Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

ATHENA

"Mummy you just have to come with Daddy. My friends will laugh at me!" Rayen holds onto my hand as he pouts.

I sigh as I lift him in my arms and shower his cute face with kisses.

"Baby, Daddy will be busy." I lie.

But he shakes his head.

"No he won't. Daddy is never too busy for me. He comes to every school event. But can't you join him this year?"

His eyes widen as he cups my cheeks in his tiny hands. "Please, Mummy? Just this once?"

I hug him tighter, burying my face in his soft curls to hide the guilt clawing at my chest.

If only he understood how complicated things really were between me and Alex.

But how do I explain that to a three-year-old who still sees the world in black and white?

"Sweetheart," I whisper, brushing his hair back. "Mummy just... can't."

His face falls. The pout returns, deeper this time, but it's the sadness in his eyes that does me in.

"You don't love Daddy anymore? Is that why you won't let us stay together?" he asks quietly.

My heart stops.

I force a smile, even as my vision blurs for a second. "No that's not it."

"I wish I could show my friends I have a mummy. They laugh at me, saying, Aunt Leah is my Mummy, and she's in prison."

A sharp pain shoots through my chest as anger seethes through me.

I stroke his hair, my arms tightening around him instinctively.

"Who told you that?”

real mummies are not allowed to come on the camping trip. And I want to go. He said his mummy told him

clenches so tight it hurts. Blood roars in my ears, drowning out every

her child to

mock another child, to mock my son for something he doesn't

rage rise in my throat like bile. Not just at Liam's mother

For letting this happen.

it did was make him feel alone. I kept my distance to avoid questions, but I

kiss to Rayen's forehead, holding him as if I could shield him from every cruel word the world

"Baby, look at me."

pulls back slightly, his eyes red and his bottom lip

"You're not going

so pure and sweet it guts

sweetheart. And if anyone says something mean again, you tell them the truth, that your mummy is a doctor, not a prisoner. And if that doesn't

sniffles, and I smile as I wipe his

mummy, I didn't let them see me cry. I'm pretty strong like

I laugh.

you are. Now come on, strong guy, come help

I have to? I really don't like the kitchen!" He

you survive on your own if

kitchen when

hold back

from

I can't hold

me during my

way his

grounding me when

and

like it was caving in.

me like I was

for a heartbeat, I forgot everything

I forgot the pain.

The betrayal.

The lies.

forgot how