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” Kate whispers making Ava turn

something missing. I could

her mother. “I don’t see what that has to

consider

doesn’t pay any attention to her.

her feelings leaving nothing behind but

but then stopped. “Where

mom’s house” Travis answered. His eyes

sighed. “Looks like you’ll

you” I

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

is hurt. Not forgetting that

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

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

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

she rejected my offer.

+15 BONUS

and leaves before we’ve had

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

Gabe and Ava who was basically ignoring them. It was weird seeing this side of her. Most of

this over with” she says in irritation as she takes

me with a business proposal that he wanted to partner with me. I agreed because I thought it was a good investment”

belonged to a criminal gang. Neither James nor I wanted anything illegal to touch our companies. We knew that it would be inevitable if

were furrowed as if she was confused

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

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

knew. I look at Emma to find shock and

to Ava and the same dead and cold look is still

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

stands up. “I’m going

not taking this seriously” I say through

what this meant? How much danger she was in. How‘

with us planning

am and like I said I don’t see how

+15 BONUS

I was feeling. “You were shot today

it tells me is that

goes to speak but Ava

of you, not me. Everyone

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

if she died?”

us.cold. This was so unlike her. What

are devoid of any emotion. It’s like she was dead on the

about the way she looked at me bothered me. I hated that I couldn’t see

her eyes

be your priority then. it’s the woman beside you. She was his perfect little princess,

created” she pauses then faces the rest. Staring

out I’m danger I will deal with it by myself. I’d

stare at her in surprise.

1. Kate looks like Ava has just

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

but not this

want everything to

as long as I can remember, I don’t know why they’re all