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.

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“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”

father” Kate

missing. I could

“I don’t see what that has

consider

but Ava doesn’t pay any attention to her. It’s like she

feelings leaving nothing behind

but then stopped. “Where is

house” Travis answered. His eyes drilling

“Looks like you’ll get that

you” I

from Emma but she’s got to understand.

Noah’s mother and she is hurt. Not forgetting that she

use the Uber

left. We

would jump at any opportunity to be close to me. So we were all surprised

she rejected my offer.

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gets home and leaves before we’ve had the chance to talk” Kate says softly. Her voice

Cadillac Escalade and drive off. Breaking every speed limit, we get to Kate’s house just in time to see Ava

find my parents, Gabe and Ava who was basically ignoring them. It was

over with” she says in irritation as she takes a

that he wanted to partner with me. I agreed

company. It was later that we realized that the company belonged to a criminal gang. Neither James nor I wanted anything illegal to touch

her brows were furrowed as if she was confused about where

out the gang members were among the most wanted, they didn’t take it well that we had ousted

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

knew. I look at Emma to find shock and fear etched

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

any of this has to do with me” her voice is cool as she looks at us. Her eyes piercing us like

going to take Noah and

this seriously” I say through

meant? How much danger she

with us planning her funeral

and like I said I

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I was feeling. “You were

me is that I was in

Kate goes to speak but Ava cuts

They were after the three of you, not me. Everyone in this damn city knows that none

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

if she died?”

cut through the air leaving us.cold. This was so unlike her.

at me. Her eyes are devoid of any emotion. It’s like

way she looked at me bothered me. I hated that

her eyes

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

the rest. Staring each

and if it turns out I’m danger I will deal with

stare at her in surprise. Unable to recognize

1. Kate looks like Ava

her down, trying to intimidate her. In the past

but

always you want everything to be about you” she seethes making Ava laugh tonelessly.

sister but nothing 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 remember, I don’t know why they’re all of a sudden interested in my safety. It’s fake and I’d