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”

need to talk. It’s about you father”

was something missing. I could see

she stared at her mother. “I don’t see what that has to do with me, the last time I

didn’t consider me

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

off all her feelings leaving nothing behind but a cruel

the door but then

house” Travis answered. His eyes drilling into

you’ll

you”

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

is hurt. Not

need. I’ll use the Uber

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

Usy, she would jump at any opportunity to be close to

she rejected my offer.

+15 BONUS

gets home and leaves before we’ve had

all jump into my Cadillac Escalade and drive off. Breaking every speed limit, we

It was weird seeing this

just get this over with” she says in irritation as she takes

he wanted to partner with

James nor I wanted anything illegal to touch our

as if she was confused

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

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

and my parents already knew. I look at Emma to find shock and

same dead and

how any of this has to do with me” her voice is cool as she looks

going to take

Ava, you’re not taking this seriously” I say through gritted

what this meant? How much danger

with us planning her

I

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I was feeling. “You were shot today shouldn’t that

glares at him. “All it tells me is that I was in the right place at

speak but Ava cuts her

you, not me. Everyone in this damn

use of going

if she died?”

the air leaving us.cold.

look at me. Her eyes are devoid of any

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

her eyes

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

created” she pauses then faces the rest. Staring each and

I will deal with

her in

1. like Ava has just

up and stares her down, trying to intimidate her. In the past Ava would

but

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

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