Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

Chapter 68 ~ News

ALEX

I don't know how long I've been pacing outside the hospital room. Minutes?

Hours? Time doesn't feel real when you're forced to wait.

My hands clench into fists, then relax, only to clench again.

Every few seconds, I hear her.

Athena.

Her voice, raw with pain, broke through the walls that separate us. Each sound she makes feels like a blade against my skin, cutting deeper and deeper.

And I can't do anything about it.

I run a hand through my hair, exhaling sharply. The sterile hospital air does nothing to settle the weight in my chest.

I've faced a lot of things in my life, fights, failures, and loss, but nothing prepared me for this kind of helplessness.

When I first stepped into that room, she told me to leave. And for the first time, I actually listened.

Because I saw it in her eyes. The anger. The frustration. The pain.

She didn't want me there.

And maybe... maybe she was right.

Maybe I don't deserve to be in that room with her.

But I can't leave, either. So I stand here, listening, waiting, feeling every damn second like it's a lifetime.

The only comfort I have is that we will both be smiling after this. We are going to be parents and fuck, my heart is about to burst with joy.

The doors open and mum and dad rush forward. Mum kisses my cheek before placing my head between her hands.

"I'm so proud of you." She kisses me again but I shake my head at that.

"Athena is doing all the work. What can I get her as a push present?"

I know it's not the best time but I've been thinking about it. It's just that everytime I want to go through with it, I'm hit with more pictures of her and Zayan and it makes my heart boil.

Earlier when she walked in, I had received a text from Arnold. I was going to ignore it until I saw what he had attached.

I was losing my mind and all I could see was red. So I canceled my plans to go through the options and rush home only to confirm that she wasn't home.

ears, bringing me

encouragement but it doesn't work even though I

and I seize the opportunity standing with

is she?" My voice is

nurse says with a small, tight smile. But

pain." I

Dad calls me, a silent Warning to watch

is painful," mum says gently rubbing my arm, "But she's strong and will need

Strong.

I know that better than anyone. Athena is one of the strongest people I've ever met. But that doesn't mean I want

My throat tightens. "Can I see

her head. "Not

nod stiffly, swallowing down my frustration as

try not to think. Try not to imagine the worst. But

And then-

The atmosphere suddenly changes.

rushing in and out. Not sparing a glance at us and It

nurse to the side, "What is going

nurse gives her an apologetic look and rushes

feel my knees become weak. My stomach twists, a sickening dread curling around my ribs, tightening with every

whispering reassurances neither of us believe. Dad stands still, his

the

his mask.

hesitation when he speaks.

"She's stable."

rushes out

give

it's short-lived, burning out just as fast as it

can see it in his face. The way his lips press

stiff with something

voice is barely above

gaze flickering away before he meets

says softly, but it feels like a hammer to my chest. "The baby was

inside me

noise in the hospital, the movement around me, it all fades into

Stillborn.

No tiny hands grasping my

Nothing.

hand flying to her mouth, and I hear Dad inhale sharply.

I can't think.

talking, but his words don't

We made