Dear Ex Wife, Please take me back novel Chapter 208

ALEX

“I didn't know traitors had birthdays.” I click my tongue as we step into the ridiculously decorated room.

Gold balloons, silk table runners, champagne, and a cake so tall it probably has structural support.

Ian doesn't even eat cake for fuck’s sake.

My sister either does a great job or a shitty job at hosting events there’s never an in-between. And judging by the way the glitter is already sticking to my shoes, this one’s screaming “Emotional breakdown wrapped in sparkle.”

Athena loops her arm through mine and leans in. “Be nice.”

“I am being nice,” I mutter, my eyes narrowing on the guests. “I showed up.”

“Like you wouldn't.” My wife rolls her beautiful eyes in that dramatic way she does and I'm already turned on.

Scratch that, her existence alone turns me on.

Peeling my eyes away from her because I'd hate to move around with a boner, my eyes find Katelyn’s.

She smiles as she walks over to me.

“Look at you all grown up! Why don't you call and visit me anymore?” She pulls me in a tight hug.

“I'm sorry. The past months have been crazy.”

“No worries! I'm glad I can now see you. Athena! How are you sweetheart?”

“I'm fine Mrs Quinn how are you?” My wife smiles.

“Nonsense! We are family, you can call me mum” She winks.

“She loves to collect us like trophies!” I tease, placing my hands in my pockets to keep from touching Athena.

“You can't blame me! I'm a sucker for more kids. But Ian's father wasn't for the idea so here we are. Collecting bonus babies!” She sighs.

“Mrs. Quinn” Sloane's voice seems different.

She's nervous?

“I told you to call me mum, pretty girl!” She reprimands her.

I shake my head,

“If you'll excuse me for a bit. Great party princess.”

She rolls her eyes so hard I'm shocked they're not stuck on the back of her head.

“You're probably mocking me.”

“You know me so well.” I hold back a laugh.

I kiss my wife's lips and her forehead before walking away to join Luca as we wait for the birthday boy to arrive.

“I wonder how they'll get that stubborn ass over here.” Luca says the moment I reach him.

I scoff. “Doesn’t take much to lure in a traitor.”

Luca chuckles.

“Still mad?”

I give him a look. “Does my face look mad?”

The fucker looks up then laughs.

“You're one petty little bitch.”

I grab a bottle of water, “At Least I'm not playing push and pull with my fuck buddy.”

“I should get Ian to grovel at your feet before this bitterness spreads around the world.”

“I’m not bitter,” I say again, my voice like granite.

Luca raises a brow. “You say that the way alcoholics say they’re just social drinkers.”

“More like people who pretend they're not a thing.” I spit as I spot Isabelle walking towards him.

Luca shrugs, casual as ever. “I’m not exclusive with anyone. You know me.”

I smirk. “That sounds really sad.”

Isabelle halts her steps. A look of hurt in her eyes.

I raise my glass to her. “Hey, Isabelle.”

She nods, but her eyes linger on Luca a moment longer, unspoken words hanging in the air.

Luca glances her way, then back at me.

“Fuck.”

I grin. “Sorry? I didn't catch that.”

“Nothing. Ian is walking in. Let's step closer.”

I don’t say anything else.

Because I don’t need to.

His silence and sudden foul mood says enough.

Our heads turn as the double doors swing open.

Sloane, who went to get him walks in, her hand in his as she guides him since he has covered his eyes with a black cloth.

He’s smiling too like he’s got no idea what’s coming,

“Silver, what's going on?”

She moves her hands slowly, then stands on her tip toes even though she's in heels then echoes and cheers shout,

“SURPRISE!!”

A tidal wave of cheers erupt.

My phone buzzes in my pocket.

I check the ID and it's Noah.

I step away from the crowd, glancing at Athena first, she’s laughing at something Katelyn said, the light catching her features just right.

God, she’s beautiful.

I swipe to answer.

“I hope there is a very good reason why you're calling me.”

“I found them.”

I frown. “Found who?”

“The ones responsible for manipulating the flood. The one who killed Athena’s parents.”

My blood goes still.

The music. The laughter. The party.

All of it fades to nothing.

“Noah,” I say carefully, “if this is some kind of sick joke-”

“It’s not,” he cuts in. His voice is hoarse, and low, like he hasn’t slept in days. “You don’t have to believe me. Just hear me out. It's already hard for me to tell you this.”

I stare out the window, clenching my jaw. “Why would I believe anything from you?”

There’s a pause.

“Because I owe her. And you. And this… this is the only way I know how to atone for what I did.”

I don’t answer.

My fingers tighten around the phone. My other hand balls into a fist at my side.

“I’m sending you everything,” he says quietly. “I don’t expect forgiveness. Just give her the truth. She deserves that much.”

He hangs up.

I stare at the screen, my pulse hammering.

Behind me, the party is still going. Ian and Sloane are laughing. Luca pretending he’s not thinking about Isabelle. And my beautiful wife is sipping champagne looking carefree.

For a second I contemplate burryng the truth so that I don't put her through pain again.

Because if Noah’s right…

Then someone out there is still breathing when they shouldn’t be.

And I won’t let them take another breath for long.

So I unlock my phone and take a look.