Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

ATHENA

Noah freezes.

His grip loosens instantly as his eyes snap toward the voice.

Alex stands there, calm as a glacier, but there's nothing cold about the fire in his eyes. One hand is in his pocket,

the other resting casually at his side, but the tension rolling off him could crack the floor.

Noah straightens slowly, his jaw ticking in anger. Hatred written in every line of his body.

Did something happen between these two, or does Noah hate Alex because of what happened to Sloane?

But that would be unfair. She took the bullet forand not him.

"lI wasn't hurting her," he says through clenched teeth.

Alex takes a slow, deliberate step forward.

"You touched her, and she flinched. That's more than hurting her."

"Why do you care?!" Noah hisses, and when Alex takes another step forward, he snaps his mouth shut.

Oh, for crying out loud!

"Stop it, both of you!" | hiss, yanking my hand back and stepping between them.

"I shouldn't have to explain myself to you, Noah. Nothing is going on between Alex and me, and nothing will. We

are Rayen's parents. Seeing us together shouldn't be strange to you."

"And you," | turn to face Alex, "I'm not your wife that needs protecting or you breaking other people's hands

over. | can fight my own battles!"

| feel the heat in my cheeks, not from embarrassment but pure frustration.

"Athena-" Alex begins

"No!" | hiss. "Now letgo back to having a good time. If you want to behave like children, | won't stop you!

Just keepout of it."

Noah blinks, caught off guard by my sharp tone.

His mouth opens, then closes.

"I'm sorry, Athena. | overreacted," he finally says, his voice softer now, remorseful.

But I'm too angry to respond. My jaw clenches as | turn away from him.

Why is he behaving like sobsessed lover marking his territory?

It makes no sense. This isn't like Noah. At least, not the Noah | knew.

| stalk off before Alex can say anything else, weaving through other guests and

faces | don't recognize.

Isabelle interceptswith wide, curious eyes and a knowing smile.

"Babe, did something happen?"

| shake my head quickly, brushing it off.

"No."

Her gaze narrows slightly, then flickers over my shoulder. "Then why does Alex look like he's about to swallow

Noah whole?"

| groan internally.

"Just ignore those two," | mutter.

"A jealous ex-husband and his cousin who wants to win you over? Who will you pick?" She eyescuriously.

"Personally, I'm team Zayan!"

"I'm not stupid."

| laugh as | grab a bottle of water from the drink table, grateful for the shift in energy.

The memory of how that woman almost chewedalive, very clear before me. "You need to meet his mother,

you'll change teams so fast." | say, taking a sip.

Isabelle rolls her eyes with an exaggerated flair. "Oh please. Zayan is not the type to be influenced by his mama.

That man is smooth, rich, emotionally intelligent, and so easy on the eyes.

What else do you want? No exes, no children, no psychotic family trees. Hell, if his cousin wasn't married, | would

have shot my shot. Haven't you heard? The Sinclair men are practically fictional."

| open my mouth to respond, but I'm saved by the sharp clink of a spoon tapping against a wine glass.

Heads turn, gaining our attention.

Ariana stands, her golden dress catching the light, a glass of champagne in one hand, and her other gently

raised.

"| just want to say a few words," she starts, her smile soft and warm. "Being a mom is the greatest chaos I've

ever known, and | wouldn't change a second of it. Even the parts where I've wanted to run away and live in the

woods."

Laughter ripples across the table.

"But truly... motherhood gavepurpose. And being a bonus mom to Noah, Athena, Sloane and my newest

trouble maker, Isabelle even when they didn't wantin the beginning," She looks atwith a mock glare and

| chuckle. Trust Ariana to be extremely tic.

"Has been one of the most beautiful parts of my life. | love you all like you cfrom my soul." She continues.

"And to my precious gift. My son. My pride and joy. Thank you for coming into this world and givinga chance

to experience this priceless opportunity of being a mother. To my mother-in-law, happy Mother's Day Gigi. Thank

you for lovinglike your own."

She raises her glass. "To every woman who's ever mothered by blood, by love, or by sheer stubbornness, you are

seen. You are loved. And we thank you."

Everyone claps, smore misty-eyed than others. Ariana sits, dabbing at her eyes with a napkin, and then

Giana slowly rises next, leaning slightly on her cane. "Well, now | have to follow the golden girl," she grumbles,

earning more laughter. Her gaze sweeps the table, warm and kind as always,

"I've been called tic, nosy, and entirely too invested in other people's business." She shrugs. "All true. But

I've also been called Nonna.”

Her voice softens. "That nsaved my life. Thank you, Athena, for givinga reason to keep fighting. Thank

you, Rayen, for makingyour favorite old lady. Despite there being so many mothers in here, tonight is about

you, my dear Athena. It's your first year as a mother, and I'll die a happy woman knowing | got to witness this

beautiful moment. You are our pride and joy, and we love you."

Rayen grins proudly, holding up his painting like a trophy.

Everyone laughs again, and Giana sits back with a satisfied but teary smile.

My heart warms as my own eyes begin to get misty from how much emotion is filling my chest.

Surprisingly, lan stands, too.

A hush falls instantly.

lan never speaks at parties.

Never.

They even tease him and Alex for being so uptight.

He clears his throat, his eyes on his glass as he pushes his glasses forward.

His gaze falls on me, and his eyes are full of sadness and regret, which breaks my heart.

"lI wasn't supposed to say anything," he mutters, almost like a confession. "But | can't keep pretending like things

didn't happen. Because a few years ago, our hospital almost took away the right to call you a mother, and we

are deeply ashamed."

The silence thickens as my breath catches.

"You almost died and lost two years of your son's life because of our mistake."

My hands shake under the table.

"We're taking action," he continues, looking at the others now. "Every legal route. Every platform. We won't let it

slide."

Then his eyes cback to me.

"If there's anything you want done..." Anything that will make you feel justified, please don't hesitate and tell

me. And I'll make sure it happens. You deserve this, and from the way Rayen is glued to you, he probably

agrees." Rayen looks up at the mention of his name, making everyone chuckle.

"Happy mother's Day, Dr. Dawson. You are truly a real hero and one of the strongest women | know. Enjoy

tonight. Cheers to many more beautiful years ahead of your journey!"

"Cheers!" Everyone echoes in response.

| can't speak.

My throat closes around the lump swelling there, and my vision blurs.

Tears roll down my cheeks.

These are happy tears.

My lips tremble slightly, but | smile through it.

And then,

Alex stands.

My heart stutters.

Every head swivels toward him.

Even Isabelle's jaw drops. Giana straightens. Ariana sets her glass down slowly,

watching her son do something he has never done before.

He clears his throat.

One slow breath in.

Then he raises his glass.

And my heart,

My heart begins to pound so loud | can hear it in my ears.

Thump-thump. Thump-thump.

What is he about to say?