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?"

certain events. Trauma like this can also trigger long-term psychological effects." He studies me for a moment before continuing. "Right now, she's disoriented. She

Disoriented.

grip the back of

"What psychological effects?"

exhales, glancing at the file again before

oxygen to

simple terms, Confusion. Possible difficulty recalling certain

It's hard to say how severe it is until she

"When will that be?"

vitals are stable, and she's breathing on her own, which is a good sign. But trauma like this...

grit my teeth. "And when

Patel studies me for a moment

has memory issues, pushing too hard could make things worse.

I narrow my eyes.

may develop PTSD. Claustrophobia, panic attacks—especially in enclosed spaces or around

I nod.

what to do with that information. She was studying to be a surgeon, she will be heartbroken when something goes wrong and I can't for the life of me handle

know about how severe her condition is. Only you will attend to her, and you can't tell her

"Mr. King-"

her if she will still be struggling. For now, let's just focus on

sighs, sitting back in his chair, but he understands I'm not asking and if word goes out I won't be kind

"I understand."

is rough from all the emotions

Patel nods.

be gentle with

on my heel and head for

nearly brings

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

My chest tightens.

This is my fault.

her. Because I didn't go back

was wrong.

step closer, my fingers curling around the cold metal rail of the