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?”

1/5

+15 BONUS

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.

I call again as I place some

mommy” he

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

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

visitors.

NCH TH

to meet someone” he hesitantly takes a step until

1. me.

W

before you get to know him

that he’s the same

Gunner. He lives next door and Gunner, this

telling you about”

I thought things will be awkward between them at

Gunner smiles “Hi”

play in my room?” Noah asks at the same

“Sure”

bunch of cookies and hands them to Gunner.

couple of

I’ve got a new game to show

surprised by his actions. I thought it would take a

I guess

that went well. I’m surprised Gunner made

2/5

I had completely forgotten that

+15 BONUS

first. He has to get comfortable

off. When I say that Gunner is reserved I mean, he likes his own

himself”

“Seriously?” I ask shocked.

this point I think Rex and I are his

a child psychologist but I was a teacher. Even

be that withdraw, then there is probably a problem. I know it doesn’t lie

take one look at them to know

If Gunner is as withdrawn as Cal says,

that way.

of his shell” I mumble,

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

cupcake. My

wanted to apologize” Calvin

“For what?”

as rude the other

him. “In your defence, I was

about it”

that day reminds me of the pain I saw in his eyes. Right now he has

trying to hide

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

go through the

to see the pain others are trying to hide. Especially

315

+15 BONUS

you do for a living?” He asks, probably

a teacher, but I’m on leave for

but I decided

myself. Not only because

my mental state. O

Noah is his doppelgänger.

this damn city knows what happened with Rowan. I didn’t

a

curse that night when I think of how my life would have

for that night, then I