Dear Ex Wife Please take me back

ATHENA

Without warning, she rushes forward and wraps her arms around Alex in a tight hug.

I stiffen.

My arms cross over my chest, a strange, unwelcome heat crawling up my spine. Who the hell is she?

If she was family I'd probably know because I've been around this family for over

three years.

Alex doesn't hug her back. In fact, he just stands there, his body rigid, his hands shoved deep into his pockets.

His expression is unreadable, his usual glare gracing her presence making a smile almost slip out from my lips.

I'm still mad she's touching him though.

The woman pulls back slightly, tilting her head at him. "Five years, Alex. Five damn years, and you're still too stiff to hug me back? Unbelievable." She shakes her head, letting out an amused scoff before stepping back.

Alex exhales before pulling her off him but shockingly he doesn't look irritated.

He finally turns to me, "Athena, this is my annoying cousin, Sloane."

Cousin?

Oh.

His tone is dry, edged with something close to affection and I know right there and then that he might not show it but he adores her.

"Yeah... Noah's sister." He points out.

My eyes widen as the realization settles in. No wonder she looked so familiar, she looks so much like Noah.

The tension coiling in my stomach loosens instantly making me feel foolish for assuming I knew everyone in his family. As if reading my mind, she smiles as she pulls me into a hug.

"Athena. I've heard so much about you! You're even more beautiful in person. I must admit though, I loved getting a little rise out of you." She winks as she pulls back.

So she hugged him to make me have wrong thoughts?

"Hi Sloane, it's a pleasure." I smile back.

"Likewise. I see why Alexander wants to murder my brother." She teases.

Alex sighs, running a hand down his face. "Sloane, don't start."

She grins, completely unbothered, before turning to me again. "Relax, I'm just messing with you. Kind of. Because it's true, you beat Noah up for what? Doing a drinking game?"

"Does Noah share everything with his baby sister?" Alex throws the insult but it bounces back because Sloane doesn't look the least bit offended.

"Why? Are you Jealous?"

"Anyway," Alex ignores her question, turning his focus on me, "Sloane's an interior designer,” he explains, “and since I know nothing about decorating, I called her in to help."

Sloane crosses her arms, tilting her head.

"More like demanded with a bit of threat here and there."

"I said I'd pay you," Alex argues.

"Then you said you'd have me blacklisted if I didn't come with that ass friend of yours Lucas. Honestly, Athena, I don't know how you put up with this."

“Haha.” I laugh awkwardly, not knowing what else I can say.

Sloane walks over to me and holds my hand in hers while she carefully pulls me along. But Alex doesn't seem to approve because he immediately blocks the path,

"Where the fuck are you going?" He growls. "She stays in my sight.”

"If we're going to decorate your home we need supplies." Sloane rolls her eyes like he's being unreasonable.

Is he?

After someone tried to kill me twice, I've realized I was fine being hidden.

"I'll have someone bring what you want. Just name it."

"Alex, let us through, or do the damn deco yourself!" Sloane demands and from how serious she becomes I can tell she's not afraid.

I admire her toughness and I've only known her for a few seconds. She's a King too after all.

"We will be fine," I add seeing the debate in his eyes.

"Keep your phone on you at all

times. Don't take too long, I'll be kere

waiting If you miss any of my calls

12.noveldrama

I'm coming to pick you and you'll

have to do the decorations purchase online."

"I'll keep it on me," I respond, biting my lip to hold back a smile.

I really love this side of Alex. It melts my already melted heart.

He nods although he doesn't look convinced but after he steps aside I take that as convincing enough.

We walk out arm in arm like besties who have known each other forever.

The moment Sloane and I step outside, the afternoon breeze greets us, ruffling

my hair as I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.

"That man is intense," Sloane comments, shaking her head with a chuckle as we

approach her car. "How do you deal with it every day?"

She drives a sports car?

Of course, she does.

I glance back at the mansion, a soft smile tugging at my lips.

"Honestly? I kind of love it."

Sloane gives me a knowing look as she unlocks her car. "Yeah, I figured. You've

got that lovesick puppy look all over your face."

I roll my eyes, slipping into the passenger seat. "I do not."

"You totally do," she laughs, starting the engine. "But I get it. Alex has always been the brooding,

overprotective, leave me the fudet

alone don't show the emotion's type. You must be pretty special to have him like this."

Something about her words makes a tingling sensation spread through my chest.

And not in a good way.

Because deep down I know he has only ever loved one woman and that's not me. But that's not something I can tell someone I just met.

As Sloane pulls out of the driveway, she glances at me before turning back on the road, "So, what's the deal with you and Noah? You two seem pretty close. He talks about you a lot."

"He does? Noah and I have been pretty close. He's like an elder brother I never had. Always looking out for me." I respond and Sloane nods, her lips pressed into

a thin line.

"Hmmm. That's good." That is all she says after a while and I don't know, but the way she says it makes me wonder if I'm missing something.

I remain silent the rest of the ride as Sloane tells me about how wild her life has been. She truly has lived.

Soon, we arrive at the home decor

store. After parking, we slowly walk towards it as I keep hearing Sloane's wild tales and honestly, I'm not complaining. She has a way of hooking you to it.

"Alright," Sloane announces as we step inside the enormous store, grabbing a

cart.

"What's the vibe? Classic elegance? Modern chic? Or are we going full-on queen

of the castle?"

I bite my lip, scanning the endless rows of furniture and décor pieces.

"I want it to feel... warm. Cozy, but still simple. A home, not just a mansion."

Sloane hums in approval.

"I never thought I'd see the day when the word simple left the mouth of someone

who is a King."

"You guys are missing out." I defend my choice.

"Haha! Are we? Will see at the end of this task." She says but I tune the rest of her words out as my eyes land on an unbelievable sight.

Walking towards me is Leah Woods. Not only does she have a smile on her face, she has a small baby bump.