Ex-Husband’s Regret by Evelyn M.M

6. A new version

Rowan

There is something that happens inside you when you see your ex–wife, the mother of your son, shot and bleeding on the cold cemetery ground. Something I never thought I would feel towards Ava. 1

When I saw the men with guns pointing at us, I didn’t fucking think. I knew Noah was safe with my parents so my instincts took over and I dived for Emma. I would die for her and I was prepared to do just that..

I was relieved when the shooters ran after seeing the police but my relief was short lived when one of the officers shouted for an ambulance. I turned around wondering who was hurt, only I didn’t expect it to be Ava and seeing her hurt almost brought me to my knees.

It was a flurry of events after that. The ambulance arrived and the officer refused to let Ava go until he made sure she was safely in the able arms of the doctor.

I was pissed at his reluctance to let her go, she was my wife, I mean ex–wife but more importantly I was pissed at myself. I should have protected her. If something worse had happened to Ava, how would I have explained it to Noah? How would I justify the fact that I had failed to protect his mother?

So here I was pacing back and forth in the waiting room. So fucking worried because we hadn’t gotten a word since Ava was rushed to the emergency room. No one had come out to inform us of the prognosis.

“Please let her be okay” Kate, her mother whispered.

This is the first time I’ve heard any emotion in her voice when she talked about Ava I guess losing her husband and then almost losing her daughter softened her a bit.

We were all here with the exception of Noah Travis was seated next to Kate who was next to

Emma

I sat down unable to control the anxiety inside me. I needed her to be okay for Noah’s sake. I kept telling myself

I don’t know fo

ow long we were waiting, but when I looked up I saw Ava. She was over at the nurse’s station handing off papers. Her left arm was in a sling as she took her credit card and put it in her bag.

With difficulty, she managed to get out her phone, while still holding her bag. You could see that it wasn’t an easy task by the frown on her face.

+15 BONUS

“Ava” I called as she was about to walk past us. Her eyes still on her phone.

She looked up. I immediately noticed that something about her was different. I couldn’t place my

finger on it but it was there.

“What are you doing here, did someone else get hurt?” she asked. Her voice flat and devoid of any

emotion.

“How are you doing?” her mom asked instead of replying.

“Unfortunately for you, I’m not dead yet”

Her answer took everyone by surprise. Not only because of how she worded, but because of how cold it was.

I decide to cut in. “Where are you going”

“Home” was her only answer.

“Your hand is in a sling, you can’t drive” I reason.

“That’s why I called an Uber”

about you father”

was something missing. I could

at her mother. “I don’t see what that has to do with me,

didn’t consider me

mother’s throat but Ava doesn’t pay any attention to her. It’s

her feelings leaving

towards the door but then stopped.

answered.

you’ll get that talk after

drive you” I

a frown from Emma but she’s got to understand. No matter my difference

is hurt. Not forgetting that she was

turns me down. “No need. I’ll use the Uber like

saying anything else, she turned and left. We stare at the place she just

Usy, she would jump at any opportunity to be close

she rejected my offer.

+15 BONUS

and leaves before we’ve had the

off. Breaking every speed

Ava who was basically ignoring them. It was weird seeing this side of her. Most of the time she would try to make small

this over with” she says in

wanted to partner with me. I

gang. Neither James nor I wanted anything illegal to touch our companies. We knew that it would be inevitable if we continued with them

as if she was confused

drained by the events of today. “Turns out the gang members were among the most wanted, they didn’t take it well that we had

took it from there. “They started threatening your father. They promised to make him pay then came after his wife and children. They blamed him because he was the one that had approached them even though he didn’t they were involved in illegal business. We thought that they were bluffing with their threats

already knew. I look at Emma to

then turn to Ava and the same dead and cold look is still

voice is cool

“I’m going to take

not taking this

much danger

us planning her funeral

like I said I don’t see how this involves

+15 BONUS

I was feeling. “You were

tells me is that I

speak but Ava

not me. Everyone in this damn city knows

this family, so what’s the use of going after someone

if she died?”

words cut through the air leaving us.cold.

to look at me. Her eyes are devoid of any emotion. It’s like she was dead on

looked at me bothered me. I hated that I couldn’t

her eyes

about, someone whose safety should be your priority then. it’s the woman beside you. She was his perfect little princess, so

he created” she pauses then faces the

ass concern. I don’t fucking need it and if it turns out I’m danger I will deal

mother gasps and we stare at her in surprise. Unable to recognize the

1. looks like Ava has

her down, trying to intimidate

but not this

always you want everything to be about you” she seethes making

is ever about me. It’s always you but that’s not what we’re discussing right now. I’ve lived without these people’s protection for as long as I can