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?"

processing 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 woke up briefly

Disoriented.

of a

"What psychological effects?"

exhales, glancing at the file again before meeting

concerns about hypoxia-lack of oxygen to the brain-which can sometimes

Confusion. Possible difficulty recalling certain events leading

hard to say how severe it is

"When will that be?"

a good sign. But trauma like this... it's unpredictable. She could wake up in an hour, or

teeth. "And when

me for a moment

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

I narrow my eyes.

her drowning, she may develop PTSD. Claustrophobia, panic attacks—especially in enclosed

I nod.

She was studying to be a surgeon, she will be heartbroken when something goes

No one should know about how severe her condition is.

"Mr. King-"

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

he understands I'm not asking and if word goes out I won't be kind

"I understand."

My voice is rough

Patel nods.

room 312. Just... be gentle with

just turn on my heel and head for

nearly brings

strands sticking to her pale skin. An IV is hooked into her arm, the steady beep of the monitors the

My chest tightens.

This is my fault.

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

was wrong.

curling around the cold metal