ALEX

I find myself drawn to say something, something for my mother, for my Nonna. But mostly... mostly for the mother of my son.

Athena.

As I rise, glass in hand, I feel all eyes shift toward me. But none of them matter except hers.

My gaze finds her.

She's already crying, smiling, and beautiful in that way that makes my chest tighten. And yet, I know I've been the cause of so many of her tears before.

The wrong kind. Not the ones she has on right now. Those tears are for what my mum and Nonna said.

When she looks at me, her eyes are full of hatred.

My heart aches when I think about the terrible things I said to her. The unforgivable things. The look in her eyes when I told her she meant nothing. She killed her own child and forced her to sign the divorce papers. That day will forever haunt me.

Honestly, she must be an angel to even look me in the eye now. To be civil. To laugh. To sit at the same table as me after everything.

It must be tough, having to see my face and be reminded of my harsh words. And yet... she's still here.

Despite it all.

I don't deserve her forgiveness. But that won't stop me from trying to earn it.

I don't know why, but I've made up my mind. I've decided to make it my mission to make her happy again. To see her smile like she used to six years ago. The way she'd light up a whole room without even trying.


I owe her that much. No. I owe her more.

tightens as I raise

I clear my

the hell

It's just a speech.

of presidents and powerful men without flinching. But now, my palms are sweating, and my

for the first time, I'm about to speak from

it makes me uneasy but I have to do

glance at Nonna. She

her eyes. Dad has a

move my gaze and hold Athena's

such short

from


take a

surrounded by strength. By women who've nurtured, protected, and

eyes flick to

being our foundation. For being the fire behind

to my

I appreciate you not giving up on us

And finally... Athena.

room who

dips, tight

"Athena..."

wide, her lips parted like she wasn't expecting me to say

But I keep going.

received, our son. You were robbed of two years of being his mother but somehow found yourself being part of

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