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.

place some cookies in front of

coming mommy” he shouts

close. Then his footsteps as he runs

He comes to a stop when he sees

visitors.

NCH TH

I want you to meet someone” he hesitantly

1. me.

W

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

that he’s the same boy.

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

telling you about”

thought things will be awkward between them at

Gunner smiles “Hi”

play in my room?” Noah asks

“Sure”

bunch of cookies and hands them to Gunner. Then he

couple of

got a new game to

would take a bit

Gunner. I guess I

well. I’m surprised Gunner made

2/5

face him. I had completely forgotten that he was even

+15 BONUS

at first. He has to get comfortable

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

himself”

“Seriously?” I ask shocked.

At this point I think Rex

child psychologist but I was a teacher. Even I knew that that

child to be that withdraw, then there is probably

one look at

If Gunner is as withdrawn as Cal says, then

that way.

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

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

cupcake. My mind completely

wanted to apologize” Calvin says after

“For what?”

as rude the

my hands dismissively, I face him. “In your defence, I was being too extra,

about it”

I saw in his eyes.

to hide

can tell he is

go through the

someone who’s been hurt to see the pain

315

+15 BONUS

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

leave for

had thought about going back, but I decided against it.

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

my mental state. O

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

snort. “Everyone in this damn city knows what happened with Rowan. I didn’t get

It was a drunk

think of how my life would have been

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