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?"

for a moment before continuing. "Right now, she's disoriented. She woke up briefly but didn't seem fully aware of where she was. That's normal,

Disoriented.

of a chair,

"What psychological effects?"

the file

were concerns about hypoxia-lack of oxygen to the brain-which can sometimes cause memory impairment. She may

Confusion. Possible difficulty recalling certain

incident or even from her past. It's hard to say how severe

"When will that be?"

are stable, and she's breathing on her own, which is a good sign. But trauma like this... it's unpredictable. She could wake up in an hour, or it could take

my teeth. "And when she

Patel studies me for

pushing too hard could make things worse. And one

I narrow my eyes.

she may develop PTSD. Claustrophobia, panic

I nod.

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

keep this between us? No one should know about how severe her condition is. Only

"Mr. King-"

it. 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 be

"I understand."

voice is rough from all the emotions I'm trying

Patel nods.

312. Just... be gentle with her,

turn on my heel and

of her nearly brings

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

My chest tightens.

This is my fault.

her. Because I didn't go

was wrong.

around the cold metal rail of the