Dear Ex Wife Please take me back novel Chapter 106

ATHENA

“Dr. Dawson!” Rayen wriggles out of Alex’s arms the moment he spots me and dashes toward me with a wide grin.

It took a long time to get him to stop calling me mummy and just call me Dr. Dawson, but after a few explanations he gave in.

I can't lie. Seeing him hurts me, but he's just an innocent boy who finds my presence warming.

How can I push him away?

I barely have time to brace myself before he flings his arms around my waist, nearly knocking the wind out of me.

“Rayen,” I breathe, crouching to hug him back tightly. “You’re supposed to be in school.”

He pulls back just enough to pout. “I told Daddy I wouldn’t stop crying until he brought me to see you.”

I glance up at Alex, who’s now stopped a few feet away, hands in his pockets, watching quietly with unreadable eyes.

“He’s very persistent,” Alex says.

I rise slowly, my heart still a chaotic mess after everything Ian just told me.

“Hey,” Alex says softly once Rayen skips off toward the nurses’ desk. “You okay?”

I nod, too quickly. “Yeah. Fine. Just got out of a meeting with Ian.”

He tilts his head, studying me. “You sure you’re fine?”

“I said I’m fine,” I snap more harshly than I intend. My walls are back up, brick by brick.

His brows knit together. “Athena-”

“You should go,” I cut him off before I let the tremble in my voice betray me. “ I’ve got rounds.”

“Dr. Dawson, do you hate me?” A sad little voice makes me halt my steps as I look around the busy hospital and walk back towards him.

“No sweetie. I'd never hate you. It's just that this place is full of gems. A baby like you shouldn't be here.” I try to explain gently, but the little man gives me a frown.

“I'm not a baby.”

I laugh before pulling his tiny hands in mine, “How about we meet somewhere else when I'm not working?”

His eyes light up, “I'm having a birthday party next week. Can you help me plan it?”

“I can come but mummy-”

“Mummy got upset when I disturbed her. She'll get mad at me, and I don't want her to be angry. Can you help me instead?”

My heart clenches, caught between the tenderness in Rayen’s eyes and the chaos of everything spinning around my life.

I crouch down again, looking into his hopeful face. “Your mum might not like that very much, Rayen. Why not do it with Aunt Sloane. She's excellent at planning.”

He looks down, his small fingers twisting in mine. “Okay..”

I bite the inside of my cheek, forcing a breath through my nose.

Okay , he is doing to me what he wants. To break my heart and trap me in guilt.

This isn’t my place.