Dominic: A Short Story

Regretfully Yours #4

by Maya Alden

She trusted him with her heart—he turned it into intel.

Dom Delacour is a covert operative on a high-stakes assignment to expose a powerful diplomat suspected of colluding with foreign agents. After recon, he decides the quickest way in is to seduce the man’s overlooked, soft-spoken daughter, Enya Cahill.

For Dom, this is supposed to be a means to an end and nothing more. But Enya isn’t what he expected. She’s sweet, kind, and hopeful. And what starts as a cover becomes real…until Enya learns the truth.

Heartbroken and humiliated, Enya decides to raise her surprise pregnancy without the man who deceived her. Dom refuses to let her do that, not when he’s finally admitted to himself that he’s in love with her.

To win Enya back, he’ll have to burn every bridge, even the agency he serves…

Dominic is part of Regretfully Yours, an angst-filled short story series about heartbreak, redemption, and groveling heroes who fight for their happily ever after.

Tropes
💖 Secret Identity
💖 Fake Relationship (though she doesn’t know that)
💖 Surprise Pregnancy
💖 Betrayal & Grovel
💖 Novella

230 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication May 9, 2026

About the author

A top 20 Amazon Bestselling Author, Maya Alden pens angsty contemporary romances.

Reviews

[BiblioDarling · Rating 4 out of 5]

DOMINIC: A SHORT STORY (REGRETTFULLY YOURS)
MAYA ALDEN

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating System (as of 8/14/2025):
⭐: It was a struggle to read. I almost DNF
⭐⭐: This could have been so much better.
⭐⭐⭐: Good/Average
⭐⭐⭐⭐: Great book. I will probably reread it.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: I absolutely loved this book.
***********************************************************************
Triggers:
🚩Humiliation
🚩Violence
🚩Gaslighting

Tropes:
💕MF Romance
💕Part of a Series
💕Crossover (Knight Series #3: Not a Love Marriage)
💕Novella
💕Surprise Pregnancy
💕Fake Relationship
💕Secret Identity
💕Betrayal/Grovel

**********************************************************************
Spice: 🔥🔥🔥
Spice Level Rating System (as of 9/4/25)
🔥: Clean. Handholding. Kissing.
🔥🔥: Non-Descriptive/Implied on Page Sex
🔥🔥🔥: Hot-Descriptive on Page Sex
🔥🔥🔥🔥: So Hot—Do Not Read in Public
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥: Oh My-BDSM. Blood Play. Smut.
************************************************************************
Quote:
"Because I hurt a woman who loves me, and as a human being, that pains me."

Summary:
FMC is dating MMC. FMC is unaware that MMC is a NSA agent undercover and investigating her father. When all is revealed, FMC is hurt and wants nothing to do with MMC. However, she is pregnant. Eventual HEA.

Review:
I am a Maya Alden fan so I may be a bit biased, but I loved that Daisy and Forrest where in this book. I loved their story and am glad to see old friends.
This novella was such a cute and nicely written love story. You feel the FMCs pain of betrayal but also MMCs as well. He betrayed himself. You root for the MMC as he plans how to be in the FMCs life and determines what will be required of him.

I think that is what makes a great book---you get the feels. There were laughter and chuckles as well. In any event I greatly appreciated this book.

I RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS AN ARC HOWEVER MY REVIEW IS BASED ON MY OPINION OF THE BOOK ITSELF AND NOT INFLUENCED BY THE AUTHOR, ETC.

BIBLIODARLING | BOOKISH LIFE, TBRs & READING CHALLENGES GROUP (GOODREADS)
https://www.goodreads.com/group/invit...
*****************************************************************************
FOLLOW ME ON:
INSTAGRAM📢
https://www.instagram.com/bibliodarling/

SUBSTACK📢 https://open.substack.com/pub/mterron...

TIKTOK📢
https://www.tiktok.com/@bibliodarling...

WATTPAD📢
BiblioDarling (@BiblioDarling) - Wattpad

INKITT📢
https://inkitt.com/BiblioDarling

[Priscila Aramburo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. For those of you who don’t know yet, Dominic is the brother of Daisy. The FMC from Not a love marriage. I loved seeing her and Forest have cameos in this series. I loved how close daisy and dom were in her book and I loved to see it again in his story. Also the mention of River and Sunny. 😆 loved! Dom was amazing. Man messed up but from the minute we got his pov we knew the man was down bad. I mean one of the first things he did was call her his woman in his head, even though he knew there was a chance she wouldn’t forgive him he still knew he was committed to her and only her. I loved how protective he got the minute he found out about the baby. It was hilarious and sweet all at once. Now let’s talk about our amazing Enya. I loved her. She was kind, beautiful, strong, elegant, poise, and has a heart of freaking gold. I hated to see how she was treated by those she cared about, they all used her and I understood why she kept her distance from dom after he started begging on his knees to get her back. To her he had just joined the group of people who only used her to get something. She didn’t just take him back, she made sure she could first trust him. And we know it was hard for her because she loved him, and the man wasn’t hiding how he felt about her. I loved the scene with the teen buying flowers for his mom and how she helped him out even though he didn’t have enough for it, she is incredibly kind. I loved her friendship with Cass, how she immediately gave herself the title of crazy aunt the minute they saw the test. She finally got the family she deserved, dom’s family with th addition of Cass gave her th love she had always been wanting. I cannot wait to read the next book in thi series. Maya continues to write yet another amazing read.

[Tania Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun read, a wonderful addition to the 'Regretfully Yours' series.

Dominic (Nick), at first pretends to be in a relationship with Enya, to gather intel on Enya's fathers activities, but instead he actually catches the real feels for Enya.

The story starts with Enya finding out through her sister, who incidentally has a superiority complex over Enya, that she had been suckered into believing Nick actually wanted and was in a relationship with her, but instead was an undercover agent gathering intel on their father.

Enya is taken in for questioning as part of the investigation and learns that the Nick she thought she knew was not who he presented as. Through this questioning we learn that Enya is a strong willed woman, not to be taken lightly.

Dominic soon realises that he actually does love Enya, decides to quit his undercover role and enter society as a normal person, willing to do what he needs to get back with Enya. This decision gains the roth of his undercover partner, whom he at times has had a prior sexual relationship with, and she appears throughout the story as the scorned OW.

Enya, her trust in Dominic destroyed, does not make it easy for him to fall back into her good graces. There is the surprise pregnancy, which leads to Enya standing up to her domineering father and sister, cameo appearances from characters in the 3 early novellas in this series, significant growth and grovel from Dominic, all leading to a thoroughly enjoyable read.

This is a series of Ms Alden's I highly recommend to readers, and is one series I will definitely enjoy a reread of.

[Meggi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Maya Alden’s Regretfully Yours series! There has yet to be a bad book in the bunch, in fact they are some of my favorites. I’ve loved all of them, but Dominic might be my favorite! I completely forgot that Daisy’s brother was into some kind of covert government business! I loved seeing more of Daisy and Forrest too!

I love that it just jumps right into the action! The betrayal is up front and from the beginning. Enya’s hurt is palpable and her family is truly horrible. I could not stand her sister and her father wasn’t any better! Maggie seemed to enjoy cutting her down and she was just a pawn to her father. He just looked for ways that she could benefit his career. I was glad that she had her grandmother Lucille growing up to help nurture her, because the rest were monsters.

I loved her friend Cass! She was supportive and brought fun and happiness to her life. Daisy and Forrest also end up supports for her and I love how she makes “Nick” work to earn her forgiveness. He was at the disadvantage of having to start from the beginning with her. He knew her, because she was always honest and she had no idea who he actually was. He was essentially a stranger to her and had to start all over. I loved that!

Kiera was a fun and irrelevant OW. She was never a threat. Dominic had no feelings for her whatsoever and I was more than happy with that. I don’t always need a lot of drama from an OW when there is so much drama surrounding them already. I loved him realizing he was just done and ready for a real life and a real family away from all the intrigue and lies that came with his old job. I loved that he was just all in with Enya!

Excellent book! I really love the Regretfully Yours series and the short, but action and drama packed nature of all of the books, even if Dominic is my favorite! I can’t wait for Evan now and the rest of the alphabet of men to come! Might I suggest a possible Agent Ruiz book? I kind of loved him too! Maya Alden never disappoints! I love her books! 💜

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ He was a complete jerk… and you’ll still fall for him

Dominic (Regretfully Yours) by Maya Alden is short, sharp, and absolutely packed with angst.

Dom Delacour absolutely earns the title of jerk in the beginning. Seducing Enya as part of a covert assignment? Using her to get to her father? It’s calculated and cold—and when she finds out, the heartbreak is brutal. You truly hate how deeply he hurts her.

And yet… you still end up loving him. Because once his feelings turn real, they turn all the way real. The regret, the panic when he realizes she’s pregnant and walking away, the willingness to burn every bridge—including his agency—just to prove she matters more? That’s the kind of grovel that redeems a man.

Enya is soft but strong. Watching her choose dignity and her baby over a man who betrayed her trust is powerful. She doesn’t crumble. She steps away. And he has to earn every inch back.

I loved friend/neighbor Cass—steady, supportive, exactly the kind of presence Enya needed. And Nick’s sister Daisy? Adored her. Seeing her and Forest—who had their own drama in a previous book—show up solid and united to support Enya and Nick added such depth to the family dynamic. Their hard-won stability made Enya’s journey feel even more supported and hopeful.

This story delivers maximum emotional impact: betrayal that cuts deep, a hero who truly suffers for his mistakes, and a redemption arc that feels earned. Messy. Angsty. Completely addictive. 💔🔥

[emm · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this novella we see Dominic, or Nick, Seducing Enya as part of a covert assignment? Using her to get to her father and when it all comes out, she is devastated and heartbroken. She forgives him but will never forget what he did.
Fast forward a few weeks later and Dom is hating how he used Enya and how he hurt her only to realise he is in love with her. In the meantime, Enya has just found out she is pregnant and has decided to raise her child on her own because even if she wanted to tell Nick how would she be able to find him.
Dominic decides to quit the agency and go get his woman back. He knows it’s going to be hard, but he knows what he wants and that’s Enya.
I loved that we finally got to have Dominics story and it was fantastic. Nice to see Daisy and Forrest reappear in this book.
Dominic is an angst-filled short story series about heartbreak, redemption, and groveling! A hero who fights for their happily ever after.

Tropes
* Secret Identity
* Fake Relationship (though she doesn’t know that)
* Surprise Pregnancy
* Betrayal & Grovel
* Novella

[Birty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another entry in Maya Alden’s Regretfully Yours series that does not disappoint. Alden’s readers will recognize Dominic Delacour, NSA agent, from some previous books, but will see him in a different light. Hard-a## agent turned into man in love. Enya is the innocent florist who Dominic uses to get close to her father to catch a traitor. Dominic uses her love for him to gather information, realizing too late that he has fallen in love with her. What follows is Dominic’s efforts to win Enya’s heart again and her efforts to protect said heart.

Enya is strong and resilient and works to move past her heartache and pain. She doesn’t want anything to do with Dominic, but he is persistent in earning back her trust and love. Their journey back to each other has some pitfalls and setbacks, and that’s what keeps the story moving forward and interesting.

The reader does not need to read the other books in the series as each book is a stand-alone but more about Dominic can be found in the Marriage by Contract series.

[T · Rating 4 out of 5]

* Betrayal & Grovel
* Short read
* Standalone
* FMC Enya x MMC Dominic

If you haven't read Mayas short reads before I would say go now. Quick easy reads which start of with a heartbreaking betrayal and leads to the MMC gaining the FMC trust back.

For anyone who read Not A Love Marriage by Maya alden you will have heard of Dom already. Daisy's undercover operative brother.

This book focuses on Enya and her realisation that her relationship wasn't what she thought it was. Going from thinking you finally found someone who wants you and not just your connection to your father, to then realising you were just a job was heartbreaking. Alden however made Dom redeemable and in the end it was a HEA between the original couple.

My favourite moment was Enyas sass coming in strong:

“Agent Ruiz, you use the strangest terms. Why would I care why and how Nick was operating? What I cared about was his dick, and that operated just fine.”

[Joanne Farley · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Dominic can no longer make the ends justify the means.

Tropes foe this book. Secret Identity, Fake Relationship (though Enya doesn’t know that), Surprise Pregnancy, Betrayal & Grovel, Novella

If you are a Maya fan than you already know Dominic and more than likely don’t like him very much, I am here to tell you the first few chapters of this book are not going to change your mind.
He is a secret agent and in the course of an investigation he forms a relationship with Enya and when the truth comes out her heart is broken.

Dominic quickly realises that he has made a terrible mistake and lost the love of his life. When he realises that she is pregnant the fun really kicks in.

Enya is no push over and she is going to make Nick earn her trust again. By about chapter three I was half in love with Nick and firmly in his corner. His grovel was top notch and heart felt. I am so happy that we got Nick and Enya story.

I am loving Maya's regretfully yours series.

[B Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️

Maya’s short stories never fail to a proverbial gut punch. This tale revolves around Enya, an introverted and soft hearted florist. She is desperately starved for unconditional love and acceptance after coming from a family who only value optics that enhance their political power. She is, unsurprisingly, devastate to learn that the man she loves is no more than a plant and she his pawn.

What follows is a man willing to sacrifice a future that no longer fits, as he works to become a man that Enya can trust and forgive. This was a whole lot of fun and delightfully unexpected when previous characters from other series make an appearance. This is such a wonderful addition to the Regretfully Yours world and I hope you take a chance when it releases May 9th. As always, please check content warnings.

[Joanna Herrera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every book in the Regretfully Yours series - they just get better!
Dominic is the 4th in the series and it delivers everything you would hope for in a Maya Alden book. The love, the gut punch, the grovel, the HEA!
Dominic starts with Enya finding out that the man she has fallen in love with is not who he said he was- he is a federal agent who used her to get close to her father! She is devastated, heartbroken...and strong! Dominic knows this is not a normal case, he knows this is something he may not recover from - not only did he seduce Enya - he fell for her!
There is some light OW drama. Dominic sets out to prove that he and Enya belong together - especially once he finds out that she is going to have his baby! But Enya is not going to be easily convinced that this time it's real!

[DiDi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a short quick read that was highly entertaining.

We had the sister who was less than seen by her father and sister. Who struggled with being seen and wanted as her own person. She had a history of formal OM using her for her connections.

The H is a spy who uses her to get close to her family to investigate them. They are together for six months and she has no idea. It all blows up and she is heart broken.

The H realizes he loves her and gets out of the spy business and starts on winning her back. His sister and family were great. It would have been nice to see the h’s sister change and realize her mistakes but for the length of the book there was not enough room to do justice

Highly recommend I believed the HEA some minor OW drama but quickly handled.

[Betty B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dominic: A Short Story (Regretfully Yours) is a must read. Maya Alden does not disappoint with her latest tale about Enya and Dom. The book begins with Dom, also known as Nick, uses the heroine for professional purposes. Enya feels betrayed once again by someone she cares for and ends all ties with the hero. Unfortunately, Dom realizes that he cannot live without her. He does everything in his power to make her trust him again. He is even more invested when he finds out that Enya is pregnant. Loving the happily ever after and getting to visit with some of the author’s past characters.
Happy Reading!

[Dianne Laidler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dom Delacour works for a secret agency and it is his job to befriend Enya to get closer to her father.

However, he sleeps with her and falls in love with her. He quits the agency and tries to win her back, she now knows she was just a job so he needs to grovel BIG time.

Enya is lovely, a florest with a big heart, she becomes a badass and does not take him back easily, however when there is a baby in the mix he steps up and proves himself to her.

I loved seeing Daisy and Forrest pop up and take a big role in this book, they were amazing and I want to do a reread of their book next!

This is not a long book but is a great read!

[Jenlovestoread7 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another new favourite by Maya 🙈

I honestly don’t think Maya has written a book that I haven’t read in one sitting.
I loved that Nick’s book starts with the betrayal, I love all the angst, but it didn’t take long before he realised what he’d lost and dropped everything to be there for Enya. The fact that Enya didn’t forgive him immediately was great and I loved that it caused her to be a stronger MFC, eventually standing up to her family too.

I’m so happy Dominic got his story 🩷

I received an arc and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.

[Fatima Barakat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! I finished this in one sitting because I’ve been waiting for Dominic’s story for ages 🫣 and what a story.
I knew dominic was gonna break my heart but his groveling was top notch and I wanted to hug him so freaking hard because he was adorable sometimes 🥰 and Enya was amazing she was this soft hearted but fierce woman you can’t help but fall in love with her.

Like always with Maya’s books I find myself the happiest while reading them and this was no different. I can’t wait for the next book in this series to come out.

[Rhonda Niefer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a heartbreaking betrayal! Enya falls in love with Nick Smith only to find out he was an undercover agent investigating her father and his name isn't even Nick Smith. Dominic falls in love with Enya but still uses her for his investigation and breaks her heart. He makes a major change in his life and comes back to win her trust and love. Dominic gradually worms his way back into Enya's life. He's bossy but he loves her and shows her that he sees her and wants to be with her. This a great addition to Maya Alden's Regretfully Yours series.

[Petra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so happy that Dominic, Daisy’s brother finally got a book. It was great to see him become a caring human being because of Enya. She brought out Dom’s humanity and it was great to see him with his family and how close they were. I was really happy to see Daisy and Forest and how Daisy didn’t pull any punches with Dom and what he did to Enya. It was a great read and Maya did a great job redeeming Dom.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great short story in this series! Dom, or Nick, gets his world rocked and changed when his undercover job puts him in the path of the sweet Enya. When he messes up in a big way, Enya is quick to say she can forgive but never forget. Loved watching Nick show up and do everything he can to prove to Enya he is the guy she fell for and not the one who lied. Love this story! Best friends/family Cass, Daisy, and Forest were amazing!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enya is a whimsical, romantic MC with a hidden strength and backbone that makes her very relatable. Although she's the one that was betrayed, she's also the hero of the story. Saving Dom from himself and an empty future. Even though it's a novella, Maya Alden managed to create fully fleshed-out characters with depth and back-story. it was also great to have Daisy and Forrester making an appearance. All in all, a great story with enough grovel to make me happy Enya got her HEA.

[Tina Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a quick read but packs a punch. We met Dominic in The Wrong Husband where his character was not very likable. I love that Maya wrote a book for him. Dominic messes up again but realizes it. My heart broke for Enya. She was searching for someone to love her without strings. She didn't have it with her family and thought she had it with Nick (Dominic). Nope. Dominic realizes he loves her and fights to get her back. I love that we got to see Daisy and Forest! Great book!!!

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dominic and Enya for the win! The book opens right into the conflict that occurs from the start the book grabs your interest. The backstory follows quickly and we see the MMC start his grovel and actualization. We meet the lovely FMC and see her begin her journey of change and self-realization. The interactions and love just made for a beautiful story, well done with this novel!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Maya announced that Dom was getting his own story, I knew I was going to like it. Turns out, I love it!!

This is a novella, so you pop into the story right when the betrayal is discovered by the FMC. It short and sweet and oh so good ❤️ I loved watching Dom find his heart and regret his actions once he fell in love.

[Tej Saw · Rating 5 out of 5]

got an arc of the book and absolutely devoured it in a few hours. chapter 1 sucks u in so fast.. u just cant stop reading it till u finish the book. i loved both Dom and Enya.. both were strong characters.. loved how Dom accepted n admitted what Enya meant to him n how he navigated their journey to HEA! also adored Daisy n Forrest!!! they both deserve a book!!

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great read! I loved seeing Dominic’s love story play out after meeting him in Maya’s previous books. The cameos from other beloved characters were a great addition.

Enya was such a great fmc, and she really made Dominic work for his redemption. It was a well earned hea in my opinion, definitely recommend!

[Vilborg Vif Gudmundsdottir · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed all the books in regretfully yours and can't wait for rest.
Dominic is an undercover agent and he falls in love with his targets daughter, which he gets close to for the case. He breaks both their hearts but in the end he is there and proves to her and himself that he's worth it. Short read but very enjoyable.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received an advanced copy. Wasn’t sure about the trope, undercover, falling for the target. Dom Delacour did not disappoint!!

Daisy and Forest made appearances, and Dom/Nick stepped up, after the mission was done. Loved the banter.

Definitely a worthy read, angst, grovel, alpha male and some a follow up undercover from Dominic’s past.

[Shivani Gupta · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was such a good story...It was like a movie...Enya (such a unique name) was just wow..I liked her strength, resilience,how she handled herself..and how her character evolved in the whole book.....
A must read
I was fortunate enough to get arc for this..

[Sahana Ketheeswaran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg I lov s it .. I thought he's going to be an Diiiiiiiik but no he was the total opposite. Loved it!!

[Maria T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Enya! So strong! Dom did a quick recovery for his idiocy and worked hard to be worthy of Enya. Can’t wait for the other ones