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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with you, Travis and

confused. None of what he said was making any sense. If he used to like being around me when Winnie was still alive, then what the hell

at the piece

monster to you, but when Winnie died and she asked us to

as an excuse because nothing can

and

that this is my punishment. Karma is really a vengeful bitch. I am getting exactly what I deserve for how I

this world, I want to tell you how sorry I am. For everything I did to you. It

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

being the worst father. Sorry for being the monster in your

it. What I deserve is to burn in

there for your mother. She’ll need you. She has a good

towards you,

remember that I love you. I may not have showed it to

my darling sweet

fold the paper and shove it back in my bag feeling

letter affected me so much

last thing he wrote before died. Correct

stand up abruptly and leave for my bedroom.

them. I don’t want to think about the pain they caused me.

them because I know that if I allow them to

then I would

would cost me more than I’m willing

wasn’t going to risk going back to the darkness that

my soul.

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

going to waste my tears on people that didn’t deserve

The fatigue, both emotional and physical weighs me down and I fall into a

wake up it’s

supposed to pick Noah up at nine since Rowan had to

it in less than ten minutes. Once I’m done I rush down the

notice Rowan and Noah in the kitchen having breakfast. He was wearing a suit and was making pancakes. It was

full. “I wanted to wake

here?” I ask

eat something. I want to

you already late for your meeting? You

needed the sleep, so I

him I didn’t know existed. I don’t want to see it because I don’t want to think of him as the good guy. I don’t