Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

Chapter 91 ~ Are you proud?

ATHEN

"Hi mum, Dad."

The words leave my mouth barely above a whisper as I crouch beside the two headstones, brushing away the dried leaves clinging to their bases.

I was given a leave day so I could visit my parents' grave. for their memorial I came here every year and sadly this is the first time I've visited with good news.

Tears blur my vision as I trace my fingers over the engraved names

Elena and Marcus Dawson

My parents.

My everything.

"I'm sorry," I whisper, my voice cracking like brittle glass. "I should've come sooner."

The guilt coils tighter in my chest, like a vice. Last year, I couldn't bring myself to step foot here.

I was drowning in pain, in fear, in the crushing weight of being told I had killed my

own son.

Mum always said to me, but how can

cried myself to sleep, I could hear Dad's voice in my head, stern but kind, telling me to stand tall. I could see Mum's soft

But they aren't here.

I'm so alone.

the trees as if they're responding. My arms wrap around myself

small smile as I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. "It was a

lip, shaking my head with a soft laugh. "You'd be proud," I add, staring at the names carved in stone. "I know you would." "I just wish you were here to hug me." I choke. "I wish I could come home and tell you everything. I wish I wasn't always walking around pretending I'm fine when inside I'm..." My words trail off, swallowed by

slips down my cheek, then another. I don't bother wiping them away. They fall freely now, soaking into the collar of my coat, tracing the curve of my

miss you. God, I

a second, almost believe it's my mum's hand on my shoulder. Or Dad standing beside me, arms crossed, beaming with that quiet pride he always had

so much as grazed my knee," I say, my voice trembling. "And now... now I hold hearts in my hands, and stitch lives back together. You'd

and broken. My knees press into the

properly, folding my legs under me. My fingers trace the letters of their names

"I miss you."

miss everything," I whisper. "Your voices. Your hugs. The way Dad used to hum when he cooked. The way Mum always knew when I was lying...

spill over, warm

do all these incredible things, and I look around, waiting for someone to tell. But you're not

Wherever you are. I hope you

close my eyes for a moment, letting the silence

better now. So, there is no need to worry about me. I love you