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Chapter 19 ~ A hand or a messed mind
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2025-02-27 23:31:12
The every womanThank you for reading! Hi Ruthie, updates are two chapters everyday except Sundays.
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Dear Ex Wife, Please take me backย ย ย Chapter 20 ~ A touch that hurts
AthenaPain.Itโs the first thing I feel, a deep, searing ache that spreads through my entire body like wildfire. My limbs feel like dead weight, my head is pounding, and my throat is raw as if I had swallowed shards of glass. My lashes flutter open, and the bright, lights of the hospital sting my vision. The beeping of a monitor echoes in my ears.Am I dead?Moving my neck tells me the answer because the pain I feel is excruciating.I inhale slowly, but even that hurts.โAthena?โThe voice is soft, but also sounding panicked. Iโm pretty sure my family doesnโt give a shit about me so that canโt be them. Hell, they wouldn't cross the road just to check on how Iโm doing. So who is it?My brain is mushy and there is an annoying ring in my ears as I turn my head slightlyโevery movement like dragging through molassesโand my gaze lands on Giana. Her usually composed face is streaked with worry, her wrinkled hands trembling as they reach for me, smoothing my hair away from my damp forehe
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2025-02-27Dear Ex Wife, Please take me backย ย ย Chapter 21 ~ Shaken
Alex She blinks at me and I lock my jaw. Seeing her bruises and how she's in pain but trying to hide it is doing things to me that shouldn't happen. I kept telling myself I'm only here because I have to save face but my heart knows it's bullshit. I came because I wanted to be here. Fuck, I haven't even left since the day she fell.Once she's better I'm going to turn this city upside down just so I can find the fucker who dared push her. I know this because I retrieved the deleted footage. They thought they were smart but nothing goes beyond Luca. โWell, I don't care.โ She argues. Making me sigh in frustration. Her exams are over, but her professor said he'd make sure she gets to write deferred. But I choose not to tell her so I can see how far she will go.Pushing her buttons seems to be my favorite game lately. She tries to stand but her legs give out and she falls forward.I step closer and hold her as she falls into my arms like it's the most natural thing. Her body is warm
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2025-02-28Dear Ex Wife, Please take me backย ย ย Chapter 22 ~ Dr. Martinez
AlexAthenaโs head snaps in my direction, and for a second, I think sheโs about to fire off some smartass comment โ tell me Iโm imagining things, that Iโm overreacting again โ but she doesnโt. Instead, she swallows hard, her hand gripping the thin hospital blanket like itโs the only thing keeping her anchored."I'm fine," she says, but her voice lacks the bite Iโm used to. Itโs flat.I step closer, ignoring the doctor now. Heโs just an annoying blur in the corner of my vision."What did he do?" My voice is lower this time.Her eyes widen just a fraction. "Nothing. He did his job, Alex. That's it."But I see it โ the slight tremble in her fingers, the way her throat bobs when she swallows again. Sheโs not okay."I need to speak to the nurse's station," the doctor interjects, clearly uncomfortable with the tension swirling in the room. Heโs already edging toward the hallway like he can feel the noose tightening around his neck.I let him go. For now.The door shuts again, leaving us a
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2025-02-28Dear Ex Wife, Please take me backย ย ย Chapter 23 ~ A perfect future doesn't exist
AthenaโOhhh, Iโm so glad youโre better, my baby. Iโm sorry I couldnโt be with you as you checked out. Something came up,โ Giana says from her hospital bed, her warm smile easing some of the tension in my chest. I laugh softly. โI can see that.โ She looks tired but still elegant, her silver hair neatly pinned back, her frail hands resting on the blanket. The monitors beep steadily beside her and my heart aches for her. I sit beside her, reaching for her hand. She squeezes mine gently. โI was worried about you,โ she says. I glance down, swallowing the lump in my throat. โI'm fine, granny.โ Her green eyes study me, the way only she can. โLiar.โ I force a smile. โI learned from the best.โ She chuckles, but thereโs sadness in it. โThat boy of mineโฆ he loves you in his own way, you know. I know you two feel like we had to force it upon you, but I trust my instinct. And it says you two make a perfect match.โ I donโt answer. My heart swells as the words from yesterday ech
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2025-02-28Dear Ex Wife, Please take me backย ย ย Chapter 24 ~ For as long as it takes
AlexโYouโre not paying attention to me.โ Leahโs voice cuts through the silence. I donโt respond. Just swirl the amber liquid in my glass, watching the way the light catches it. โYouโre distracted,โ she presses. โIs everything okay?โ I take a slow breath. Exhale. โFine.โOne word. Thatโs all she gets. She sighs and picks up a second glass, pouring a drink before handing it to me. I donโt move to take it. Because she touched it. The thought sends an uncomfortable itch crawling up my spine. My fingers twitch, resisting the urge to shove it away. She notices my hesitation, her lips parting slightly before she sets the glass down on the table instead. I donโt miss the flicker of pain concealed in her eyes. I reach for the bottle and pour myself a new drink. One untouched. One clean. Leah crosses her arms. โStill the same, huh?โ I donโt answer. She sighs, her shoulders slumping as she sits next to me and tries to hook her arm into mine but thinks twice about it.
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2025-02-28Dear Ex Wife, Please take me backย ย ย Chapter 25 ~ Because it's a fake Marriage
Athena The door shuts and I keep my face forward, like I haven't heard him walk in. I arrived a few hours ago with Ryan helping me while my husband probably went to lay off some steam with the love of his life. I tried to shower but it's been a bitch because I'm still so sore and I almost died in there.I imagined Ryan's face pale when he heard my scream but couldn't come in. Alex would kill him. My entire body is in pain but I'd rather die than show that weakness. โHow are you feeling?โ His deep voice caresses my skin. But I harden my heart and fix my face. โFine.โ โAthena.โ โI'm tired, Alex. Let me just watch TV in peace.โ Silence settles between us, heavy and suffocating. I keep my eyes glued to the screen, even though Iโm not really watching. I can feel him standing there, his presence pressing down on me, but I refuse to look at him. I hear him sigh, then the rustling of fabric as he moves. I expect him to leave, but instead, he walks closer. I tense when I feel t
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2025-02-28Dear Ex Wife, Please take me backย ย ย Chapter 26 ~ Awkward Exam
AthenaโCome on Athena! You missed every party we've had. We need to celebrate our final paper!โ Mira hooks her hand Into mine and I wince. โCareful, I'm still in pain.โ It has been two weeks since my accident and my body has healed but when too much pressure is applied, it stings. After I was discharged, officers came home and asked if I had anyone who would target me and honestly, I couldn't think of anyone. Ariana suggested they get me a bodyguard but I declined. It was going to just cause unnecessary attention. They were reluctant at first but I managed to convince them and now here I am. Mira has been my friend since my first year and although I wouldn't call her my best friend, she's the closest I have to one. Her face reddens. โOh I'm so sorry. I thought you were better.โ I laugh, โI am. We can talk about the party once I write my exams, okay? I'm anxious and I'm not sure they'll let me sit for them.โOne thing about this school is that they don't compromise and reputat
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2025-02-28Dear Ex Wife, Please take me backย ย ย Chapter 27 ~ A smooth lie
AthenaThe moment I step out of the exam hall, I release a long breath, stretching my fingers after hours of gripping my pen. It's finally over. Since it was differed, we had to write all three papers missed in one sitting. It was exhausting but I know that I nailed it. I really want to be a great doctor. I feel like it's the only thing that will keep me close to my parents. I just hope the results will be favorable too!I should be relieved, but the second I take another step forward, I stop dead in my tracks. Alex is standing there. He's wearing a suit like he always does. Dressed to the nines with no wrinkle in sight And his hair perfectly done. Girls are swooning over him but no one dares to approach him.Leaning casually against his sleek black SUV, his arms crossed over his chest, looking like he owns the damn place. Of course, he does. His company probably sponsors the whole school. My mood sours instantly. Why is he here again?I look around but keep walking. Avoi
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2025-02-28
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Dear Ex Wife, Please take me backย ย ย Chapter 123 ~ Shot
ATHENA The shot rings out.I brace for the pain, for the heat of the bullet tearing through my flesh.But it never comes.Iโm still standing.I'm still breathing.Frozen.My heart slams against my ribs as the world slows around me.And then-โNo!โA body crashes into mine, shoving me hard to the side.I stumble, catching myself against the edge of a table.Thatโs when I hear it, a guttural gasp, the sound of someone choking on breath. The thud of a body hitting marble.Blood splatters.I look down my body and realize it's not mine.My eyes widen as I turn.Someone took the bullet.For me.From the corner of my eye, I can see Leah screaming, thrashing, wild-eyed like a mad woman.. But the officers are on her now, four of them tackling her to the ground, ripping the gun from her hands.My ears ring.The voices fade.Someoneโs shouting my name, but it sounds like itโs coming from underwater.Everything begins to blur, hitting me all at once.A gun.Shoot.Not me.I look to the side and
Dear Ex Wife, Please take me backย ย ย Chapter 122 ~ Can't get away with it!
ATHENALeah stares at the dress like it's made of poison.I could poison it, but that would have been too merciful.Her hands tremble as she clutches the dresser behind her for balance. โYouโre bluffing,โ she whispers, her voice cracking beneath the weight of panic. โYou canโt- none of this-this isnโt legal!โI take another step closer and smile. Itโs not kind. Itโs not warm. Itโs the smile of a woman whoโs been pushed too far, whoโs crawled her way through hell and came back with fire in her veins.โOh, sweetheart,โ I say, leaning in until our noses almost touch, โdo I look like I care about whatโs legal? I think you and I already crossed that line. โShe flinches.โ You know the first thing that hit me when I found out what you had done? I wanted to drown you the way you did to me. But then I realized there was a better way. Whatever you love, Iโll take it. Every fucking thing attached to your name, I will rip it from you and burn it to ashes. Everything you've been craving, will
Dear Ex Wife, Please take me backย ย ย Chapter 121 ~ Smile
ATHENAFLASHBACK7 days agoโฆ.โItโs only been two hours. Donโt be so anxious,โ Zayan says to me, but it does nothing to calm the storm raging inside me.Alex is unpredictable.He may think I fabricated the evidence, and thatโs not even the worst that could happen. Leah could get her hands on the documents, twist the story like she always does, and paint me as a manipulator.Iโm pacing the length of Zayanโs office, chewing on my nail, with nerves clawing up my throat when the door suddenly slams open, and I nearly jump out of my skin.Alex stands there like a force of nature. His shoulders are rigid, his chest is heaving, and those wild green eyes are locked onto me with pure fury.โGet the fuck out,โ he growls, low and dangerous. Zayan straightens from where heโs leaning against the desk, glaring at Alex. โItโs my office,โ he snaps.I flick my desperate gaze toward Zayan, silently begging him to give us a moment. Zayan hesitates for just a moment before he sighs and grabs his jacke
Dear Ex Wife, Please take me backย ย ย Chapter 120 ~ The dress is missing!
LEAHSix days laterโฆโI hope you secure a good fortune after paying ten million for a ridiculous wedding dress!โ Mum snaps as she adjusts the hem of my robe.โCan we see it?โ she asks, her voice softer this time, almost curious.โNo," I say, flipping my hair over my shoulder. "Itโs not with me. I had to do makeup first.โDad grumbles something under his breath, still pale from the heart attack he nearly had when the bank called him.Apparently, when someone drops ten million on a dress, the financial world panics.They thought Iโd lost my card. That some thief was out there playing dress-up with my future.But no. I signed the authorization myself and left a copy with the boutique, just in case I change my mind and want a refund later.Not that it matters.Ten million is nothing compared to how much Iโll be entitled to once the vows are said, and my last name is King.โIn a few minutes," I remind them with a sparkling smile, "Alexander King will be your son-in-law. Do you have any ide
Dear Ex Wife, Please take me backย ย ย Chapter 119 ~ A wedding to plan
LEAHI swallow hard, my hands trembling so badly I have to clutch them behind my back."No," I say, my voice cracking. "Of course not! Alex, you know me...""Do I?" he asks, tilting his head, his green eyes unreadable.The assistant stands frozen behind the counter, the dress draped over her arm like a dead body.I force a smile, blinking fast to hide the sting in my eyes."Iโll just... call Daddy," I say quickly. "Heโll transfer the money right now. Itโs no big deal."Alex chuckles a low, dangerous sound that makes my blood turn to ice.Is he testing me?"Of course," he responds, "Call Daddy."His words are laced with mockery, but I ignore it. I'm sure it's a test.One I'm not going to lose!I've come too close to the goal to let it slip off my hands. I yank my phone out of my purse so fast it almost flies across the room.Dialing my fatherโs number, I press it to my ear, forcing a smile at Alex.He watches me, hands still shoved casually into his pockets, like heโs enjoying every
Dear Ex Wife, Please take me backย ย ย Chapter 118 ~ A surprise
LEAHโWhat are we doing here, Alex?โ I whisper, my voice barely coming out, unable to believe whatโs standing right in front of me.A bridal boutique.A real, shimmering bridal boutique. My fucking dream boutique where they sale the best and most expensive wedding gowns!The doors swing open as if they were expecting us.A woman in a sleek black dress smiles warmly and gestures us inside. "Welcome Mr. King, ma'am. We've been expecting you."Ma'am.Mrs King is the name but I have to play nice so I smile. โThank you!โ.When we step Inโฆ. my breath stops!I stumble forward, my heart slamming into my ribs so hard it hurts.I turn to Alex, blinking up at him, my mind spinning, almost scared to say the words out loud. โAlex, really... what is this?โHe doesnโt smile.He doesnโt soften. He just looks at me with those icy green eyes and says, his voice low and serious,โTo be my wife... you need a dress.โHe shrugs like itโs obvious, like itโs the most natural thing in the world. โIsnโt
Dear Ex Wife, Please take me backย ย ย Chapter 117 ~ A swap
LEAHโMummy, can we go to a play park today?โ An irritating little voice reaches my ears, cutting through the music, playing softly in the background.I clench my teeth so hard my jaw aches.How have I managed to raise this little brat?Ugh.I set down my eyeliner with a sharp clink on my dresser. Focus, Leah. Focus.You need him. You need him to get what you want. He's the golden ticket.โMummy?โ he says again, his voice higher, whinier.โWhat!โ I snap, whipping around so fast he flinches. I catch the way his lower lip wobbles that stupid, pathetic look he gives when heโs about to cry.The anger simmers hotter under my skin.โWhy are you so damn annoying? Go find Miranda and bother her!โI turn back to the mirror, snatching up the mascara wand with enough force to nearly snap it in half.From the corner of my eye, I see him hesitate. He shifts on his tiny feet, fiddling with the hem of his shirt.I've fought so hard to be where I am. Nothing was handed to me, nothing!Not my st
Dear Ex Wife, Please take me backย ย ย Chapter 116 ~ Results
ATHENAThe breath I didnโt know Iโd been holding finally escapes my lungs. The paper slips from my fingers, fluttering softly to the floor, but I donโt reach for it.I canโt move.Iโm frozen in place, staring blankly. As a wave of emotions crashes over me with such force, it nearly knocks the air from my chest as I read the results over and over again. Paternity Results;Athena Dawson and Rayen King: 99.9% Match.Rayen is mine.Heโs mine.My baby didnโt die. He didnโt die that day in the hospital like they told me.I wasnโt crazy.I didnโt imagine his little fingers curling around mine. The way I knew, deep in my soul, that he existed even when no one believed me.Tears burn my eyes, blurring the world around me, and I lift my trembling hand to cover my mouth. A choked sob escapes before I can stop it. Zayan is suddenly beside me again, his arm wrapping around my shoulders, anchoring me before I drown in the storm.โIf I say I suspected it before I saw his birthmark, then I must be
Dear Ex Wife, Please take me backย ย ย Chapter 115 ~ Are you sure?
ATHENAIโve had so many situations that took my breath away. Literally.But the man standing here before me, with his jaw clenched and eyes that flicker like a storm about to strike tops the list by far. My mouth dries up. My pulse screams in my ears. And for a second, I forget to breathe altogether.I crouch down quickly, stuffing the toothbrush back into the resealable bag like itโs nothing more than a spilled pen. Casual. Cool. Calm. All the things I am absolutely not right now. His shoes move closer, and they match the fast beating of my heart.Ta ta ta taSilence.When I look up, I realize the sound had stopped because he's now close. โYou didn't answer me,โ he says, his voice lower now. My fingers fumble with the zipper of my purse. โRayen asked me to get him something,โ I lie, though my voice wavers near the end. โI was just grabbing it.โOr I could have just said he invited me, but that's even worse. A three year old invites you, and you end up stealing?Oh God!
