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”

we need to talk. It’s about you father” Kate whispers making Ava turn

something missing. I could

see what that has

consider me

doesn’t pay any attention to her. It’s

leaving nothing behind but

but then stopped. “Where is

mom’s house” Travis answered. His eyes drilling into

like you’ll get that talk

you” I

but she’s got to

and she is

use the Uber like

turned and left. We stare at the place she

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

she rejected my offer.

+15 BONUS

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

together, so we all jump into my Cadillac Escalade and drive off. Breaking every speed limit, we get to Kate’s house just in

get out. Getting inside the house we find my parents, Gabe and Ava who was basically ignoring them. It was weird seeing this side of her. Most of the time she would try to make small talk with them even when they snubbed

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

to partner with me. I agreed because I thought it was a good investment” I

company. It was later that we realized that the company belonged to a criminal gang. Neither James nor I wanted anything illegal to touch our companies. We knew that it would be inevitable if we continued with them so

word, her brows were furrowed as if she was confused about where this was

take it well that we had ousted them

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 that’s until

I look at Emma

I then turn to Ava and the same dead

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

“I’m going

not taking this seriously” I say through

meant? How much danger she was in.

with us planning her funeral

like I said I don’t

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growled portraying the same frustration I was feeling.

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

speak but Ava cuts her

you, not me. Everyone in this damn city knows that none of

this family, so what’s the use

if she died?”

us.cold. This

to look at me. Her eyes are devoid of

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

her eyes

about, someone whose safety should be your priority then. it’s

pauses then faces the rest. Staring each and

it turns out I’m danger I will deal with it by

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

1. Kate looks like Ava has just slapped

down, trying to intimidate her. In the past Ava

down but not this

bitch, just like always you want everything to

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 rather not have fake people around me…Now if you’ll excuse me, I need