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

coming mommy” he

his bedroom door close. Then his footsteps as he runs down the hallway and

door. He comes to a stop

visitors.

NCH TH

want you to meet someone” he hesitantly takes a step

1. me.

W

before you get to know him better. When he

he’s the same boy. He’ll talk your ear

here is Gunner. He lives next door and Gunner, this is my son Noah. He’s

telling you about”

will be awkward between them at first, but

Gunner smiles “Hi”

room?” Noah asks at

“Sure”

a bunch of cookies and hands

couple of juice

new game to show you” Noah

actions. I thought it would take a

I guess I didn’t

made the first move. He’s usually really

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had completely forgotten that he was even

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He has to get comfortable with

I mean, he likes his own company. He doesn’t like making friends or meeting new

himself”

“Seriously?” I ask shocked.

At this point I think Rex and I

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

then there is

look at them to know they adore each

wrong. If Gunner is as withdrawn as

that way.

get him out of his shell” I mumble, handing him a

Taking one of the barstools, I exhale

of the cupcake. My

apologize” Calvin says

“For what?”

off as rude the other

face him. “In your defence, I was being too extra, so

about it”

reminds me of the pain I saw in his eyes. Right now

to

can tell he is not. I recognize

go through

been hurt to see the pain others are trying to

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you do for a living?” He asks, probably trying to make small

on leave for the

decided against it. Even though I was

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

my mental state. O

you got together with Rowan? Noah is his doppelgänger. It’s so uncanny”

in this damn city knows

was a drunk

when I think of how my life

remember that if it wasn’t for that night, then I