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!

my lips, my breath hitching as

I'm frozen.

everything blurs, and suddenly, I feel

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

the

how to stop

to my eyes, blurring my vision.

sob rise in my chest, but I won't let it

I can't.

Not here.

Not with him.

Not with Alex.

I

through the chaos, pulling

"Athena."

to choke out, my

body is betraying me,

all.

says, but it only makes

He's got me?

so

walked out on me. I called for you that fight, and you let me drown, Alex. I remember everything." Tears that I've

out as I hug

hands to himself either. He walks over to me and sits down close to me before pulling me onto his laps and hugging

with me." He

embrace is strong and warm, but all I feel is the crushing

heart hammering in my chest as my mind spirals. I wish I could push him away, tell him to leave me alone, to get his hands off

But I don't.

matter how much I hate it, craves the comfort

way his arms secure me, keeping me grounded, pulling me back from the edge of the abyss where my mind is racing, spinning out of

rubbing

voice is low,

me, Athena. In and out.

in, shaky and uneven, then out, feeling the tension in my chest

"Good," Alex says softly.

you're a cold, cruel man."

He chuckles at that.

He freaking chuckles!