Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

Chapter 37 ~ Not attracted

ATHENA

My heart pounds too fast, too loud.

The room feels smaller, the air thick. The sound of rushing fills my ears, deafening, drowning out every other noise. I squeeze my eyes shut, but the feeling doesn't go away.

I can't move.

I can't think.

I can't.... Stand.

"Breathe."

The deep voice cuts through the panic, anchoring me for a fleeting second. Then, warm hands grip my arms, steady but firm. I flinch, my entire body trembling. "Athena, please breathe."

The command is laced with a plea. I shake my head, gasping, clawing at my chest like I can force air back into my lungs. Tears prick my eyes as I try to focus my vision.

"I..t....it's hard, Alex." I croak out.

His hands tighten around me, pulling me against him. "Look at me."

I can't.

The air is too thick, too heavy.

The water is still there.

Watching.

Waiting.

Wanting to swallow me whole once again.

"Damn it, Athena." His grip shifts, his palm pressing against the side of my face,

forcing me to turn toward him. "You're safe. Breathe with me."

Safe.

That word doesn't make sense.

I squeeze my eyes shut, feeling something hot slide down my cheek.

A tear.

Then another.

His forehead presses against mine, his breath steady, controlled.

"In," he whispers.

I try.

"Out."

My chest shudders as I force myself to mimic his breathing, slow and measured. His fingers trace gentle circles on my back, grounding me, pulling me away from whatever invisible force had wrapped around my lungs.

Minutes pass.

anymore. The air

hard, my muscles still

know how long we stay like

but eventually, I manage

don't look at

drop from me, but he doesn't move. He watches, his green eyes unreadable, something

quickly, embarrassed by my

sorry...... I don't know what

A beat of silence.

voice

don't have to

up.

panic that had gripped me

mutter, unable to

He hesitates, then says,

"I'll join you."

and I'm sure they're about to jump out of their socket,

naked before

statement

you and I wasn't impressed." a voice speaks in the back

can't help but wonder if Alex had

marriage that bad? If it is then why did

me out of my gaze and I jerk my gaze

a kid caught looking

He's standing in nothing.

pants, no

My cheeks flash.

undress

wait for my answer. He steps closer, his fingers reaching for the towel still wrapped around my trembling frame. I tense but don't stop him as he pulls it away, his movements controlled, robort like,

me means

No attraction.

Just a chore.

racing as he guides

a careful angle so it

me

chest, he is silent as his large hands move over my arms, washing me with

man is confusing

of flowers and vanilla fills the air, I lean in into the scent as it smells

choice or

got it from-" He pauses like he just

"From who?" I ask.

respond and suddenly the scent starts choking me. A part of me wonders if this showel gel belongs to

Another woman?

as his fingers trail down my

and down my arms. Every

my body doesn't get

coils in my stomach, my

bite my lip as my nipples harden, my body reacting to him

Does he notice?

glance