Chapter 39

RAINA

The ride home was unbearably quiet. My hands clenched in my lap, and my jaw ached from holding back the tears that refused to fall. I was too angry to cry. Too furious at Alex. All this time—years of agony—and I had been married to him ? To the man who shattered my life? Why would he do this? Why would he play God with my life like it was some game?

Hate wasn’t a strong enough word for what I felt.

As soon as we pulled into the driveway, I pushed the car door open and stormed toward the house. My grandparents stood by the door, balloons in hand, their faces lighting up at the sight of me.

That was when the dam finally broke.

Tears streamed down my face, and I choked back a sob as I ran past them. I would’ve made it to my room if my grandfather’s voice hadn’t stopped me.

“Where’s Liam?” he asked, his tone laced with concern.

I froze, my back to them, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Liam… Liam won’t be staying with us. Not yet.”