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 annoy

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

She sighs.

my discharge

approach doesn't work?

since you're okay, I'll ask Ryan to come over. I have

for a while. Stay here and get better. Tell your

of you." I stand

shirt.

horrified as she looks at me. I raise a brow,

leave

"Why?"

for injuries and said when I get better, I should

nod, my expression

water?" I ask, voice

all you can

her a

Do you want me to cuddle

Athena

hugs herself, her body curling inward like she's trying to

ticking as I watch her. I exhale

door clicks shut behind

I make

the hallway, my insides burning with rage. The hospital smells like antiseptic and bad

all I smell

2/5

want to see that

nurse smiles at me as she

I nod at

I walk on except

black hair and doll eyes who

walking into an office

becoming of

[Dr. Martinez]

is in

when I step inside, the

out some bullshit report about how well he "treated"

looks up, his

it's you again. Is

when I know-he has no clue who

He's new.

he knew, he wouldn't be sitting

smile, and push the door shut behind

doing fine, Doc," I say, my

hesitates, something in my voice making his

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

I nod. "Good."

you just move to this country?"

at. Like I'm annoying him, but he

So Athena is your first

that." His tone

my belt, unbuckling it with ease. His gaze

face,

closer, dragging my fingers along the edge of his desk.

then shakes his head. "I-no. Should

3/5

I smile again. "Figures."

I grab his wrist. Fast.

breath stutters. "What the hell

my fingers digging into

use to touch

clenches. "I don't know

ass, doc. Were you