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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playing with you, Travis

If he used to like being around me when

at the piece of paper, I continue

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

this as an excuse because nothing can make how we

and uncalled

is really a vengeful bitch. I am getting exactly what I deserve for how I treated you my darling

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

and said, but it’s all I have. I’m

for being the monster

because I don’t deserve it. What I deserve is to burn in the pits of

your mother. She’ll

her mistakes towards you,

may not have showed it to you, but

my darling sweet

fold the paper and shove it back in my

why the letter affected me so

before died. Correct that,

abruptly and leave for my bedroom. I push

think about them. I don’t want to think

block them because I know that if

head, then I would

to be weak right now. It would cost me more

wasn’t going to risk

my soul.

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

tears on people

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

I wake up it’s

I was supposed to pick Noah up

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

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

to wake you up, but dad told me to

going on here?”

a seat and eat something. I want to finish these before I leave”

meeting? You should have

like you needed the sleep, so I let you sleep”

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 him as the good guy. I don’t