Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

ATHENA

[A rose for every day I wronged you. I love you baby, please take me back.]

I stare at the small card with my mouth open.

What time did he arrange this?

I look around, and the floor is covered in red roses. Petals trail from the door to

the bed, some scattered in messy little bunches, others lying so perfectly they almost look unreal. The room smells like fresh flowers and heartbreak.

My heart thuds against my chest like it's trying to claw its way out.

"I think we are in the wrong room." I place the card back down.

"No we're not. The flowers are for you." A deep voice speaks behind me.

"You're insane," I whisper, not sure if I'm talking to him or myself.

Alex leans against the doorframe, his hands in his pockets, watching me like I'm the only thing in the room that matters.

"I am insane." He says, pushing away from the door frame, "But I'm in love with you."

I shake my head slowly, trying to keep the tremble out of my voice.

"You can't just buy flowers and expect everything to go away."

"I don't expect it to fix anything." He steps closer,"I just wanted you to know I remember. Every single day, I hurt you. Every time I made you feel like you didn't matter."

"And what? You thought a few dozen roses would make it better?" I try to sound annoyed, angry, anything but soft.

"It's not the roses," he says gently. "It's what they stand for. Regret. Memory. Hope."

I hate how those words make my throat tighten.

I look away, pretending to fix the strap of my bag, pretending I don't feel tears pressing at the back of my eyes.

"Why now, Alex? Why do all this now?"

I'm done pretending I'm okay without you."

take care of everyone, even when you're breaking. And I realized I've never really taken care of you. Not the

the inside of

the nightstand and picks

hands

This one just says:

[Please be mine again.]

read it twice before setting it down because

should go,"

away?"

turn, my heart pounding so hard I

you're doing this for some hidden agenda. What? Is it the formula you want? I was

my space. I've been to stunned to

raises his thumb and wipes an angry tear falling

heart." He whispers,

you. Ever again. As for the formula, no I don't want it. That's why I'm shutting the whole program down. Including lan's." He says and move back with

for you. You may be wealthy but you're not the only

I'm

be able to end it all through a friend of Dad's. I'm sponsoring his campaigns and once he wins, we can

interested in the one

his head with a

need the formula, as for the weakness, there

Rayen are.

air like fog, thick and impossible to

warm it

don't believe you," I whisper, even though a small, dangerous part of

right things, Alex. That's

me like I'm the air

words," he says, his voice low. "I'll prove

day, if

take a shaky step back, trying

distance, the walls I've spent years

fury.

don't know how to be around you anymore," I admit.