Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

Chapter 95 ~ A drug

ATHENA

We're standing by the SUV, the chill of the parking lot wrapping around us as I try to steady my breathing. My heart is still racing from the awkwardness with Alex and Rayen, and honestly, I'm more than ready to put some distance between myself and the whole embarrassing scene. But Isabelle isn't letting me off the hook.

"You'll be forgiven as soon as you tell me what the hell is going on between you two."

I glance over at her, my hands fidgeting with the strap of my purse. How do I even begin?

"What do you mean?" I try to play it off, but I know she can see right through me.

She doesn't say anything at first. She just raises an eyebrow, like I'm the most obvious person in the world. Isabelle isn't dumb, and she's no stranger to uncomfortable situations.

"I mean," she leans against the SUV, crossing her arms, "you two obviously have some history. And you don't go from being... whatever that was just now, to not having some serious unresolved stuff going on."

I sigh, glancing around the lot like the cars will suddenly offer me an escape. The truth is, I've been running from it for so long, but with Isabelle here, suddenly, it feels like talking about it is not such a bad idea.

Isabelle sighs, "He's not really insane is he?"

I laugh.

"Oh he is insane alright."

gives me

grabs a bottle of water while waiting

all I say

the strength

heard about the contract marriage stuff, right?" I start, my voice soft. Isabelle's eyes widen in surprise,

guys married for some business reason?" she asks, still trying

slowly, my chest tightening as I remember the

love. I mean, I loved him, and he loves someone else. But his family didn't accept

explain everything to her, and honestly, the more I speak, the lighter my chest feels. Like I've been carrying a burden

gears turning in

hard. "Yeah, only the family knows. And after everything that happened... I'm

"That's... that's a lot to go through, Athena. I'm

empathy. Isabelle steps closer to me, placing a hand on my arm. "I'm not saying you need to figure it aft out right now. But you do need to

know if I'll ever be okay with everything. But

in the meantime, I'm here. For whatever you need.

this time more genuinely. "I know. Thank you, Isabelle. I'm really lucky to have

pats my arm before

and Mr. Hot & and cold over

my heart a little lighter as we