Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

ALEX

Growing up, | always thought emotions were overrated and a pain in the ass. | would never understand people

who made decisions because they were happy or sad or in love.

| hated it, so | made sure | never felt it. | had things | could tolerate, but like is a word far-fetched. Only my

granny could melt down the walls even though my mother couldn't.

It used to take effort though now I'm shocked that Athena breaks down every fucking wall I've built just by

existing. She and this woman I'm holding onto are who taughtthat loving was okay and emotions didn't

make us weak, they made us human.

"I'm so glad | got to see you fine one last tmy precious boy. Now I'll be able to rest in peace." My nana's

wrinkled hands hold mine.

"Don't let Noah hear that, he will throw a fit. Sloane too." I try to lighten the mood.

She givesa weak smile,

"That brat has changed. He toldyour father talked ssense into him and I'm glad. What happened to John

was my fault. | should have seen it earlier. | killed my own son. | don't know how I'll be able to face your

grandfather when | failed him."

Her voice is thin, like a thread unraveling, barely holding together. I clutch her hand tighter, trying to will life into

her. Into us.

"Nana, don't say that," | whisper hoarsely, my throat burning. "You were the best. He made his choice, that's on

him."

She givesa weak laugh.

"No my dear. It's on me. So learn from my mistake. | know you and Athena will have more kids, make sure you're

attentive to each one or else you'll lose them slowly."

| open my mouth to argue, to tell her she's wrong, that she's not to blame. But how do you convince someone

who's carried the weight of regret for decades?

Who's lived through the pain of seeing her son ruin everything and beca devil who stooped so low that he

put his own daughter up to be a sex worker? You don't.

But we all know it wasn't her fault. Nothing can excuse that man's decisions and if dad hadn't dealt with him, |

would have. In the most cruel way.

Pushing my dark thoughts aside, | hold her hand tighter.

Her breathing is labored now, her chest rising in small, effortful lifts. Her skin, which was once always warm and

soft like fresh bread, is growing colder beneath my touch.

"Nana, please," | whisper, my voice cracking. "Don't go. You have to seemarry your favorite girl. My favorite

girl."

Her gaze lifts to mine, a little clearer for a moment, like the clouds parting for one final glimpse of the sun.

"I'll always be with you, my boy," she murmurs, her thumb barely brushing the back of my hand. "In your

stubbornness. In your love for that girl. In the way you protect those you love. You are so much of me, Alex."

The lump in my throat threatens to suffocate me.

She coughs lightly, her words now a rasp. "Let them love you, Alex. You spend your whole life protecting others,

but you-" her eyes glisten, "-you never let yourself be protected. That has been the reason why | had a soft spot

for you. | wanted to fill the void in your heart but now | know Athena has done that. She has saved my grandson

twice."

She smiles.

That sdamn soft smile she used to givewhen | scraped my knees as a boy, or when she caught me

sneaking cookies behind her back and pretended not to notice. The ssmile that soothed every storm in my

soul.

"I've had a full life, Alexander. I've seen you grow into a man I'm proud of. | can go now."

"No." My voice cracks. | don't even recognize it anymore. "You can't just... leave."

| blink hard, but the tears blur everything. They fall silently, shamefully, because I've never cried, not once in my

adult life. Not when | bled. Not when | lost everything. Not when | buried men | called brothers.

Never.

But now?

Now | can't stop.

Qu

| watch her chest continue to rise and fall with painful effort, the oxygen mask rattling softly beside the bed

Machines start to beep Lures Spike and fall. My hearts plummets with each weakening sound. s

Even Athena who is standing by the doorway, with her eyes glassy, is unable to speak. Her miracle drug couldn't

fix this Not even her brillance could stop the inevitable. s

And me? The man with more money than most could dream of?

| feel powerless.

Who said money was power? | want to meet them so | can smash their skull for givingpainful hope.

| can't buy her more time. | can't fucking bribe death and sure as hell can't build a wall around her soul and keep

it from slipping away.

I would trade everything, every cent, every fucking breath in my lungs just to keep her witha little longer.

"I'm scared," | whisper before | even realize it. My forehead drops against our joined hands.

God, I'm terrified.

"You don't have to be," she murmurs, barely audible. "You've always been brave. Even when you were a little

alwang behind my skirt You

always protected everyone." s

| can't breathe. My chest tightens so hard | think my ribs might snap.

She gavemy name. Raisedwhen no one else would. She was the only

one who ever looked atwith so much love while mum and dad were too busy chasing deals and money.

She was home.

And now, she's leaving.

"I have something you need to do for me. Find Athena's parents’ killers. Check the

box in the safe, it should give you a heads start."

| feel her grip loosen slightly, her skin cooling beneath my palm.

The machines start beeping louder.

Faster.

And faster.

| stand turning to Athena,

"Baby check the machines."

But she stays glued to the spot. Tears rolling down her face.

A flat sound echoes in the room.

"No no, no, no, Nana!"

Doctors and nurses rush in. Athena pullsback, but | fight her. I'm screaming without sound, rage and grief

slamming throughlike a fucking tidal wave.

| clutch her hand, even as they try to cover her.

"I love you," | whisper through gritted teeth. "I love you so damn much.”

My shoulders shake as | take a step forward and hold my grandmother's hand for

the last time.

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