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

had a

it was

helped, I thought we were past the

kind of darkness must've pulled her straight back into that

at my suit like she

up while it was dark and carried her out. Ryan cleared the way and

that wasn't

her into the master bedroom and barked at Ryan to bring emergency

lit, but at least

you. You're safe," I whisper, pulling her closer, one hand

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

these when I want to go back into prison and strangle the

around. If only I hadn't left

that unless you make a time machine and go back in the

you still hope. If only becomes your

regret. Nothing I do can ever make up for how I failed

lights flicker back

jaw tightens. I'm going to bury whoever caused this. Whether it was

my thumb along her cheek. "You're not there anymore. You're here.

lips parting as

I'm In your arms then I must be dead and

help the smirk that tugs at

my arms are hell, I

eyes is

loosens, just a

"You're arrogant."

recovering,"

of lying down. Her breathing's steadier now, though she still looks a little dazed. She brushes her palms down her dress and lifts her chin, like she's trying to gather the pieces

me like I'm

"I'm not," I lie.

again, but then she looks down at her lap. Her