Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

ALEX

I don't like anyone having an advantage over me, so I did some digging and found something interesting.

Apparently, Arnold's been walking around proud because he's backed by Elias Quinn. They call him Elias's second son.

Since lann doesn't have siblings, I'm guessing Arnold was adopted in some unofficial way and groomed like a loyal dog to serve Quinn's interests.

His path has always been power. Politics, control, manipulation. But he's a dumb fuck, using women and children as leverage.

And that kind of filth?

That just makes me sick.

When I saw his name on the guest list, I told myself he'd be smart enough to keep his distance. But then I watched him approach my wife and I got flashbacks to one of my worst days.

She met Arnold and Zayan on that day. If I could turn back the time, I would.

Athena isn't the same woman they remember. She's fire now, sharp-tongued and fierce. I watched her threaten Luca with a straight face. Luca intimidates grown men and men of power so seeing that made me so fucking proud.

But even as I saw her stand tall, something inside me twisted.

The urge to protect her never went away. It never will.

I had lan give her the ticket for two reasons.

She must have figured it by now. But seeing her in the dress I chose, I believe she doesn't know I was involved.

It was tacky but that was the only way she would accept my gift. Seeing her walk away from me made my heart twist in pain. She looks so beautiful keeping my hands to myself is so fucking hard.

But then the lights went out.

Exactly five minutes. Long enough to trigger chaos. Long enough to ruin everything.

Someone's getting fired, that is if they're not smart enough to resign first.

I was clear when I said nothing could go wrong tonight. And yet here I am, blood

holding Athena in my arms as she

a panic

like it was

thought the therapy sessions helped, I thought we

pulled

Her nails clawed at my suit like she couldn't

I just moved. Scooped her up while it was dark and carried her out. Ryan

own the building so that wasn't exactly hard

and barked at Ryan to bring emergency

not completely lit, but at least

safe," I whisper, pulling her

it. Her eyes are open but unfocused, like she's trapped in a place I can't reach. I hate it.

go back into prison

If only I had turned around. If only I hadn't left her alone. Then maybe I could

up in ways you can't explain. You know that unless you make a time machine

hope. If only becomes your

regret. Nothing I do can ever

flicker

to bury whoever caused this. Whether it was a

continue to murmur, brushing my thumb along her cheek. "You're not there anymore.

blinks rapidly, lips parting as a small

In your arms then I must be dead and in

help the smirk that tugs at

think my arms are hell, I clearly need to work on

scoffs, but the sparkle in her eyes is returning. That tight

just

"You're arrogant."

recovering," I

steadier now, though she still looks a little

me like I'm breakable,"

"I'm not," I lie.

but then she looks