Dear Ex Wife Please take me back

Alex

"She's alive." The nurse responds and I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

"Can I see her?" I ask immediately, not wanting to waste another second. A part of me feels like I'm being pranked and can't really be relieved unless I see and touch her.

"Yes, but first I suggest you speak to the doctor." The nurse responds and I nod.

"Where is the doctor?" My voice is barely steady, impatient. I don't have time for formalities.

The nurse motions toward a hallway. "Dr. Patel is in his office. Down the hall, third door on the right."

I'm already moving before she finishes speaking. My legs feel heavy, my pulse still hammering, but I push forward.

When I reach it, the door is slightly ajar, so I don't bother knocking. I push it open, stepping inside. The doctor looks up from a file, his eyes widening behind his glasses.

"Mr. King, why are you here personally? Did something happen?" He stands from his seat.

I don't even know the man and he already knows me. Sometimes, I detest being so known.

"Please, sit doctor. I'm here for Athena Dawson."

His eyes widen,

"She was brought in some hours ago. Is she someone you know?"

"Yes. How is she?"

"She's stable," Dr. Patel says, and I exhale sharply. But then he adds, "Physically, she's out of immediate danger. However, she was underwater for a prolonged period. We're monitoring for any complications, including secondary drowning or neurological effects."

Neurological effects.

My stomach twists.

"What does that mean?"

"She may experience confusion, memory gaps, or difficulty processing certain events. Trauma like this can also trigger long-term psychological effects." He studies me for a moment before continuing. "Right now, she's disoriented. She woke up briefly but didn't seem fully aware of where she was. That's normal, but it's something to watch."

Disoriented.

I grip the back of a chair, grounding myself.

"What psychological effects?"

He exhales, glancing at the file again before meeting my gaze.

"Because she was underwater for an extended period, there were concerns about hypoxia-lack of oxygen to the brain-which can sometimes cause memory impairment. She may have some memory gaps," he explains carefully.

"In simple terms, Confusion. Possible difficulty recalling certain events leading up

to the incident or even from her past. It's hard to say how severe it is until she wakes up."

"When will that be?"

He hesitates. "Her vitals are stable, and she's breathing on her own, which is a good sign. But trauma like this... it's unpredictable. She could wake up in an hour, or it could take longer."

I grit my teeth. "And when she does?"

Dr. Patel studies me for a moment before responding.

"Be patient with her. If she has memory issues, pushing too hard could make things worse. And one more thing..."

I narrow my eyes.

"Given the circumstances of her drowning, she may develop PTSD. Claustrophobia, panic attacks—especially in enclosed spaces or around water."

I nod.

Not knowing what to do with that information. She was studying to be a surgeon, she will be heartbroken when something goes wrong and I can't for the life of me handle that.

"Can you keep this between us? No one should know about how severe her condition is. Only you will attend to her, and you can't tell her the Cote truth either."

"Mr. King-"

"I mean it. When the time is right, I'll tell her if she will still be struggling. For now, let's just focus on getting her better."

He sighs, sitting back in his chair, but he understands I'm not asking and if word goes out I won't be kind about it.

"I understand."

"Can I see her now?" My voice is rough from all the emotions I'm trying to keep sealed.

Patel nods.

"She's in room 312. Just... be gentle with her, Mr. King."

I don't respond. I just turn on my heel and head for her room.

The sight of her nearly brings me to my knees.

Athena looks so small in the hospital bed, her dark hair damp, strands sticking to her pale skin. An IV is hooked into her arm, the steady beep of the monitors the only proof that she's still here.

My chest tightens.

This is my fault.

She's here because I left her. Because I didn't go back when I knew something

was wrong.

I step closer, my fingers curling around the cold metal rail of the bed.

For the first time in years, I feel something foreign creeping into my chest guilt.

I should have been there.

I should have protected her.

Her lips are parted slightly, her breathing even but too shallow for my liking. I reach out, hesitating for a fraction of a second before brushing 2nd of hair from her forehead.

"Wake up, Athena," I murmur. "Just open your damn eyes and glare at me like you always do."

Nothing.

I sink into the chair beside the bed, my body tense.

I'll wait. As long as it takes.

I don't know how long has passed since I sent mum a text to notify her where we

are when I feel a movement.

My heart jumps to my throat as I look at her.

"Athena." My voice is quiet, rough.noveldrama

Her eyelashes flutter.

Then, slowly, hazily, her eyes open.

For a moment, she just stares, her gaze unfocused.

Then it lands on me, and something flickers-confusion.

Wariness?

"Athena," I repeat, leaning closer.

She blinks.

And then she speaks-

"Who... who are you?"