Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

ATHENA

"Where did Daddy go?" Rayen asks as Luca drives us back home.

I don't know what to say or how to answer that question. Yesterday passed in a blur.

I can barely remember what happened after Alex left or how I hugged Rose

goodbye with promises of catching up.

I've been holding onto my phone like it's my lifeline. Hoping and praying Giana is alright.

She saved me. Gave me an education and made my life so easy.

She had another heart attack and could die.

I have the formula. Maybe I should stop hiding it and use it to save her and have Alex take a dose to prevent this from ever happening to him.

"He had something to do, sweetie. You'll see him soon." I finally find the strength

to answer my son, who nods and focuses on his game.

Luca and I share a look through the rearview mirror.

"You can't keep it hidden from him forever." He says.

I know he's right, but I don't admit it.

I'll tell him when I hear how she's doing.

"Do you think the formula can help?" I blurt out the question.

Well, if Alex knows, then Luca totally knows about it.

"Are you talking to me?" He asks, giving me a straight face.

"Forget it!" I mutter. Not having the strength to fight him today.

"No you can't. It was last used seven years ago. Plus, Giana is old. You'll need to do more tests on its effectiveness, and that could take another seven years. I also suggest you don't repeat that question outside."

I let out a tired sigh and look out the window. Trees blur past. Sunlight flickers through the leaves, painting golden patches across my lap, but it doesn't calm me. My fingers keep twitching, my phone burning a hole in my palm. Still no updates. "Some new people just landed," Luca adds suddenly as he hands me his tablet. "Figured you should see this."

The screen shows a photo taken outside Quinn's Medical Center.

A tall man who looks a hell lot like Alex's dad and a woman with blond hair, is stepping out of a sleek black car.

The woman's face is mostly covered by oversized sunglasses. The man looks cold and makes my backbone shiver.

I frown. "Who are they?"

Luca doesn't answer immediately.

"That's Noah and Sloane's parents." Luca finally answers, and I gasp.

I slide next, and in the next picture, the woman has pulled off her glasses.

"She looks so identical to Ariana. Are they sisters?" I ask.

the first time. I assumed his parents were late since neither of them spoke about them. But

that's where she

why are they only showing up now? Their daughter has been in a

and slight shake of

but John is one

I turn to look at Rayen,

"That kid will be cursing

"Why is John sick?"

you tell? He married a woman who looks

meet his gaze through the rearview,

a crush on Ariana. But she fell for Eli and they got married. So the brothers fell off. Giana handing the entire company to Eli didn't help the

dyed her hair blond too. She's a brunette originally. But I hear she's now a cold ass prosecutor. I don't know why they came, but it isn't

mother is

agenda I try to

I agree with Luca.

That's pretty sick.

hours before Giana collapsed. So unless they can see the future, I suggest you be careful and don't let them near Rayen. You have nothing to worry about though, Alex would burn us all to shit before anything happened to you. I'm just giving you a

start on a very lovely note."

just snorts and focuses back on the road. His silence feels more loaded than

Isabelle's driveway

Rayen and help him out of the car. He's humming the

completely unaware of the tension sitting

front door opens before we can knock,

of her oversized tees and leggings, a cup of tea clutched in her

flick past me straight to Luca and her entire body jolts.

frowning at her reaction.

flush a bright

hi- ahh.." She clears

steps forward, no smile on his face but

"Hi, Isabelle."

nearly chokes

runs past us and jumps into

I missed

you even more

says

please watch him for a

I know

course. Go. I've

will be back for you, okay? Be good.

"I love you too!"

Rayen one last look, then nod and follow Luca back

what I just

Isabelle's reaction was... weird.

I glance at Luca.

His face is unreadable.

Nope.

Not going there.

my circus.

car rolls to a

entrance.

Security is tight.

don't recognize are stationed at