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.

reaches my ears, bringing me back to

as a silent encouragement but it doesn't work even though

nurse comes out to get something, and I seize the opportunity standing with mum next to

voice is rough,

nurse says with a small,

pain." I

a silent Warning to watch

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

Strong.

better than anyone. Athena is one of the strongest people

throat tightens. "Can I

hesitates, then shakes her head.

down my

not to think. Try not to imagine the worst.

And then-

The atmosphere suddenly changes.

sparing a glance at us and It doesn't

to the side, "What is

gives her an apologetic look and rushes out

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

neither of us believe. Dad stands still, his jaw tight, his

the door

doctor steps out, pulling down his mask. His expression

hesitation when he speaks.

"She's stable."

out of me so

give out. Relief

short-lived, burning out just as fast as it

in his

stiff with something

voice is barely above a

hesitates, his gaze flickering away before he meets mine

he says softly, but it feels like a hammer to my chest.

me goes

me, it all fades into

Stillborn.

tiny hands grasping my fingers.

Nothing.

gasps beside me, her hand flying to her mouth, and I hear Dad inhale sharply. But

I can't think.

doctor keeps talking, but his words don't

months. We made plans. Had