A Divorce He Regrets

Chapter 53:

That had been the plan all along, the agreement I’d worked out with my grandparents during those difficult years of searching for her. Once she took the reins, I could finally step back, focus on my family, and watch my son grow.

Faith looked up at us, her expression curious. “What have you two been up to?” She was exhausted, I could tell.

I gestured toward Raina, sidestepping the question. “She’s got something to tell you.”

I moved to my wife’s side, gently taking our son from her arms to give her a moment to get comfortable. Her smile warmed me as I placed the baby in his bassinet, but the knot in my stomach tightened as I turned back to Raina. She shifted awkwardly, clearly nervous.

“I, um… I have a stupid request to make,” she began, glancing between Faith and me. “I need Dominic’s help, but only if you’re okay with it.”

Faith arched an eyebrow, her interest piqued. “What kind of request? You sound like you want my husband to commit murder…”

Not a good joke, Faith. I groaned mentally.

Raina inhaled deeply, then let the words tumble out in a rush. “The SD card with the recording—it’s missing. Vanessa has it. She said she’d only give it back if Dominic… if Dom went on a date with her.”

The room fell silent, the weight of her statement hanging heavy in the air. I wanted to help her sister so badly, but a part of me wished my wife would decline.

I felt my stomach churn, my hands balling into fists at my sides. Faith looked from me to Raina, her expression unreadable. Then, to my utter shock, she broke the silence.

“Okay.”

I blinked. “Sorry, Raina… wait, what?”

Faith shrugged, though her eyes held a steely warning of some sort. “If it means getting the truth out, then fine. But,” she added, her voice firm, “you make sure that clown keeps her paws off you. Understand?”

𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 gⱯ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀⧽𝖼𝗼𝗺

I stared at her, torn between gratitude for her trust and disbelief that she was actually agreeing to this insanity.

“Faith…”

She reached out, squeezing my hand. “I trust you, Dominic. Do what needs to be done.”

I knew she had just pushed a human out of her and was supposed to look like the worst version of herself, but I swear to God, I fell in love with her a bit more. I nodded slowly, still processing her response. Raina, meanwhile, looked like she might cry from relief.

“Thank you,” Raina said earnestly, her voice trembling. “Thank you both.”

Faith leaned back against the pillows, her exhaustion evident. “Just make it quick.”

Raina nodded, already pulling out her phone. “I’ll text Vanessa. Set it up.”

Faith was discharged early the next morning, and we headed home as a family. The drive was quiet but comforting, with the baby sleeping soundly in his carrier. Faith rested her head against the window, the exhaustion of childbirth still evident on her face, but there was a soft glow about her—a peace I hadn’t seen in months.

When we pulled into the driveway, the sight of our grandparents waiting on the porch brought a rare smile to my face. They were practically bouncing with excitement, eager to meet their new great-grandson.

“Finally!” Grandpa boomed, coming down the steps to greet us. “Let me see my boy.”

Faith chuckled weakly as I lifted the carrier out of the car. “He’s all yours, Grandpa, but he’s asleep. Try not to wake him up.”

.

.noveldrama

.