Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

ATHENA

I rush out as the wind slaps me on my face. Everything comes crashing down,

and I feel my heart pump even faster.

"How'd it go? Does he have it?" Zayan asks when I enter the car.

"Even if he does, he wouldn't admit it." I grind out as I hold back my tears.

He betrayed me.

My hands shake as I look at the photos on my phone. They're from the security footage, and in it is Ryan. Walking into my apartment empty-handed and walking out with a damn box.

Anger surges through me in ways I didn't know was possible. How dare he do this

to me?

What did you expect, Athena? That the man had fallen head over heels for you?

A little voice taunts me in the worst way possible.

The car suddenly feels too small, and I feel like I can't breathe.

"You don't have to be strong with me, Athena. You can cry if you want to. You know I'm here for you." Zayan says, but it does nothing to soothe my aching heart.

"Thank you for being here. Without your connection, I wouldn't have gotten that footage." I whisper with a small smile.

Zayan doesn't smile back. He just watches me, his eyes filled with concern. One hand is gripping the steering wheel while the other is clenched like he's holding himself back from doing something reckless.

"I'd do worse than get footage if you ask me to," he mutters. "He shouldn't have touched that box. That was your parents. That was your peace."

"Maybe he needed it. He is sick after all." I mumble.

turns to face

before it gets too late. But for him to steal from me? That was so wrong." I shake my head as a bitter laugh escapes my lips, "You know the funny thing is, all he had to tell me was he needed it, and I would

swipe at my tears as they fall, helpless against the flood I've been holding in since I saw the video. Since I walked into that office. Since he smiled at me like

squeeze my

glances at me again, then quietly pulls the car into a side

breathe," he

argue. I'm running

was young, I had to work hard at school, so I didn't end up disappointing my family. They

felt pressured to be the best so

in the Kings family. The pressure became even worse because I

compare to how painful a shredded

Isabelle was right.

it. So he could be cured. Alex doesn't ask for permission or see the need to just does things. I shouldn't

Maybe this was what I

silence in the car is thick,

by my unsteady breathing. My hands a still

tighter, staring

the still

belongs to s

who Alex really

without

the parking lot of

nearly empty, the soft breeze carrying the scent of salt and roasted

parks the car

on. You need

settle for a shot of

coffee should

two coffees and sit

people walking their dogs in the distance, the world moving on like nothing is breaking inside me.