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.

bathroom isn't suffocating anymore. The

muscles still tense, but the worst has

how long we stay

but eventually, I manage to pull

look at

move. He watches, his green eyes

my face quickly, embarrassed by

sorry...... I don't

A beat of silence.

his voice is

have

nod, pushing myself up. My legs are unsteady, my body

the panic that had

take a shower," I mutter, unable to meet his

He hesitates, then says,

"I'll join you."

eyes widen, and I'm sure they're about to jump out of their socket, "What?

seen you naked before

pause. That statement

wasn't impressed." a voice speaks in

but wonder if

bad? If it is then why did

voice snaps me out of my gaze and I jerk my gaze away

a kid caught looking

He's standing in nothing.

no boxers, just

My cheeks flash.

undress

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,

touching me

No attraction.

Just a chore.

pulse racing as he guides me

a careful angle so it doesn't touch

stands behind me

he is silent as his large hands move over my arms,

is confusing as

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

or you

time to shop yet. I got it from-" He pauses like he just caught himself from saying what shouldn't be

"From who?" I ask.

scent starts choking me. A part of me

Another woman?

wraps around me as his fingers

and down my arms. Every touch is delicate and

body doesn't

in my stomach, my skin

as my nipples harden, my

Does he notice?

a glance over my