Semua Bab Dear Ex Wife, Please take me back: Bab 91 - Bab 100

ATHEN“Hi mum, Dad."The words leave my mouth barely above a whisper as I crouch beside the two headstones, brushing away the dried leaves clinging to their bases. I was given a leave day so I could visit my parents' grave. for their memorial I came here every year and sadly this is the first time I’ve visited with good news. Tears blur my vision as I trace my fingers over the engraved namesElena and Marcus Dawson My parents. My everything.“I’m sorry,” I whisper, my voice cracking like brittle glass. “I should’ve come sooner.”The guilt coils tighter in my chest, like a vice. Last year, I couldn’t bring myself to step foot here. I was drowning in pain, in fear, in the crushing weight of being told I had killed my own son.“Carry on the legacy.” Mum always said to me, but how can I when I can barely hold myself together? Every night, as I cried myself to sleep, I could hear Dad’s voice in my head, stern but kind, telling me to stand tall. I could see Mum’s soft smile, always bel

ATHENAOne month later….“You know,” Sloane says, tossing a bag of tortilla chips into the cart with flair, “I think my uterus has grown cobwebs. Literal. Freaking. Cobwebs.”I snort so loud a nearby toddler swivels to look at me. “Sloane!”“What?!” she grins shamelessly, pushing her sunglasses up on her head as she saunters past the cereal aisle. “It’s been so long, Athena. I’m talking ghost-town, tumbleweed-rolling, 'CLOSED FOR BUSINESS' kind of long.”Isabelle snorts behind me. “Okay, now I’m picturing cobwebs… down there. Thanks for that.”Sloane shrugs, utterly unfazed. “I’m just saying, if a hot guy so much as smiles at me, I might combust. Or cry. I’m not sure which yet.”I laugh, catching my breath as I toss a bag of apples into the cart. “This is what I missed. You two and your incredibly vivid metaphors.”“Well,” Isabelle says dryly, “that’s what happens when your love life is non-existent.”I laugh at that because it's true. Well… at least for me.Isabelle is too busy with

ATHENA We’re standing by the SUV, the chill of the parking lot wrapping around us as I try to steady my breathing. My heart is still racing from the awkwardness with Alex and Rayen, and honestly, I’m more than ready to put some distance between myself and the whole embarrassing scene. But Isabelle isn’t letting me off the hook.“You’ll be forgiven as soon as you tell me what the hell is going on between you two.”I glance over at her, my hands fidgeting with the strap of my purse. How do I even begin?“What do you mean?” I try to play it off, but I know she can see right through me.She doesn’t say anything at first. She just raises an eyebrow, like I’m the most obvious person in the world. Isabelle isn’t dumb, and she’s no stranger to uncomfortable situations.“I mean,” she leans against the SUV, crossing her arms, “you two obviously have some history. And you don’t go from being... whatever that was just now, to not having some serious unresolved stuff going on.”I sigh, glancing ar

ATHENA“You look beautiful.” Zayan says to me, and I flash him a smile. I still feel guilty for the trouble I caused him and hadn't spoken to him for over a year. So, I'm shocked to see him among the doctors joining the Quinns program. “You don't look too bad yourself.” I tease as I place my hands on his neck while we slow dance. That's one thing I love about Zayan. It's never awkward with him. Conversations are easy, and he has a great sense of humor. I shake my head, still smiling. “So you’re actually a doctor? I didn’t know.”“I'm pretty sure I mentioned it last time.” He teases, and my cheeks heat in embarrassment. My head has been a mess lately. He smiles, giving me a playful wink,“You're the first woman to have forgotten about me. I'm offended, and for that, you owe me dinner.” “Just say the day, and we can make it work.” I agree, and his lips curve into a full smile. “Didn't think you'd be here today, though.” I study him.Zayan Sinclair comes from a rich family. I don

ALEX“There is something I need to tell you.” Iann grabs a cigarette and throws himself on my couch. “I don't think doctors are supposed to be smoking.” I sarcastically comment. “Yeah, well, I don’t think engaged men are supposed to fall in love with their ex-wives either, yet here we are” he counters, his voice low and bitter as he sticks the cigarette between his lips.My hand stills mid-pour.The glass clinks against the bottle.I glance back at him slowly. “What the hell are you talking about?”Iann doesn’t look at me. He strikes a match and lights the cigarette with a stupid smirk.“I'm here for serious business, and I know you care about Athena, so I thought I could ask you before I proceed.”“I don't care about her.” I snarl as I sit across from him.I think I need a break from work. I'm so exhausted. “Hmmm yeah. Anyway, so I heard you stopped by during the little get-together we had.” “To pick up my son.” I emphasize. His brows shoot to his hairline as he eyes me while his