A Divorce He Regrets

Chapter 206:

Dominic nodded in agreement. “Take care of yourself, Raina. We’ll be fine here.”

I hugged Faith first, thanking them both before I went to get ready. Grandma and I finished packing in record time, the weight in my chest lifting with every step closer to seeing my babies.

Alex waited for us at the airport. When I saw him, his calmness quieted the nervous energy humming through me. He took care of the bags, his hand brushing against mine as he did so—a silent spark ran through me.

He drove us to the kids, and I couldn’t help but notice how heavily guarded the place was. My eyebrows furrowed as I looked at him, silently asking for an explanation.

“I’m not taking chances where the people I love are concerned,” he said simply, his voice steady and resolved.

Heat crept up my neck, and I turned my face away, trying to hide the blush spreading across my cheeks. His words echoed in my ears, and there was no way not to think of the kiss last time.

When we stepped inside the house, I barely had time to take in the surroundings before I heard the sound of little feet running toward me.

My babies. Liam reached me first, throwing his arms around my legs, and I scooped him up without a second thought. His little face buried into my neck as he whispered, “I missed you, Mommy.”

“I missed you too, baby,” I said, my voice cracking as my little girl, Ava, joined us, wrapping her tiny arms around my waist. I dropped to my haunches, pulling them both into my arms, something tightening in my chest with emotion.

It felt so damn good to be here—to hold them.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Alex helping Grandma settle in. His gaze met mine and held for a beat before he smiled at me. My heart stuttered.

Later that night, after dinner and after I’d tucked the kids in bed with stories and kisses, I went to the guest room. My body felt heavy with exhaustion, but my mind felt lighter than it had in weeks.

Just as I was closing the door, I felt a hand gently wrap over mine. I turned to find Alex standing there, his face expressionless.

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“You hugged the children,” he said softly, his voice low.

“Well, of course I did,” I replied, not realizing the seriousness in his voice.

“You missed them,” he continued, his eyes boring deeply into mine. “Did you not miss me, as well?”

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. He tilted his head to one side, a small smile playing on his lips.

“Do I not get a hug too?”

Before I could respond, he reached out and pulled me into a tight embrace. Something about his hold felt so familiar that it jolted me, and for a moment, I stiffened before finally melting into it.

“I almost lost it without you,” he said against my hair. His voice was gravelly, husky. “I was this close to ditching the kids just so I could see you one more time.”

His words wrapped around me, sinking deep into my chest. I pulled back slightly to look at him.

“It’s not like we weren’t ever going to see each other again,” I said softly.

His eyes dropped to my lips, and I felt the air between us shift. My tongue darted out instinctively, wetting my bottom lip.

He caught the movement, and his eyes went dark.

“I could kiss you right now,” he said, his voice a mix of desire and restraint.

I shifted my head slightly and let a little defiance ignite in my chest.

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