Dear ex-Wife please be mine again

Chapter 87

Alexander POVE

I stood in the doorway of the bathroom, watching as Emma sat in the tub, her small hands gripping the edges, eyes distant. Ethan stood beside me, arms folded, refusing to get in. Both of them looked so drained, their usual spark dulled by the weight of worry. I sighed, stepping in and kneeling beside the tub.

“Emma” I said softly, dipping my hand into the warm water and gently splashing it over her arms. “Sweetheart, I know this is hard, but you need to bathe. You’ll feel a little better, I proinist

She shook her head slowly, barely acknowledging me. Ethan led beside me. “I don’t want to do anything until Mom5 comes back,” he muttered, his voice shaking with suppressed team.

I swallowed hard. my heart aching for them. They didn’t deserve this, to be scared and hurting like this. “Hey, look at me,” I said, turning to Ethan. Tm doing everything I can to find her, okay? But I need you two to stay strong, for her and for me. She wouldn’t want to see you like this.”

“But you haven’t found her yet, Ethan whispered, his voice breaking “What if you can’t? What if…?

“No.” I grabbed his shoulders gently, turning him to face me. His tear–filled eyes searched mine, pleading for an answer, for reassurance I wasn’t sure I could give. But I had to “I will find her, I won’t stop. Not until she’s back with us, safe. I swear it.”

Ethan blinked, his lips trembling, and I pulled him into a hug his small body pressed against mine. “It’s going to be okay.” 1 whispered into his hair, holding him tightly, feeling his tears soak into my shirt. I promise you, buddy.”

After getting them dressed. I tried to make breakfast, but neither of them touched their food. Emma poked at her cereal, staring at it as if the effort to even lift her spoon was too much. Ethan had pushed his plate aside entirely.

“Please, guys, you need to eat something. I pleaded, kneeling beside Emma. “You can’t keep going like this. Your mom would be so upset if she saw you like this.”

Then bring her back, Emma whispered, her voice barely audible. Her eyes met mine, full of sorrow, and my chest tightened painfully. I wished more than anything I could snap my fingers and make everything right. But I couldn’t.

I ran a hand through my hair, feeling the exhaustion creeping in Between taking care of them and trying to get leads on Christiana’s whereabouts, I hadn’t slept. Every call to the authorities, every attempt to find some way to communicate with the kidnappers had hit a dead end. It felt like I was running in circles, trapped, helpless.

The kids were still too shaken to go to school. I had called earlier, explaining the situation to the headmistress, trying to hold myself together as I spoke.

I sat down at the table, watching Emma and Ethan with a tight chest. They didn’t deserve this..none of us did. But I was their father. I had to be strong, even if inside I felt like I was slowly unraveling.

“You know what?” I forced a smile, trying to lighten the mood. “How about we do something fun today? A movie? Or maybe we can build a fort in the living room?”

Ethan shrugged, not looking at me, and Emma just shook her head. I sighed, standing up and pacing the kitchen, rubbing. my face in frustration. Nothing I did seemned to reach them, and it was killing me.

nothing. I felt the anger rise in

get through this, I muttered to myself, more than to them I

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18:15 Fri, Oct 18

Chapter 87

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The door to my

up before my mother’s sharp heels clicked across the floor. Her entrance, as always,

mask. “Why didn’t you

her disapproval hanging in the air. “Because, Mother,” I said, keeping my voice flat as 1 turned

on Ethan and Emma, sitting on the couch, looking small and fragile. They were quiet, withdrawn, and it wasn’t hard to see how deeply this was affecting them. They hadn’t eaten.

she repeated, her lips curling into a tight, mocking sinile. “When my grandchildren are sitting here, half–starved, scared out of their minds, and

stay calm. “I didn’t want to burden you with this, Mother. 1 didn’t think you’d care much about

her voice dripping with disdain. “That woman can rot for all I care. But my grandchildren her gaze flicked back to the kids, and for a brief

waiting for permission, and knelt in front of Ethan and Emma. Her usual hard edges softened just slightly

more…..human.

in her shoulder. It was strange, watching my mother, a woman known for her coldness..hold them with such care, but she’d always had a different side when it came

be alright. You’re with me now.” She wasn’t kind, not in

building inside me. She wasn’t here for Christiana. She’d never care about

gone?” she asked,

yesterday afternoon,” I replied, trying to keep the irritation out of

her voice hard as stone. “You’re not doing enough, Alex. You need to be more aggressive. You know how these things work. Get your hands dirty if

my jaw, the words boiling under my skin. “I’m doing everything I can,” I said through gritted teeth. “Do you think I’m just sitting

face me, her eyes narrowing. “I think you’re being too soft. Get your hands

head, exasperated. “I’m not holding back. I’m searching everywhere, I’ve got

time.”

don’t have,” she snapped, standing up abruptly, pulling Emma and Ethan along with her. “If you don’t bring their mother back soon, they’ll be even more of

was a bit surprising to see her talk like this, when before she wanted to take