Dear ex-Wife please be mine again

Chapter 124

As I walked into Ethan’s hospital room, the soft hum of the machines and the antiseptic scent of the place pressed in on me. Ethan was sitting up, trying to look strong, but I could see the strain beneath his small smile. Christiana was beside him, her hand resting lightly on his, her gaze tender and worried all at once. Emma sat on the edge of the bed, her little fingers gripping Ethan’s arm, her face set in that fierce way she got when she was trying to be brave.

Ethan’s gaze met mine, and he gave me a nod, a mix of defiance and relief in his eyes. “Hey, Dad,” he said, his voice small but steady. “Guess they’re not getting rid of me that easy, huh?”

I forced a smile, trying to mask the ache in my chest. “Not a chance,” I replied, my voice as steady as I could make it. “You’re too tough for that.”

Christiana turned toward me, and the worry lines on her face softened a little. She reached out, just barely touching my arm, and the brief contact felt grounding–like a quiet reassurance. In that moment, we were just a family, all of us in this together, united by the relief of seeing Ethan safe, alive, and still very much himself.

Dr. Malik stepped in then, clipboard in hand, giving us all a warm nod. He glanced at Ethan, then addressed the three of us.

“Ethan did very well in the operation,” Dr. Malik began, his tone calm and reassuring. “The appendix was inflamed, but we were able to remove it without complications. He’ll need a few more days of rest here, and then at least a couple of weeks of taking it easy once he’s home.” He looked over at Ethan. “No running around, no rough play, just some good old rest and relaxation.”

Ethan groaned, rolling his eyes a little. “So I have to be all boring?”

“Pretty much,” Dr. Malik replied with a small smile. “I know it’s not easy, but give your body the time it needs, okay?” Christiana gave Ethan a gentle look, her voice soft but firm. “You’ll listen to the doctor, right?”

Ethan nodded, glancing at her, then at Emma, who was watching him with her big, serious eyes. He reached over and ruffled her hair gently. “Don’t worry, kiddo. I’m not going anywhere.”

Emma’s lip trembled a little, but she held herself together, crossing her arms with a small huff. “You better not,” she muttered with all the seriousness a five–year–old could muster. “Or I’ll be mad.”

We all laughed, and Ethan’s eyes softened as he looked at her. “Guess I don’t wanna make

you

mad, huh?”

not to press against his bandaged stomach. He closed his eyes, exhaling, and leaned into the hug, letting himself relax just a little. I could see him gathering strength from her, his hand resting lightly on her back, like

be okay,” she whispered, her voice soft and a

eyes drifting down as if he couldn’t quite look

my son, reassuring us all, even though he was the one who’d gone through something frightening and painful. Pride filled me, mixed with a pang of sadness that he’d had to experience this

gently. “You scared us, you know, I said, my voice

softly, and in that small response,

a note on his chart. “He’s doing well, but visiting hours are ending soon. He needs plenty

08:00 Thu,

Chapter 124

nodded, her hand resting lightly on Ethan’s.

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through the obvious exhaustion settling over him. “I’ll be here.” He paused, glancing at all

whispering, “Goodnight, Ethan.” Then she took my hand, looking up at me with that pleading, hopeful look,

room, I glanced back one last time to see Ethan already drifting off, his face finally relaxing as

a moment, her shoulders sagging. Without a thought, I reached out, took her hand, and gave it a gentle squeeze–a silent promise that we’d get

her small face sleepy but content.

of Emma’s hair. “Yes, sweetheart. He’s going to be just

quiet of the night, a calm settled over me, a sense of peace knowing that, for

got home and settled Emma into bed, the house felt almost too quiet, the weight of the past few days still heavy in the air. Christiana and I ended up in the kitchen, both of us too awake, too wound up to sleep just yet. I poured us each a cup of tea, hoping the familiar ritual might help us