Ex-Husband’s Regret by Evelyn M.M

His letter

1 stare at the piece of paper on my table, not really sure what to do about it.

I was now at home. I had gotten back like an hour ago. The whole time, I spent it debating whether I should open it or tear it to pieces

The paper had been burning a hole in my purse the entire time I drove back home. Now, here I am

Still staring at it.

A part of me was curious about it contents. The other didn’t much care about what was written. The man who wrote it hated me. What good could come out of reading a letter written by him?

I pick it up, about to tear it, but a voice stops me.

‘Just read the damn thing. What’s the worst that could happen?‘ my inner voice whispers.

I cringe at the words.

Famous last words. I think to myself.

The worst thing that could happen is he hurts me.

Words were dangerous. They cause more damage than any weapon can. I still remember some of the harsh words my so called parents said to me over the years. The wounds their words inflicted

have never truly healed.

‘Just open it!‘ the voice screams.

Not giving myself a second to back out, I unfold the letter.

[Dear Ava,

If you’re reading this then it’s because I didn’t make it out of surgery. Truth be told, I don’t think I

will. They’re trying to save me not knowing that their efforts are futile. I am too far gone and I can already see you grandparents calling me to come join them. It may be the imagination of a dying

man or not, but I believe I have a special place in hell for how I treated you.

You were such a sweet girl when Winnie left you with us, but we destroyed that. We destroyed

your light and I will forever regret that I did that to you my sweet girl.

I remember when she still had you. I used to play with you and Emma. You were so innocent and

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you, Travis

said was making any sense. If he used to like being around me when

piece

to you, but when Winnie died and she asked us to take you in, something

an excuse because nothing can make how

disgusting and

a vengeful bitch. I am getting

sorry I am. For everything I did to you. It

for what I did and said, but it’s all I have. I’m

being the worst father. Sorry for being the monster

won’t ask for forgiveness because I don’t deserve it. What I deserve is to

your mother. She’ll

mistakes towards you, she’ll

remember that I love you. I may not have showed

my darling sweet

and shove it back in my bag feeling angry for

know why the letter affected me so much when mother’s tears didn’t.

wrote before died. Correct that, he wrote it

abruptly and leave for my bedroom. I push every thought

want to think about the pain

block them because I know that if

head, then I would

can’t afford to be weak right now. It would cost me more than I’m willing to bargain. I had

risk going back to the darkness that almost

my soul.

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down Refusing to let the tears flow. I’ve cried enough for these

tears on people that didn’t

fatigue, both emotional and physical weighs me down and

up it’s around eleven

down in the process. I was supposed to pick Noah up at nine since Rowan had to fly out for

it in less than ten minutes. Once I’m

the kitchen having breakfast. He was wearing

“I wanted to wake you up, but dad told

on here?” I

something. I want to finish these before I leave” Rowan

you already late for your meeting? You

sleep, so I let

that I don’t know what to think. This was a side of him I didn’t know existed. I don’t want to see it because I don’t want to think of