Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

Chapter 33~ Who are you?

Alex

"She's alive." The nurse responds and I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

"Can I see her?" I ask immediately, not wanting to waste another second. A part of me feels like I'm being pranked and can't really be relieved unless I see and touch her.

"Yes, but first I suggest you speak to the doctor." The nurse responds and I nod.

"Where is the doctor?" My voice is barely steady, impatient. I don't have time for formalities.

The nurse motions toward a hallway. "Dr. Patel is in his office. Down the hall, third door on the right."

I'm already moving before she finishes speaking. My legs feel heavy, my pulse still hammering, but I push forward.

When I reach it, the door is slightly ajar, so I don't bother knocking. I push it open, stepping inside. The doctor looks up from a file, his eyes widening behind his glasses.

"Mr. King, why are you here personally? Did something happen?" He stands from his seat.

I don't even know the man and he already knows me. Sometimes, I detest being so known.

"Please, sit doctor. I'm here for Athena Dawson."

His eyes widen,

"She was brought in some hours ago. Is she someone you know?"

"Yes. How is she?"

"She's stable," Dr. Patel says, and I exhale sharply. But then he adds, "Physically, she's out of immediate danger. However, she was underwater for a prolonged period. We're monitoring for any complications, including secondary drowning or neurological effects."

Neurological effects.

My stomach twists.

"What does that mean?"

a moment before

Disoriented.

grip the back of a chair,

"What psychological effects?"

glancing at the file again

extended period, there were concerns about hypoxia-lack of oxygen to the

terms, Confusion. Possible difficulty recalling certain events leading

hard to say how severe it is

"When will that be?"

is a good sign. But trauma like this... it's unpredictable. She could

grit my teeth.

Patel studies me for a moment

If she has memory issues, pushing too hard could make things worse. And one

I narrow my eyes.

PTSD. Claustrophobia, panic attacks—especially in enclosed

I nod.

will be heartbroken when something goes wrong and I

is. Only you

"Mr. King-"

When the time is right, I'll tell her if she will still be struggling. For now, let's just focus on

not asking and if word goes out I won't

"I understand."

I see her now?" My voice is rough from all the emotions I'm trying to

Patel nods.

be

respond. I just turn on my heel and head for her

her nearly

in the hospital bed, her dark hair damp, strands sticking to her pale skin. An IV is hooked into her arm, the steady beep of the

My chest tightens.

This is my fault.

because I left her. Because I didn't go back when I

was wrong.

step closer, my fingers curling around the cold metal