Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

ATHENA

"Just tellthe truth. | won't be mad." Isabelle says as she jumps in my bed.

"Something happened between you two, right?”

| play dumb.

"Nothing happened."

"Girl. Did you sleep with him?" Her eyes widen.

This is why | hate Isabelle's good observation skills. It's impossible to get something past her.

"No. | mean not in that way. We just shared a bed because only one was left. Besides, | was on my period!"

My cheeks warm at the memory of how cute he looked as he fumbled with words not knowing what to do. I've

never seen him hesitate as much as he did that day.

It was as if...

Woah!

Why am | thinking about him? Like that?

"Bitch, you're smiling!"

| whip the pillow at her face. "Shut up!"

Isabelle dodges it tically like she's in an action movie, then grabs it and hugs it to her chest.

"That smile was not innocent," she eyes me. "Spit It out! Did you get back with him?"

| slowly shake my head.

Did | though?

"Athena-"

"You're going to givea speech about Zayan aren't you?" | lay down facing the ceiling.

She sighs.

"He is a good man and wouldn't hurt you. Alex on the other hand is the worse of the worst. The man has no

morals and the law doesn't apply to him. With that tattooed guy by his side, they look like they kill for sport and

work at the company as a disguise."

| snort, turning my head toward her.

"You're make them sound like they own a cartel and they sell human parts."

She doesn't laugh.

Silence stretches for a second too long.

My stomach drops. "Isabelle?"

She looks atseriously now, with no hint of her usual sarcasm.

"Athena, you know | love you and only want what's best for you."

| hate that she's right.

| hate it even more that I'm so conflicted the thought of staying away from him is

tearing my heart into shreds.

"He's not a bad person." | whisper.

"To you? Maybe." she challenges, sitting up straighter. "To others, highly debatable."

She reaches over and holds my hands into hers, "I know you like him. Maybe you even love him," she softens.

"But you need to protect your heart, Athena. Alex doesn't just carry chaos, he is chaos."

| want to argue, to defend him.

But the words won't come.

Because deep down, I've always known she wasn't wrong. Alex doesn't walk into lives. He tears through them

like a storm.

And the worst part?

Ssick, twisted part ofmisses the storm when it's gone.

"I'm not getting back with him," I lie I, mostly to myself.

Isabelle stares at me, like she's trying to read between the lines.

Then she lies back beside me, quiet for a moment, before whispering,

"Just promisesomething."

I nod.

"Give Zayan a chance. Don't let Alex confuse you. | just don't want you regretting later."

| bite my lip in thought. | actually haven't met Zayan in a while. The last twe spoke was when | was on my

way hand we agreed to meet for dinner content belongs to s

But my heart felt so heavy like a load of bricks were pressing hard against it. |

didn't want to go, | wanted to be with Alex.

Which makeswonder if I'm as sick and twisted as he is.

Because what kind of normal person leaves someone so sweet and perfect for that Morally Grey man?

Only the insane kind.

And that's exactly what I'm starting to think | am.

"I have to get going. You take care babe. | love you." Isabelle reaches over and

kisseson my cheek.

"Thank you for watching Rayen, | owe you so much!"

She wavesoff, "Don't worry about it!"

Once the door shuts behind her, silence wraps aroundremindingof the

conversation about the formula.

| never told Alex what | suspected. | couldn't.

Because he wouldn't think, he'd just react.

Seeing how he beat his uncle up for insultingtoldall | needed to know. Although | must say, Giana

shockeda little. She didnt stop him. She looked proud of him instead. s

Shaking my head, | force myself to focus.

Katya and John cback because someone told them about the formula. Noah

is on the top of my list.

But he has known about it for almost ten months. Why would he betraynow?

| tried to speak to Noah about it, to ask if he knew anything more than he let on. But just as | started, Katya

popped up.

The last thing | wanted was to have a civil conversation with that woman. So | backed out, made up some

excuse, and left.

Luca had droppedhome. He hated it but did it anyway.

But now that I'm alone, it feels like the right moment to check the box again.

| haven't opened it since it was given to me. But now | feel like I'm ready.

| move quickly, pushing my bed aside with shaky hands and unlocking the hidden

compartment beneath it.

Only to freeze.

The box isn't there.

It's gone.

My heart leaps into my throat.

No.

No, no, no.

Franta

my phone's

and drop to my knees, checking

under the bed frame, the corne

the back edges, everywhere content belongs to s

Nothing.

| throw open my closet, yanking out drawers, tossing clothes onto the floor,

opening every bag and zipped pocket | can find.

Still nothing.

Panic burns up my spine.

Someone stole it.

My breathing quickens. | press a trembling hand to my chest, trying to calm down,

but it's no use.

Because someone's been in here.

Someone knew where | kept it.

And | don't know what scaresmore, that it's gone...

Or that | didn't notice my house had been broken into.

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