Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

ALEX

I glance at her. She's staring out the window again, her voice light like she's

making a joke, but she's not smiling. Which means she's seriously thinking this through.

She just looks... tired. Fragile. Far away. I bet she doesn't even realize what she's said.

But I do.

My hands tighten around the wheel.

My throat dries out, and for a moment, I forget how to breathe.

She thinks I'm him.

She thinks I'm that fucker Zayan.

Just what has he been doing that has made her want to be with him. Even my stupid cousin doesn't come this close.

Is that why she allowed me to hug her?

I want to say something, correct her. But the words get lodged in my throat like glass shards.

If I tell her the truth right now, if I remind her of who I am. Won't that bring back everything she just went through... would I be helping her or hurting her more?

Thinking this whole thing through, I decide it's best to stay silent as I continue to drive.

But as the silence stretches, the pain sharpens, like a blade twisting slowly in my chest.

They say breaking bones is the worst kind of pain.

They're wrong.

They've clearly never heard the woman they love whisper another man's name in her most vulnerable moment.

Love.

Is this what it feels like?

A burning feeling which squeezes your heart so tight, it feels like you'll never breathe right again.

I grit my teeth and keep my eyes on the road, like that'll stop the storm inside me.

She shifts beside me, tugging the blanket higher. I should say something. Anything. But all that comes out is silence.

I wish I could hate Zayan right now. I wish I could blame this on him completely.

But a part of me knows he was there when I wasn't. He stood by her when I pushed her away.

Still, that name coming from her lips...

It's a fucking stab to my heart.

I've never been so fucking jealous of anyone like I am of him right now.

head back

you for coming to get

mouth, the truth will come

she has left holding her

now, she needs

Not confusion.

Not pain.

Not me.

grip the wheel harder.

do anything for

of

take a turn through a familiar street past the neon lights until I reach the little takeout place she always

shocked I rembered it so

I used to be when she asked me to

funny thing

hated it then, but I'd do anything to have her ask me to bring

and that stupidly spicy soup that makes her nose run but somehow

with the engine still running and the heat on low. She's curled up under the blanket, her lips slightly

so beautiful it

waiting for my order, I rush into the boutique next door and buy some

shop done in less

car with the food still warm in its bag and the scent

filling the car.

twitches slightly when I set it on the seat

doesn't wake

start the engine and drive to her

reach the

stirs as I carry the bag of food in one hand and unlock her door with the

the apartment key

her gently on the couch

a quick hot bath since you were

you?"

with me?" I ask her, keeping my voice leveled even though jealousy is

course not." She says and I smile, releasing the breath I

Good girl.

me get your

the taps, while adjusting the temperature just how she likes it, steamy but not

lavender stuff she keeps under the sink and pour a bit

the

all this, I realize I know so much about her

like my heart

is now

out, she's sitting cross-legged,

ready," I

up at me, her

"Thanks...."

But as she walks past, I almost say

already bathed you before. No