Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

Chapter 67 ~ Cry in the room?

ATHENA

I don't know how we get to the hospital or how I find myself in the VIP room. But all I know is I'm suddenly on the bed with an IV on my hand.

Those G****e searches I did about how labor occurs didn't prepare me enough for this.

I groan as the world spins while the contractions come in waves, slow at first, like an approaching storm.

I grip the bedsheets, my breathing uneven as the dull ache in my lower back sharpens. The nurse moves around the room, checking the monitors, speaking in a calm voice, but her words blur into the background.

"You're only three centimeters dilated," she says, offering me an encouraging smile. "We still have a long way to go."

How encouraging. I grimace.

Three.

I exhale sharply, frustration mixing with the discomfort. Every second feels like an eternity.

Alex stands by the bed, watching me, his arms crossed. The usual arrogance in his expression is gone, replaced by something unreadable. Concern? Guilt? I don't care. I don't want him here.

I feel a different kind of rage inside me. I love this baby, but I can't help feeling like he is the one causing this pain.

"Get out," I mutter, squeezing my eyes shut as another contraction rolls through me, the pressure intensifying.

He frowns. "Athena -"

"Out," I snap, my voice hoarse but loud enough, despite the pain twisting in my belly. "I don't want you here, Alex."

His jaw clenches, his green eyes darkening, but after a moment, he nods.

"I'll be outside."

Without another word, he turns and strides out of the room, closing the door behind him.

The second he's gone, I release a shaky breath, my body slumping against the pillows.

Time moves strangely slow.

rushed. The contractions are still far apart, manageable but persistent, each one lasting about thirty to forty seconds. The pain starts in my lower back and spreads forward, a dull tightening that makes me

to breathe through it, like the nurse suggests, but it's

position I try, sitting, lying down, and even pacing around

to try the birthing

shake my head. I just want

I'm only four centimeters

going

being told it's 7

I clutch the sheets, panting through

through me, stronger than the last. My body tenses instinctively, fighting against it, but the nurse

she says gently. "Tensing up

hell am I supposed to relax when it feels like my insides are

sweat coats my forehead. My gown sticks to my skin, my hair damp at the nape of my neck. The pressure in my

moan through another contraction,

longer?" I

checks me again. "You're eight centimeters now. You're progressing

Eight.

number echoes inside my head. I've never hated counting so badly. But knowing what will come out of this. How i'll be holding my precious little angel, it makes all

lifetime, yet I still

great, Athena," the

don't feel great. I feel like I'm

becomes unbearable now. It feels like my bones are being pried open, my pelvis stretching beyond its limit. A raw scream

arching off the bed.

do this," I sob, my vision swimming.

says firmly, gripping my hand. "You're

Almost.

the doctor

"One more to go."

brushes damp hair from my face.

Am I?