Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

Chapter 23 ~ A perfect future doesn't exist

Chapter 23 - A perfect future doesn't exist

Athena

2

"Ohhh, I'm so glad you're better, my baby. I'm sorry I couldn't be with you as you checked out. Something came up,” Giana says from her hospital bed, her warm smile easing some of the tension in my chest. I laugh softly. "I can see that."

She looks tired but still elegant, her silver hair neatly pinned back, her frail hands resting on the blanket. The monitors beep steadily beside her and my heart aches for her.

I sit beside her, reaching for her hand. She squeezes mine gently.

"I was worried about you," she says.

I glance down, swallowing the lump in my throat. "I'm fine, granny."

Her green eyes study me, the way only she can. "Liar."

I force a smile. "I learned from the best."

She chuckles, but there's sadness in it.

"That boy of mine... he loves you in his own way, you know. I know you two feel like

we had to force it upon you, but I trust my instinct. And it says you two make a perfect match."

I don't answer.

My heart swells as the

words from yesterday echo. He wished I had split my skull open just so I could save him the trouble and

time for him to marry the love of his life.

That doesn't sound like a perfect match to me.

After a little while, I

help adjust her pillows, making sure she's comfortable. She tries to keep me there longer, but Alex enters.

"How's my favourite lady?" He walks over to her with a smile on his face.

It's not the first time I've seen him smile. He always pulls his walls down around his mother and grandmother. How can someone who loves his mama and Nana so much be so cold?

Or is it me that repels him?

I watch as he

leans forward and places a soft kiss on her forehead. She smiles at him while placing her weak hands on each side of

his face.

"You're going to be okay. I've made some calls. You'll get a transplant soon."

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"I'm 70, Alex. I'm tired. I don't want a transplant."

Alex's eyes are filled with fear and it's the first time I've seen

that feeling in his eyes.

"Nana." He warns.

"I want to see you two become parents. If you want me to get a transplant, then have a baby." She argues and Alex locks his jaw.

I hold my breath.

him. I know

I feel about that. That's not fair."

me, "My dear Athena, can

my wheelchair out, but as I close the door, her next words stop

been meeting that Leah girl in

and focus on your wife. Alex." Her

is now hard.

perfect match. I simply met

look

I love you more

not there. I'm

places another kiss on

a child. I want to

once she is done with school, we

is lying with a

had this

not be lying,

wait to hear Alex's

away from the door,

metal, my

It shouldn't hurt.

knew I know-that I mean nothing to him. That this marriage is just a

paper, a deal sealed with ink

not love.

hearing him speak, like we're so in love, does something to

with a straight face

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A child?

laugh at

weak moments

was

never used a condom but he always pulled out.

That told me exactly what I needed to

don't stop moving

reach the waiting area, my breaths shallow. The walls feel like they're closing in, the

sit in the waiting area, my fingers digging

armrests of the wheelchair as I stare blankly at the pale hospital walls. The scent of chemicals in the air burns my

compared to the ache hollowing out my

A child?

I laugh again—

glances from nurses passing by. The absurdity of Alex's lie still echoes in my mind. He spoke so

nature to him. To weave a fantasy of a perfect

that doesn't

eyes finally snap to reality and I notice Ryan is waiting near

glances up when he

go,

Mrs King.

sends a bitter taste in my

can answer,

Alex.

don't look at him, but I

moves closer. His presence is

even without a

single word.

"We're leaving," he says.

let him wheel me forward. But as we reach

in his posture, his grip tightening on

just like

"Ryan, take her home."

Three words. Dismissive. Detached.

him, but he's already walking away. Not a glance, not

hesitation.