Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

Chapter 104 ~ Did you tell anyone?

ATHENA

"22nd October." The words echo in my mind like a depressing song on a loop.

My baby was born on the 22nd of September.

Which means... Rayen isn't mine." Not biologically. Not by blood.

God, I feel like such a fool.

I shouldn't have come. I should've stayed away like I promised myself I would. But

I saw the ambulance that day, saw the way Alex held him, panic written all over his face. Something broke in me. Something deep and aching.

Maybe it was guilt. Maybe it was that stupid glimmer of hope I've been secretly nursing like a wound that never healed.

And that damn birthmark.

"We even have the same hair color!" Rayen's happy voice rings at the back of my head, making my eyes sting.

I wrap my arms tightly around myself.

I was so hopeful.

I'm so sure there was a reason I felt that pull to Rayen every time I saw him. The way he'd cling to me. The way I knew how to soothe his cries like I'd done it a hundred times before.

But it was just in my head. It's just a cruel coincidence.

Wishful thinking.

And Alex... the way he looked at me, the way he held me... it messed everything up.

Because no matter how hard I try, I can't stop loving the man who tore me apart. The jealousy in his eyes and how he looked like he wanted to rip Noah's head off reminds me of that night I danced with Zayan.

I don't know why he behaved like that.

"I can hear you thinking." Noah's deep voice pulls me back to his car.

"Am I that obvious?" I sigh, not having the strength in me to pretend.

"What were you doing with Alex, Athena?"

stare out the window, the sun glowing over the

well

"Athena?"

tears burning at the

don't know," I admit softly. "Making

right away. The silence stretches, heavy with the weight of words

asks, making me realize that he's misinterpreted my statement, but that sounds better

my heart jumps as if calling me out on

don't owe him anything, Athena," Noah says finally. "Not your thoughts. Not your pain. And definitely not

but they hit hard, like gentle truths dressed

my hands,

Another pause.

the console, brushing lightly over

seeing you

have until your

take a look

"Two hours."

says at the same time, my stomach rumbles, making me sink

vibrates with laughter, "I

burying my face in my hands. "That was

it's cute." He laughs, making me

into a

with ivy climbing the brick walls and soft jazz

Our usual hiding spot.

when I was still in school.

for me.

coffee and warm pastries, and

window, the morning sun

filled with

waitress brings over menus, but Noah doesn't

"You want the usual?"

him.

his lips tugging into a lopsided

a lame pick-up line." I

jokes into our breakfast, Noah's laughter fades, and

asks softly, his

"Yeah. I'm just

what I