Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

Chapter 106 ~ Can you help me?

ATHENA

"Dr. Dawson!" Rayen wriggles out of Alex's arms the moment he spots me and dashes toward me with a wide grin.

It took a long time to get him to stop calling me mummy and just call me Dr. Dawson, but after a few explanations he gave in.

I can't lie. Seeing him hurts me, but he's just an innocent boy who finds my presence warming.

How can I push him away?

I barely have time to brace myself before he flings his arms around my waist, nearly knocking the wind out of me.

"Rayen," I breathe, crouching to hug him back tightly. "You're supposed to be in school."

He pulls back just enough to pout. "I told Daddy I wouldn't stop crying until he brought me to see you."

I glance up at Alex, who's now stopped a few feet away, hands in his pockets, watching quietly with unreadable eyes.

"He's very persistent," Alex says.

I rise slowly, my heart still a chaotic mess after everything lan just told me.

"Hey," Alex says softly once Rayen skips off toward the nurses' desk. "You okay?"

I nod, too quickly. "Yeah. Fine. Just got out of a meeting with lan."

He tilts his head, studying me. "You sure you're fine?"

"I said I'm fine,” I snap more harshly than I intend. My walls are back up, brick by brick.

His brows knit together. "Athena-"

"You should go," I cut him off before I let the tremble in my voice betray me." I've got rounds."

"Dr. Dawson, do you hate me?" A sad little voice makes me halt my steps as I look around the busy hospital and walk back towards him.

"No sweetie. I'd never hate you. It's just that this place is full of gems. A baby like you shouldn't be here." I try to explain gently, but the little man gives me a frown.

"I'm not a baby."

laugh before pulling his tiny hands in mine, "How about we meet somewhere

birthday party next week. Can you help

come

at me, and I don't want her to be angry.

clenches, caught between the tenderness in Rayen's eyes and the chaos of everything spinning around

not like that very much, Rayen. Why not do it with Aunt Sloane. She's

down, his small

cheek, forcing

he is doing to me what he wants. To break my heart and trap me in

This isn't my place.

isn't my child.

promise anything, but

I can he

and there," I

curl off his

forehead. "How about that

up like

can you join

clears his throat behind us, clearly

"Sure buddy. I can."

rise slowly

when she finds out,"

between amusement

know," I reply just as quietly. "I'll find a

something raw in his eyes and

corner of

"Good luck with that."

laugh at the sarcasm in

my way of kicking them out so I can start my

to hold the door

"Hi Ryan."

off so he can

only brought Rayen to see me right after

today," I begin, my throat

pulls his keys out before finding my gaze