Dear Ex Wife Please take me back (Athena and Alex) novel Chapter 202

ATHENA

The scent of roses is the first thing I notice.

Then soft, warm kisses, featherlight on my shoulder, my cheek, and my collarbone.

I stir with a sleepy sigh, the ache between my thighs, a hazy reminder of how thoroughly my husband ruined me last night.

My lashes flutter open, and the first thing I see is Alex. Shirtless with his hair slightly damp, his green eyes burning into mine like he never stopped watching me, not even for a second.

“Good morning, my beautiful wife,” he murmurs against my skin, pressing another kiss to my jaw. “I figured flowers and kisses were a good way to wake you.”

I glance toward the nightstand, and sure enough, a stunning bouquet of deep red roses sits in a crystal vase.

“Are you trying to spoil me?” I ask, my voice still thick with sleep.

“Always,” he replies, brushing my hair from my face. “But right now, I’m here to take care of you.”

He sits up, pulling the sheets down gently. I shift, wincing a little at the soreness between my legs.

Alex notices immediately.

“Too much?” he asks, his voice low and full of concern.

I give him a lazy smile. “Worth every second.”

A dark smirk touches his lips, but he doesn’t push. Instead, he leans down and kisses my forehead, then stands and offers his hand.

“Come with me.”

I let him help me out of bed, his hands firm and steady as I find my footing. My legs still tremble slightly, and he notices that too, scooping me into his arms without another word.

“Alex-”

“No walking. You’ve earned the right to be carried,” he says simply, carrying me through the villa.

He takes me out onto the private terrace, where steam rises from a sunken jacuzzi overlooking the ocean. The air smells like salt and flowers.

He steps in with me in his arms, easing us both into the warm, bubbling water. The heat instantly soothes my body, the ache slowly dulling as I melt into his chest.

“Better?” he murmurs, his hands already working slow circles along my back and thighs.

“Mmm… so much better,” I sigh, resting my head on his shoulder.

We sit like that in silence for a while, the ocean stretching out before us, the sun rising higher in the sky, and the only sound is the gentle ripple of water and his heartbeat under my ear.

He presses a kiss to the crown of my head.

“There is something I've been keeping from you.” He says, making me laugh.

“Your sense of humor has really improved lately. What is it this time?”

But he doesn't respond. He just draws circles on my back. Something he does when he's in deep thought.

I turn so I'm on the other side and can see his face,

“Did something happen?” I ask.

His green eyes find mine, and he hesitates. “I didn't want to tell you earlier because it would have ruined our wedding. It was selfish, I know but-”

I move closer and capture his head between my hands.

“I'm not upset. I trust you. Just tell me what the problem is so we can go back to enjoying our honeymoon.”

He sighs, “When granny was dying, she asked me to find the people who killed your parents.”

I freeze.

The warmth of the water fades beneath the sudden chill crawling up my spine. My breath catches in my throat as I stare at him, my fingers still cradling his face.

“She… she asked you to what?” My voice shakes slightly.

His eyes never leave mine. “To find who was behind it. Your parents' deaths.”

My heart thuds so hard that I can feel it behind my ribs.

That grief I've buried deep for years surfaces like it never left. I blink rapidly, trying to steady myself.

“And?” I whisper. “Did you find them?”

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