Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

Chapter 35 ~ Breaking my heart

ATHENA

The man,

no, the stranger doesn't answerright away. His jaw tightens, the flicker of something dark passing through

his green eyes before he masks his expression into something unreadable.

Just how much have | forgotten?

| watch him as | wait for him to say something, but he just watches me, and | move back even further, pulling the

blanket to my chest as we remain in silence.

| shift uncomfortably, my body still aching, my mind swimming through thick fog. The beeping of the machines

aroundfills the air, but my ears focus on the sound of my own breathing-shaky, uneven.

Afraid.

He knows me.

But I don't know him.

And that terrifiesmore than the memory of drowning.

His grip on my arm is firm but careful, like he's afraid I'll shatter.

| don't understand why.

"You were in an accident," he finally says, his voice deep and low. "You nearly drowned."

From how my body feels, it doesn't feel anywhere near what he's saying, but | don't tell him that. | just press my

lips into a thin line and wait for him to continue speaking.

When he doesn't, | feel my frustration starting to build.

Why does he keep looking atlike that?

| swallow hard, my throat dry. "How do you know that?"

"I know." Is his one word response.

Hot and the monologue type?

"Did you save me?" | ask, wondering if that's the reason why he's here.

Something flashes in his expression again, but he doesn't answer. Instead, he reaches for a glass of water on the

bedside table and brings it toward me.

"Drink."

| hesitate.

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I don't know him.

And yet, the way he says it, like it's not a suggestion, like he expectsto listen.

| would tell him not to command me, but | take the cup anyway. My fingers tremble slightly as | bring it to my

lips, the cool water soothing my dry throat.

His gaze never leaves me.

He's watchingtoo closely.

Like he's waiting.

Like he's testing me.

| lower the cup, licking the water off my lips.

"What else?"

His eyes narrow slightly.

"What do you remember?"

The question makes my stomach twist. | want to answer. | want to tell him something, anything, but when | reach

for a memory, | cup blank.

My heart pounds.

"|..." My voice drops. "I don't know."

The air shifts.

His jaw clenches, his hands balling into fists before he exhales sharply.

1 flinch.

Not because I think he'll hurt me, but because the reaction is so strong. Like my answer is the last thing he

wanted to hear.

His next words are quiet. "Do you know who | am?"

The way he asks, it makes my skin prickle.

| shake my head slowly.

A muscle ticks in his jaw. "Not even my name?"

I swallow. "No."

Silence.

Then, he exhales again, running a hand through his blonde hair, his frustration barely concealed.

"It's Alex," he says finally, his voice even but firm. "I'm Alex."

| stare at him, searching for anything familiar.

Nothing.

"lI don't..." My throat tightens. "I don't remember you."

Something dark passes through his eyes, but this time, he doesn't hide it.

For the first time, | realize he's not just a stranger.

He's someone who expectedto remember him.

And | didn't.

Alex.

The nmeans nothing to me, but the way he says it like it should make

something uneasy settle in my stomach.

I don't

aches

and why my chest

When | look at him, why theet

between us feels so heavy,

filled with... something I can't name.

Before | can say anything else, the door swings open.

The woman who steps inside has stunning long, wavy blonde hair, the spiercing green eyes as Alex,

delicate features that should make her look soft but don't. There's something bold about her, something fierce

that screams don't fuck with me.

She isn't alone.

The man beside her is older, but

there's no mistaking the

resemblance. Strong jaw, even though he has black hair and brown eyes, he has the scommanding

presence as Alex, only his feels heavier, like he's used to people listening to him without question.

It doesn't take a genius to know they're family.

His eyes soften when they fall onbut | don't know what to do so | fidget with my fingers.

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The woman's face twists with something more, is it shock, relief, or pain, | really can't tell.

"Athena! Oh my baby!"

The next thing | know, she's rushing toward me, and before | can process it, her

arms are around me.

Pain explodes through my ribs.

| whimper, body stiffening at the sudden pressure.

"Mum," Alex growls, "You're hurting her."

She gasps, jerking back instantly. "I'm so sorry! Oh my God, did | hurt you?"

Tears spill down her cheeks as she cups my face gently, her hands warm, comforting.

"I'm so glad you're safe. Oh my God, my heart shattered in fear." She pulls me

into another hug but this one is softer.

"How are you feeling?" The man she cwith asks.

"Uhmm.... Much better." | respond. Not knowing what else | can say.

"We are glad you're better." He says and | give him a small smile.

"This is my Mum and Dad," Alex says, and | almost shout, | knew it.

His mum watches me, her eyes still teary and | wonder why his mother would shed tears for me.

Ugh this blank memory is annoying as hell.

For a moment, | wait for her to get angry that | can't remember them or to questionbut she doesn't.

"Oh my Athena! All will be well my princess!" She instead pullsinto a hug and

it baffles me.

As she's hugging me, | lock eyes with Alex, he hasn't stopped watchingand

it's makingfeel uncomfortable.

He eventually drops his gaze and hardens his face as he turns to his father,

"We need to talk."

They share a silent exchange and walk out together.

His mum pulls back and says something, but my mind is on the man that just

walked out and the look he had in his eyes.

| don't know why but somehow it breaks my heart.