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.

as

uhm..." I clear

the hell am

It's just a speech.

my palms are sweating, and my heart is thudding so loudly

the first time, I'm

makes me uneasy but I have to do

Nonna. She gives me the

shock filled in her eyes. Dad has a small

move my gaze and hold Athena's gaze, tuning everyone

you all for joining us on such short

from my living room!" Nonna complains, making everyone


the silence returns, I take a deep

who've nurtured, protected, and

flick

my Nonna, thank you for being our foundation. For being the fire behind our family. You've always stood up, even when your body begged you to

turn to

and patience even when we fell out, I appreciate you not giving up on us until we were a true family

And finally... Athena.

one woman in this room who I

dips, tight

"Athena..."

lips parted like she

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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