Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

ATHENA

"No killing, Luca!" I give him a side glance as he drives to whatever is our destination.

"This is why I wanted you to go to the hospital! You'll just get in the way." He complains.

Hospital.

One word.

But has the power to make my heart stop.

I don't want to go there hopelessly. I can't face Alex like that. I want to go there with hope and a solution. My only prayer is we get there on time because Rayen will never forgive me.

"Do you know what caused his heart attack? Could it have been induced by something or someone?" I ask with a pounding heart.

Truth is, guilt has been eating me and a part of me is afraid that I may have been the reason behind this.

Luca shakes his head.

"No. He knew it was coming. He even prepared a will and put some of his assets in a trust." He turns to look at me, "With you as the trustee."

"What?"

Luca doesn't repeat himself. He just keeps his eyes on the road, both hands tight on the wheel, his jaw clenched like saying those words physically hurt him.

I know he's hurting and panicking just like I am. Maybe even more. Having made a will and put things in order doesn't make any of us feel better, it scares the shit out of us.

"I'm the trustee?" My voice is barely above a whisper.

"You heard me."

"But... why?" I ask, completely stunned. "After everything? I don't understand."

He exhales sharply, a bitter kind of laugh slipping through. "Because Alex never stopped loving you. Not for a second. Doesn't matter how mad or betrayed you felt, Athena. You're it for him. Always have been."

I shake my head, my thoughts spiraling.

He made me the trustee.

Me.

I hold power over things he spent his whole life building... and I don't even know a thing about running a business.

He was telling the truth about not having used me for the formula. I should have listened to him.

Tears sting my eyes again, but I push them back this time. I've cried enough. What Alex needs isn't my guilt. It's action. It's strength.

And I won't let him down again.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" I murmur after a long pause.

"Would you have believed me?" Luca glances at me. "You hated him. Hated me. You were running on pain and anger. I had to wait until you saw the truth for

yourself. Besides, I was mad at you too. Angry even."

I look away, biting down hard on my bottom lip.

"I don't hate him," I whisper. "I never really did."

Luca doesn't reply.

It's heavy, loaded with everything we've seen, heard, done in the past twenty-four

Eventually, I speak again.

the formula did he?" I ask with a

formula will put you in danger. So he

do what he

fuck I am." He clicks his tongue. "The fucker doesn't get to die on me.

as a small

good friend,

chuckles, "Make sure to tell him that when he tries

turn

plan? Where does lan's

lab. He's been hiding out there ever since he

do we get

gleaming with mischief that borders

don't get

"And what am I supposed to do? Just stand

"You'll cover me."

what? My stethoscope and a

first real laugh I've heard from

short-lived, though, as

isn't just greedy.

He has had eyes on you for many years now. I've always wondered why, but I thought it was to just provoke Alex. Now I know

formula." I Finish

regret it? Getting the formula I

my head.

my parents sacrificed their hives for! I will launch it and use it tö save lives. Danger be damned. Let them come. I'll be

flickering in his eyes. Maybe admiration. Maybe disbelief. The man

lets out a breath like he's been holding it for hours. "Then

get to that bastard

you think he wants to sell it too? Isn't Elias also looking for it?" I ask, remembering the Med

head,

aware of

Elias loves lan more than life itself, messing

on't think he's

that stupid." s

I digest Luca's words.

is

into the city, the

buildings taller.

know we're coming?"

given up. Or that I'm too busy to move now

is in the

we catch him

gives a small nod.

underground parking lot beneath a run-down building.

reaches into the backseat, pulling

there?" I

a mess of wires, tools, and a

he says, handing me

while I'm

thought I was covering

anything goes wrong,

"Luca-"