Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

Chapter 22 ~ Dr. Martinez

Chapter 22 Dr. Martinez

Alex

Athena's head snaps in my direction, and for a second, I think she's about to fire off some smartass comment -

tell me I'm imagining things, that I'm overreacting again - but she doesn't.

Instead, she swallows hard, her hand gripping the thin hospital blanket like it's the only thing keeping her anchored.

"I'm fine," she says, but her voice lacks the bite I'm used to.

It's flat.

I step closer, ignoring the doctor now. He's 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

the slight tremble in her fingers, the way her throat bobs

when she swallows again. She's not okay.

"I need to speak to the nurse's station,"

the doctor interjects, clearly uncomfortable with the tension swirling

in the room. He's

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 alone.

"Athena,” I say, stepping closer, my voice rough. "Tell me the truth."

She looks away, her jaw clenching. "There's nothing to tell. Just drop it."

Like hell I will.

My hand grips the edge of the bed frame, my knuckles turning white. "Did he touch you wrong? Say something?" My words are clipped, hard enough to cut through the thick air.

Her lips press together, and that's when I know - something happened.

Whatever he did has messed with her and she's

trying to convince herself it wasn't a big deal.

But it is.

To me, it is.

"I'm fine," she repeats, quieter this time.

I don't believe her.

1/5

Athena is very stubborn and doesn't easily give in.

So I try another approach.

"Should I get the footage and check?"

She snorts. "We both know there isn't any footage. He's not that stupid."

"So he tried something? Just tell me I just want to know." I coax.

what? Stop acting like you care. It's starting to

what he did and I won't annoy you," I

She sighs.

my discharge

approach doesn't

okay, I'll ask Ryan to come over.

here and get better. Tell your doctor

care of you." I stand and fix

shirt.

looks at me.

leave

"Why?"

for injuries and said when I get better,

my expression

some water?" I ask, voice calm,

that all you

her

want me to cuddle

Athena

her head and hugs herself, her body curling inward like

I exhale slowly, forcing myself to

door clicks shut

I make

burning with rage. The hospital smells like antiseptic and bad decisions, but

all I smell is

2/5

to see

smiles at me as she gives me

nod at her and her

worship the ground I walk on except one

eyes who happens to

I am, walking into an office all because I saw

becoming

[Dr. Martinez]

in

door is slightly ajar, and when I step inside,

shuffling papers, probably filling out some bullshit report about

looks

smile. "Oh, it's you again.

know-he has no clue

He's new.

if he knew, he wouldn't be sitting

door shut behind me.

say, my tone light.

Martinez hesitates, something in my voice making

"I'm... I'm good."

I nod. "Good."

move to this country?" I

looks at. Like I'm annoying him, but he

So Athena

like that." His tone

unbuckling it with

my face, confusion

along the edge of his desk. "Does the name

He blinks, then

3/5

I smile again. "Figures."

casually, I grab his wrist. Fast. Too fast for him

breath stutters. "What the hell are you

fingers digging into his skin. "Which hand

use to

don't

touched her ass, doc. Were you checking for injuries there