Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

ATHENA

"Killnow!" Sloane groans as she throws herself on the bed.

Rayen's, to be exact.

He will hate it when he finds us going through his things. Rayen recently turned four, but I've always known my

son was special. He thinks differently and even asks questions that leave my mouth hanging open. He also hates

it when we are in his space. Apparently.

No one toldhe would hate my kisses so soon. Too soon.

Okay, hate is a stretch, but still... he always says,

"Mummy, please. I'm too old for kisses. Just make another baby."

Anyway, so he is growing tall super fast, so | had to change his wardrobe. My schedule has been crazy busy, but |

always make sure I'm present and he findshome.

| still remember how Alex was affected by his parents being too busy, and we got lucky Giana was there.

Otherwise, he would have been worse.

That's something I certainly will not put my precious boy through. Sloane, who was shocked as | was by Katelyn's

earlier than scheduled appearance, rushed to my house, and here we are.

"It's not so bad. She even called you, so you could have lunch together." | try to smoothen the situation.

"Easy for you to say, Aunt.. | mean.. Mum dotted on you before even meeting you." She groans.

| give her a smile, I'm so proud of Sloane. She's been so strong, especially after hearing her idiotic parents’

behavior while she was in comma. She was hurt but mostly angry and punched Noah for it.

Something Alex smiled at and offered to even help with.

"Yours defendedyesterday. Even offered to fund my research. You really have nothing to worry about."

"Maybe she just likes medical stuff!"

| laugh

"Think of it as a way to win points from lan. By making your mother inlaw like you."

| don't even know what I'm saying, to be honest.

"She's not my mother inlaw yet."

"Well, she will be."

"If we get married. He might change his mind if she hates me."

"I doubt anyone can change his mind. | now see why he's best friends with my husband. Birds of the same

feather and all that." | lean forward, putting the new sets of shorts on the chair,

"I know you're worried because | mentioned he said he cares about only you and her. But that isn't supposed to

give you any kind of pressure. Just be a sweet chaotic self. If she doesn't like it, that's her loss. Besides, Aunty Ari

will have her head on a spike if she makes you cry. Letnot even get started on uncle Eli. The man behaves

like he's having a stroke at the mere mention of you being in a relationship."

She lets out a small laugh, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes. She stares up at the ceiling like it holds all the

answers she's desperate for.

| gently nudge her leg with mine. "Sloane, you've survived worse. You've literally cback from the dead. One

lunch with lan's mum isn't going to break you."

"That woman looks like she was born judging people," she mumbles, dragging a pillow over her face. "And she

dresses like she eats diamonds for breakfast."

"Good. Because that means she'll choke on your authenticity."

She snorts under the pillow. "You're insane."

"And you love me," | remind her, patting her thigh. "Besides, no one worth having in your life wants you to shrin

to fit their standards. Do you think | did have people whispering aboutwhen | married Alex? Both times. Even

now, people still think he's way over my league. Trust me, if | had to win over every skeptical rich parent, I'd be

running an orphanage by now."

Sloane finally lifts the pillow, her eyes a little shinier than before. "What if I'm not enough? You know, regarding

uhm.. my situation."

| pause at that. My chest tightens.

"You are," | say simply. "You've

always been enough. If lan's mother

can't see that, then she's blind. But

lan isn't. And he chose you. If he had a problem with your past, he e wouldn't have stayed by your bedside

everyday even when Alex was dying, he rarely lett Alex must

hold a grudge for that, too." I half laugh before looking at my sister inlaw and best friend, "So, neither should

you." s

That earnsa watery smile.

"You should consider being a therapist." She laughs, warming my heart that sof her doubt has left her.

"Hmmm. I'm the best, aren't I? Your brother is lucky to have me!" | tease, and we both fall into a fit of laughter.

The sound of tiny, furious footsteps pounds toward the room.

I don't even need to look to know who it is.

My little dictator storms in, his face crumpled into a scowl so serious it makeswant to laugh.

"Aunty Sloane, How are you?" he asks.

"Good little King. How are you? Cgivea hug." Sloane spreads her hands but is met with sheer rejection.

"No thanks. | don't like hugs very much. Do you wantto bring you scandy?" He asks politely.

"No thanks." Sloane responds, squinting her eyes at her nephew.

"Mummy, what twill you finnish? I'd like to have my bed back, please."

I smile.

"Soon love," | say, scooping him up and planting a kiss on his cheek.

He groans and wriggles like I've just ruined his life. "Mummy, stop. | said no kisses."

"But | missed you."

"Make another baby. I'm too grown for kisses."

"Rayen you're four. But even if you're thirty, I'll kiss you because you'll always be

my baby."

"And | will get a hug whenever you see me!" Sloane supports me.

My son stares at us both like we've failed him completely, then sighs with the of a much older man.

"I'll be in the kitchen. Daddy said | could go to Kai's place for a bit. Please don't touch my dinosaur drawings. Or

my astronaut books. Or my bed."

"Yes, your royal highness," | half roll my eyes as he turns around and marches out, muttering something about

changing his room.

| collapse backward beside Sloane, still laughing.

"He's going to rule the world one day," she says between breathless giggles.

"He has a precious heart, but | see more and more of his father in him." | smile.

She turns her head to look atafter we are both silent for stime. "Thank you... for this. For everything."

"You're family," | say, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead. "And no matter what happens with lan's

mother or the world or the past you'll always have a place here. With us." s

"I've decided to meet her. After party, that is. | can't let anything

distractfrom throwing myi

favorite man the best birthday party known to mankind!" s

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