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,

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

piece of paper, I

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

not using this as an excuse because nothing

and

that this is my punishment. Karma is really a vengeful bitch. I am getting exactly

tell you how sorry I am. For everything I

make up for what I did and said, but it’s all I have. I’m so sorry for being a fool.

worst father. Sorry for being

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

ask is that you be there for your mother. She’ll need you. She has a

mistakes towards

I love you. I may not have showed it to you,

my darling sweet

shove it back in

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

the last thing he wrote before died. Correct that, he wrote it while

and leave for my bedroom. I push every thought

want to think about the pain they caused me.

because I know that

then

now. It would cost me more than I’m willing to

my breaking point. I wasn’t going to risk going

my soul.

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on my bed and lie down Refusing to let the tears

going to waste my tears on people

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

up it’s around

bed, falling down in the process. I was supposed to pick Noah up at nine since

and get ready. Doing it in less than ten minutes. Once I’m done

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

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

on here?” I ask in

I want to finish these before I

already late for your meeting? You should have

sleep, so I let you sleep” he says as if it were that

it because I don’t want