Ex-Husband’s Regret by Evelyn M.M

Ava

“I still don’t understand why I have to go. Why can’t I just stay here with you?” Noah complains. A frown marring his handsome face.

He’s been sore about this whole thing since I told him that he’ll be leaving with his grandparents. At first he was excited about it but then he became saddened when he realized that neither I nor his father would be joining him.

His school had been understanding of our situation His teacher even agreed to send lessons to mother so that he isn’t left too behind.

“I already told you baby, this is a grandparents–grandson kind of vacation…it’s just for you and you grandparents.”

After talking to the chief he assured me that they’ll be sent somewhere tropical.

“You’re going to a beach. Haven’t you been begging us to take you for a vacation?” I add with a

mischievous smile.

The word ‘beach‘ immediately catches his attention. All the complaints he had, now lost.

Noah is obsessed with the ocean. He loves beaches so much that he once cried for a whole week

after we returned from a vacation in the Maldives. He’d wanted us to move there. When we refused

he’d pleaded for us to just leave him there.

I smile at the memory. So grateful for the happiness and joy Noah has filled my life with.

“You’re not lying to me are you?” he asks, pulling me back from my thoughts.

“Would I ever lie to you?”

“No” his frown turns into a full blown smile. His grey eyes shining in happiness. “I guess it’s okay then. I’m not mad at you anymore”

“Why were you mad at me?” I ask

“Because you refused to come with me, but it’s okay now. You can always join us later”

I wanted to tell him I won’t be joining him but I stop myself. I wasn’t going to risk him going back.

to being sad and moody again.

“Now, come one let’s go or we’ll be late” I take my handbag and sling it over my uninjured shoulder

While I grab his small suitcase, he grabs his duffel bag and rushes downstairs Carefully, I bring

+15 BONUS

I was just about to order an Uber when my door bell rings. I rush to open before Noah can. He has a

tendency to open the door without first asking who is on the other side. No matter how many

times I caution him. No matter how many times I tell him to ask first and not to open if the person

on the other side doesn’t answer or he doesn’t recognize his or her voice. He just never listens.

Opening the door, I groan when I see who is on the other side.

Why did it seem like that the moment I decide to get over Rowan is when he seems to be

everywhere I turn?

“Dad!” Noah rushes past me and throws himself on his father.

“Hey buddy” Rowan greets him then hugs him close.

He sniffs him. Breathing his scent in. I once asked him why he does that and he told me Noah’s

scent just calms him. Like how fragrances calm other people down.

He puts him down and faces me. Noah rushes back to the living room. His excitement making

him hyper.

here?” seems like I’ve been asking him this

days.

He shrugs his shoulder.

you to the airport” he says as he gestures

explanation

face gives nothing away. I now

to me. I’m the only one he looks at

them a sort of

that. I’ve already called

lie. The last thing I wanted was to be stuck with him in a moving car

us to get

cold voice sending

wonder why I fell for him. He is cold, arrogant and

have ran for the hills

in my power to make him

Now leave, I’ll meet you

think he was coming to my house and throwing out commands? This was

allow him to rule

+15 BONUS

steps into my space so we’re chest to chest. His eyes flash and his nostrils flare,

to let him

fucking order and get your ass into my car” he growls through clench teeth. A storm brewing behind his stormy eyes.

rise and I clench my fist. Usually I would push it down because

but I no longer give

arrogant son of bitch…who the hell do you think you’re, hmm? I’m not some fucking puppy

For years I kept my mouth shut because I didn’t want to fracture. what I thought we had. But what did it bring me? What did pushing down and containing who I am give? Nothing. It

says in a

you two fighting again?” Noah’s voice

around to find him looking at us sadly. Damn it!

us fighting all the

can’t agree on

anger and coldness on his face

Noah. Including tolerating my

go with an Uber’since she can’t drive but

with a lazy

we just

cast my eyes heavenward. Damn him for throwing me under the bus.

he looks at me so

defeat. “Alright, fine”

things I do

rushes back to the leaving room before coming

and then leave

pick things up. I

in place before

a chest, my handbag falls from my hand. Rowan wraps an arm around me and steadies me before I can fall. I jump away

+15 BONUS

told you to wait at the foyer” I

what to do

“Let’s just go”

grabs it before I can. Then he picks Noah’s abandoned suitcase, turns around and leaves I watch him wondering what has gotten into him. Not once has he helped me before. He was acting strangely and

my feet moving and lock the door, Rowan and Noah were already seated

and the atmosphere is awkward. Noah was busy on his tablet watching. some cartoon. Once he’s focused on something it’s hard to get his attention. Another ten minutes in and I was going crazy. I’m almost tempted to throw myself out of the moving car just to escape.

move my hands to turn on the radio

the arm?” he asks His eyes were on the road

does the one

“Fine”

me more than just a one word answer?”

great lengths to tune me out” I say as a matter of fact. “So

The familiar pain threatens to rise up but I push it back down. I’m set on healing from those past hurts and it starts by forgetting about it and about the man sitting

that we would just get where we are

mother was asking for you, haven’t you spoken to

Rowan. Can you just ignore me and pretend like I don’t exist like you

grip on the steering wheel tightens. I see his jaw clench. He was getting pissed. Probably because I wasn’t acting like the meek lamb he was used to. The

+15 BONUS

to break my back trying to make him happy. Trying to be what he wants. Trying to be like Emma. I did everything I could to be the wife he could fall in love with. Now I