Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

Chapter 85 ~ The feeling is mutual!

ATHENA

I don't know how long has passed, but it feels like it's been hours.

The air in the elevator feels like it's closing in around me, suffocating. My breath quickens, and every beat of my heart feels like it's being crushed beneath the weight of the darkness, the pressure growing in my chest with every passing second.

I can feel my pulse in my ears, the pounding relentless. It's like I can't breathe.

The tightness in my throat is almost unbearable, and I instinctively grip the rail in front of me, digging my nails into the cold metal, hoping it will anchor me. But nothing helps. The panic is building inside me, a tidal wave crashing in my chest. Get it together, Athena. You're not that girl anymore. You're alive and kicking!

But no matter how many times I try to tell myself that, the memories keep flooding back.

The panic.

The water.

The helplessness.

It feels like I'm being dragged down, pulled into the depths.

I swallow hard, my hands shaking, my fingers cold against the smooth railing.

The darkness is so thick that I feel like I'm drowning in it. Every breath feels like

it's being taken from me, my lungs constricting, my vision blurring.

I think Alex has said something, but I can't seem to make out the words.

But I'm sure whatever he's said is bullshit.

"Shut up, Alex," I whisper, trying to keep my voice steady, trying to force the tears back. "Just... shut up."

For once, he listens because the silence returns, and the longer I stand there, the tighter the walls seem to close in on me.

I feel like I'm slipping away, like I'm about to lose control and be swallowed by the memories again.

The memories of that damn pool. Of the cold water closing over my head, of being helpless, drowning-

A warm, large hand lands on my shoulder, and the touch sends a shock through

me.

No!

escaping my lips, my breath hitching as I instinctively pull away. But

I'm frozen.

blurs, and suddenly, I feel like I'm falling, weightless,

pressure of it pulling me down, the panic clawing at my chest. It's like I

filling the elevator, rushing in, drowning

know how to

blurring my vision. I can't

in my chest, but I won't let it

I can't.

Not here.

Not with him.

Not with Alex.

feels like it's pushing against me, and I feel my body start to tremble, my legs

through the chaos, pulling me back

"Athena."

touch me," I manage to choke out, my voice barely above a whisper.

body is betraying me, trembling, shaking

all.

got you." He says, but it only

He's got me?

got me just so he can drop

you that fight, and you let me drown, Alex. I remember everything." Tears

as I hug

over to me and sits down close to me before pulling me onto his laps and hugging

with me."

all I feel is the

chest as my mind spirals. I wish I could push him away, tell him to leave me

But I don't.

don't because a part of me,no matter how

the edge of the

back, gently rubbing circles as if trying to

low, steady,

Athena. In and out. Focus

uneven, then out,

"Good," Alex says softly.

not afraid because you're a cold, cruel

He chuckles at that.

He freaking chuckles!