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

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

down at the piece

be such a monster to you, but when Winnie died and she asked us to take you in, something just shifted

this as an excuse because nothing can make how we treated you

disgusting and

I am getting exactly what I deserve for how I treated

sorry

and said, but it’s all I have. I’m so sorry for

Sorry for being the monster in your

it. What I deserve is to

that you be there for your mother. She’ll

her mistakes towards

remember that I love you. I may not

darling

paper and shove it back

know why the letter affected me so much when mother’s

wrote before died. Correct that, he wrote

abruptly and leave for my bedroom. I

to think about the

block them because I know that if

head, then

It would cost me

wasn’t going to risk going back

my soul.

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bed and lie down Refusing to let the

to waste my tears on people

tiredness catches up to me. The fatigue, both emotional and physical weighs me

I wake up it’s

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

in less than ten minutes. Once I’m done I rush down the stairs, praying I don’t trip and break my

breakfast. He was wearing a suit and was making pancakes.

you’re finally awake” Noah screams with his mouth full. “I wanted to

on here?” I ask in

and eat something. I want to finish these before I leave” Rowan replies

already late for your meeting?

meeting. You looked like you needed the sleep, so I let you sleep” he says

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