Dear Ex Wife, Please take me back novel Chapter 144

ALEX

“Athena?”

Static.

“Athena, answer me, please!”

More static.

Then nothing.

Fuck!

My heart slams against my ribs so hard it feels like it might crack. I stare at the screen.

The call has dropped.

My hands are shaking. She screamed. I heard it. And then that sound, metal against wood. Impact.

She crashed.

I shoot to my feet, nearly knocking over the coffee table. Rayen stirs on the couch, his small chest rising and falling in steady rhythm.

He likes to sleep when it rains. I always work from home when it's my turn to be with him. I was thinking of what to do over the weekend, so I called Athena.

Honestly, I'm glad I did.

I quickly dial mum's line, and luckily, she picks on the first ring.

“Mum, can you come over? It's urgent.”

“I'm on my way.”

The rain is still heavy, so I'm taking a risk, but Mum is an excellent driver. So that doesn't really worry me.

I rush toward the window, with my heart in my throat. The rain still lashes the glass. The storm outside is relentless, but it’s nothing compared to the storm ripping through my chest.

I grab my phone again and dial Ryan's number.

“Boss?” he answers immediately.

“Athena crashed. She was driving, I was on the call with her when I heard it happen. I don't know where she is, but she was on her way home.”

My voice is already breaking. “Dispatch the team. All routes. Track her phone and check the traffic cams. Find her. I want eyes on every exit from the hospital to her building. I'll be joining you in a bit. I need mum to come watch Rayen.”

“I’m on it.” Ryan responds.

I pace the room like a caged animal, glancing at the clock every five seconds.

She could be unconscious.

Bleeding. Cold and alone.

The thought of that claws at my chest.

I continue to pace back and forth while I wait for mum. I don't want to cloud her judgment, so I refrain from calling her again.

I check on Rayen again. He's still sleeping, snuggled against his blanket.

Safe.

I crouch beside him and brush a hand over his hair. “Stay asleep, champ. Daddy will be right back.”

As if summoned by desperation, the front door opens.

“Alex!” Mum rushes in, drenched from the rain. “I came as fast as I could.”

I don’t even wait for her to step all the way in.

I never thought I'd need it for his mum instead.

I step out into the downpour. Cold rain slaps my face instantly, drenching me to the bone within seconds. The wind whips hard against my coat, but I don't stop moving.

With a flashlight in hand, I move along the edge of the road, scanning the forest line. The downpour blurs everything into gray shadows.

“Come on, Athena… just hold on.”

My phone buzzes.

I jerk it out of my pocket with wet fingers.

“Talk to me!” I shout.

“It’s Ryan,” he says, his voice clear despite the storm. “We found her.”

My chest tightens.

“Where?”

“About two miles northeast from the hospital road. GPS pinged her phone. The team is already headed there. Luca’s first on scene he’s sending visuals now.”

“I’m close,” I say, already jogging back to the car.

“I’m coming. Tell them to keep her warm. Tell them I’m on my way.”

“Ryan?” My heart pounds so hard I see stars.

“Yes boss?”

I swallow.

“How bad is she?”