Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

Chapter 80 ~ Earned it!

ATHENA

Looks of pity.

I detest them—and I'd rather not receive any.

They feel like quiet judgments wrapped in sympathy. Like everyone's saying, "poor Athena", without ever opening their mouths.

Noah and Sloane have been so quiet, I didn't even realize they were still in the

room.

It's only when I feel the warm weight of a jacket settle over my shoulders that I notice Noah beside me.

He doesn't say much. He never does when I'm hurting. But the way his eyes soften, the way he avoids looking at Alex's direction, says everything.

He's angry and is having a hard time keeping that in check.

"Let me drive you home," he murmurs.

"I'll come with you," Sloane says, stepping forward. But Noah shakes his head.

"Stick around. Keep me updated."

A flicker of protest dances across her face, but then I give her a small, tired smile. "I'll call you."

She nods, and I can tell she wants to say something more but doesn't.

I step over to Ariana and pull her into a brief hug, then turn to Giana.

She looks... spent. Like every last ounce of strength has been drained from her bones. She sits on the couch, her expression so far away, her eyes glistening.

A pang of guilt stabs me in the chest.

Alex has always been careful to shield her from stress. To keep his demons behind a well-mannered front when she was near.

he shattered

saw him for who

I did that.

at least I was the match that lit

Noah says softly, guiding me to the door with a hand at my

wraps around me like a second

Eli do to his

stirred

fresh wave of guilt slams into

I shouldn't have come. Maybe I should've let the past

remember what caused me

I had every right to

six months

"Congratulations, Dawson! You've

this hospital!" Dr. Lin says, her voice filled with pride as she hands

letter confirming my promotion.

"PGY-2. You've earned it."

the conference room, but it's a gentle, respectful kind, not loud or

and kicking was allowed, I would have already been on the top of my lungs from

first time in over a year that my heart

and nod, thanking them, my fingers tightening slightly

just paper.

But to me?

sweat, and

of

the bathroom when

in the

girl Alex tried

the woman they

But Athena Dawson.

it, I earned

ree

helped me a lot. At first, I was afraid and ashamed