Ex-Husband’s Regret by Evelyn M.M

39. Underneath the surface

“What?” Emma whispers besides me in shock

The whole room is quiet. Everyone is completely surprised. No one saw this coming. No one

imagined that Ava would be the founder of such a large organization.

Hell, I was married to the woman and I had no clue That leaves a lot to be fucking said about me if

I didn’t know this about Ava

‘Did you know this?” Gabe asks, eyes and mouth wide.

“No” I growl pissed that I had missed such a thing.

I watch as she pushes back her chair She stands up and Ethan stands up with her while offering

her his hand with a smile she places her hand on his and he walks her towards the stage. I

clench my jaw when he places his hand on her exposed back when he helps her up the stairs.

Once she’s there, he steps down. She gives Mary a hug before she steps up to the podium

She smiles before clearing her throat

“Hi” she chuckles nervously “For some reason it’s easier for me to address a room full of rowdy

teenagers than a room full of adults”

This earns her a couple of smiles and laughs from people.

I don’t think there is anyone here who doesn’t know me and it there is, my name is Ava Sharp

Like Mary said, the reason we are here today is to celebrate all of you for your continued help in Hope Foundation Being a teacher, you see a lot of things at school Kids with bruises inflicted by abusive patents, kids going hungry because they don’t have lunch money, kids with tattered

clothes and shoes because their parents are so poor that even coming to school is a luxury and

kids who are homeless and live on the streets” she says, hei voice captivating her audience

seen the elites pay this much attention

go through such hardships broke my heart, so I started helping the best way i could fetarted with one boy in my class, then another, and another Behere kurmit I hat mote dono dozen children t was helping That’s where

place where they did have to worry about

I started with buiding The Hope House and God blessed

+15 BONUS

#

ago, we have expanded The Hope Houses and we are

more under our care all ranging from a few months old to eighteen. We make sure that they don’t lack for anything and we even give the older ones allowance” She pauses before pointing to the tables at the center

them hope that it doesn’t matter where they came from, they can still make it. To

and for every single donation. I pray for

away from the podium.

corner of the room as people stand up to appreciate her. They continue to clap until she steps

“That’s all for today,

watch Ava completely mesmerized. Who would have thought that there was so

underneath her surface?

my wildest dream did I imagine that she was the founder of the largest children’s organization”

some kids who had been

know right?” Gabe adds, the shocked look still plastered

was like she had this whole secret life that I never

Christine had exited. I turn to glare at them only to find Mary

me, I’m just exhausted, you’re Ava’s family right?” she asks and Travis numbly nods

else, just picks up her

+15 BONUS

“Isn’t that Caleb Kingstone of Kingstone technologies? What’s

he

directed. It was on the young

familiar

about two years back. He is the youngest CEO and already has made a name for himself in the business world. At only

one spot as the top entrepreneur in the country. The boy was giving a lot of the other

money.

She encouraged him to start something with his talent. When he came up with the idea of having his own company, Ava backed him up. She gave him the startup capital he needed. No one believed in him back then,

stare at her. Each of us trying

words you’re saying she’s taking advantage of the kids under her care

had enough of

with the fucking snide remarks” I growl,

us but mind their business when I glare at them. Emma looks at me like she’s never

in a sneer. “Ava doesn’t need anyone to make ber rich, the woman was a

you talking about?” Travis