Ex-Husband’s Regret by Evelyn M.M

71. Making a promise

“Noah, are you done with your homework?” I call, but I don’t get an answer.

It was Friday afternoon and I was dead tired on my feet. I had forgotten when you’re pregnant how

easily you get tired. Every single thing tired me out.

The only thing I’m grateful for is that I never experienced morning sickness unlike when I was

pregnant with Noah. 1

“Noah?” I call him again.

I wonder what the hell he is doing. I usually get an answer immediately. Unless something has

caught his attention and distracted him.

Before I can carry my tired body to go upstairs to check on him, my doorbell rings.

I release a heavy sigh. It’s not that I didn’t want to see anybody, I just wanted to take a break.

Maybe have a long bath.

I spent the whole day at the Hope Foundation going through tons of documents that needed my

attention. My eyes were dry, My mind was burnt out and my body was aching all over.

Dragging myself, I open my door and I am surprised to find Calvin and Gunner at my doorstep. It’s

been two days since that day in my backyard.

When Gunner didn’t show up when Noah got back from school, I assumed that maybe Calvin

didn’t want anything to do with us. After all, he was really grumpy during our whole encounter.

“Hi” shock was clearly in my voice and I couldn’t hide it.

“Hi Miss Ava” Gunner tells me sweetly with a smile. “These are for you”

It’s then that I notice he has a bouquet of flowers. Pink roses to be exact. He hands them to me and

I take them gratefully.

“Thank you Gunner. These are beautiful” Without thinking, I bend down and kiss his cheeks.

When I straighten, he gives me a shy smile. Just like with Noah, I could already tell that Gunner

was a sweet boy.

I shift my eyes to his father, “Would you like to come in?”

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He looks hesitant at first, but when Gunner pulls his hand, he agrees.

I lead them straight to the kitchen where I had been baking cookies and cupcakes. Noah had

requested for them and though I was tired, I couldn’t refuse him.

“You’re just in time to eat some goodness” I tell them as the oven timer pings.

I look for a vase and place the beautiful flowers Gunner brought me.

place some cookies in

mommy”

Then his footsteps as he runs down the hallway and then the

later, he breaks through the kitchen door. He comes to a stop when he

visitors.

NCH TH

love. I want you to meet someone” he hesitantly takes a step until he’s

1. me.

W

a bit shy at first glance. That is before you get to know him better. When he

believe that he’s the same boy. He’ll

Gunner, this is my son Noah. He’s the one I

telling you about”

be awkward between them at

Gunner smiles “Hi”

room?” Noah asks at the same

“Sure”

a bunch of cookies and hands them to Gunner. Then he goes to

get a couple of juice

game to show

by his actions. I thought it would take a bit of pushing

I guess I

Gunner made

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completely forgotten that

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is like that too at first. He has to get comfortable

Then he’s much better off. When I say that Gunner is reserved I mean, he likes his own company. He doesn’t like making friends

himself”

“Seriously?” I ask shocked.

I think Rex and I are his

at that. I wasn’t a child psychologist but I was a teacher. Even I knew that that wasn’t typical

child to be that withdraw, then there is probably a problem.

to take one look at

was wrong. If Gunner is as

that way.

of his shell”

the barstools, I exhale in relief that I was off my feet.

of the cupcake. My mind completely

Calvin says after

“For what?”

rude the other

my hands dismissively, I face him. “In your defence, I was being too extra, so don’t

about it”

me of the pain I saw in his eyes.

to hide

assume he’s okay, but I can tell he is not. I recognize the

go through

been hurt to see the pain others are trying to hide. Especially

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a living?” He asks, probably

on leave for the next

decided against it. Even though I was bored being

this time to myself. Not only because of the pregnancy, but also

my mental state. O

together with Rowan? Noah is his doppelgänger. It’s so

“Everyone in this damn city knows what happened with Rowan.

was a

think of how my life would have been

if it wasn’t for that night, then I wouldn’t have Noah.