A Divorce He Regrets

A

es I couldn't name. My skin was sticky with perspirati

surreal that I could hardly believe it. Despite having nine long months to p

hurt as I lay in the hospital bed, gazing at what c

wborn

rl swaddled beside me - but the feeling was almost completely eclipsed by a gn

oner, the sterile room

er me with his broad shoulders and

hus

scarded. Maybe I was. I mean, I had just delivered our babies, ou

m proud

d to hear ev

anything - to break the silence, but what

to brush a tender hand against my hair. Instead,

e ordered, col

ok a moment

g two little humans out of me. Sign what? I looked down at

cut in harshly, as though

- my stomach tw

h

were so impatient; one would think all this was an inconvenience

apers again in disbelief. What was going on? I had literal

ivo

nd, I just gave birt

octors run a DNA test the minute they were born." My mouth fell open. "Had the results sh

My what? The accusation hit me like a physical blow. My brain scrambled to mak

cheated on him? After I'd spent practically every second show

, Raina." He spat, steppin

ricked

joke?" It had to be!

essa, his sister, snarled from a corner of the room, stepping forward- I h

, it really couldn't be happening. Was I

of photographs at me- some landing haphazar

h trembling hands. Seeing was difficult through the blur of tears. My br

ad a chance to see the glossy images. "Stop wast

? Me- h

s from? What

a needle lodging itsel

erious then, about...

s I began hyperventilating - my body shaki

lexander's face for some flick

on. Conc

was

the coldness in

rong man?' The tho

I'd ignored

t, believing I wasn't good enough for

had offered me money to disappear before the wedding, and I'd declined - my l

d maligned me and I'd told A

y they are, Raina.

did. And he nev

ring our engagement. Not when his father sugge

mily's contempt, their bribes, and verbal abus

e was comp

e'd never bee

g myself on him

ent how he'd really never loved me

n,' I thought, as the

and sign the papers.

n we talk alone? I... This is all a misunderstanding, I'

need. I know all I need to know. We'll talk when our la

't do any of this. I've always loved you

ven look at me as he spoke. "Ju

lips trembling, begging him

at me, unflinching, he

e ground out, looking as though he was

barely scrawl my name- but I did. What choice did I have? As I finished, I looked over

had not seen because she'd been right beside me, behind

and let'

pped up in

awled coldly. "You signed away

dn't breathe. "H–he's just a baby, you

lly. "The girl... You can keep her. As a favor. I could take them both, but

! How can you say that abo

t survive long. I have no need for a liability. Especially one that might turn out to be anything like you." W

, too weak to even get out of bed. "Alex! Al

idn't lo

my chest as the sobs racked my body,

d deserted,

y and utt