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.

again as I place some cookies in front of

coming mommy” he

his footsteps as he runs down the hallway and

comes to a stop when he sees that we

visitors.

NCH TH

you to meet someone” he hesitantly takes a step until he’s

1. me.

W

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

believe that he’s the same boy. He’ll talk

lives next door and Gunner, this is my son

telling you about”

being honest, I thought things will be awkward between them

Gunner smiles “Hi”

my room?” Noah asks

“Sure”

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

couple of juice

got a new game to show you”

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

I guess I didn’t need

well. I’m surprised Gunner made the

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I had completely forgotten that he was

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He has to

reserved I mean, he likes his own company. He doesn’t like making friends or meeting new people. Even in school, he keeps

himself”

“Seriously?” I ask shocked.

point I think Rex

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

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

just have to take one look at them to know they adore

as withdrawn as Cal says, then

that way.

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

the island. Taking one of the barstools, I exhale in relief

cupcake.

apologize” Calvin says

“For what?”

rude the other

dismissively, I face him. “In your defence,

about it”

reminds me of the pain I saw in his eyes. Right now he has done a

to hide

I can tell he is not. I recognize the struggle in his soul because

through the same

hurt to see the pain others are trying to hide. Especially if it’s

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a living?” He asks, probably

but I’m on leave

thought about going back, but I decided

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

my mental state. O

Rowan? Noah is his doppelgänger. It’s

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

It was a drunk night gone

I think of how my life would have been different if

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