Semua Bab Dear Ex Wife, Please take me back: Bab 111 - Bab 120

ATHENAI thought the black box Marcus gave me would unsettle the pit in my stomach. Well, guess what… I was wrong.Because my heart has been on that text since I left Rayen recovering in the hospital a week ago.“UNKNOWN:I know what happened to your child.”I tried to call the number. It was off. Still is. And now, instead of fear, it’s anger burning beneath my skin like wildfire..How dare they try to play with me?Do they have any idea what it means to lose a child? Do they understand that kind of pain? The kind that never heals never softens, never lets go?That’s not something you dangle over someone’s head like a cruel joke, then switch off your damn phone and vanish into silence.I looked like I had seen a damn ghost as I came up with an excuse to avoid Ariana’s questioning gaze. I should’ve deleted that message. But I didn’t.Because a tiny, maddening part of me, the same part that still dreams of tiny fingers and lullabies in the middle of the night, hopes it’s rea

ATHENA Anna’s words hit me like a truck, and I feel like I’ve just been kicked in the chest. Air escapes my lungs in a wheeze. My hands curl into fists on the table, nails biting into my palms until it stings.“I thought she went abroad and gave birth a month later than I did.” My eyes are bloodshot red, and I can barely keep my voice steady. “There was no baby. As far as I know. I don't know whose child they switched with, but Leah didn't go anywhere. She's been around the whole time, and they probably made the date a month later to avoid suspicion. Maybe they feared Mr. King will notice a few things that show she's guilty.”“Why?” I whisper, barely able to breathe. “Why would she… do something so evil?”“I don’t know,” Anna replies, her voice trembling now. “But she wasn’t alone. There were people helping her, people with influence. This wasn’t just about jealousy or revenge. I'm so sorry, Athena. I understand you're angry and you'll want to report me.”I laugh.A cold hallow soun

ATHENAI’ve 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 it’s 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. “You didn't answer me,” he says, his voice lower now. My fingers fumble with the zipper of my purse. “Rayen asked me to get him something,” I lie, though my voice wavers near the end. “I was just grabbing it.”Or 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!

LEAH“Mummy, can we go to a play park today?” 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.“Mummy?” he says again, his voice higher, whinier.“What!” I snap, whipping around so fast he flinches. I catch the way his lower lip wobbles that stupid, pathetic look he gives when he’s about to cry.The anger simmers hotter under my skin.“Why are you so damn annoying? Go find Miranda and bother her!”I 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

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."I’ll just... call Daddy," I say quickly. "He’ll transfer the money right now. It’s 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 father’s number, I press it to my ear, forcing a smile at Alex.He watches me, hands still shoved casually into his pockets, like he’s enjoying every