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.

I place some cookies

mommy” he

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

He comes to

visitors.

NCH TH

you to meet someone” he hesitantly takes a step until

1. me.

W

is a bit shy at first glance. That is before you

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

and Gunner,

telling you about”

being honest, I thought things will be awkward between them at first,

Gunner smiles “Hi”

Noah asks

“Sure”

a bunch of cookies and hands them

a couple of juice

I’ve got a new game to show you” Noah says as they

was super surprised by his actions. I thought it would take a bit of pushing to get

to Gunner. I guess I didn’t

surprised Gunner made the first move. He’s usually

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I had completely forgotten that he

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that too at first. He has to

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

himself”

“Seriously?” I ask shocked.

At this point 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 behaviour for a child his

be that withdraw, then there is probably a

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

is as withdrawn as

that way.

out of his shell” I

exhale in relief that

cupcake.

to apologize” Calvin

“For what?”

off as rude the other

my hands dismissively, I face him. “In your

about it”

that day reminds me of the pain I saw in

to hide

assume he’s okay, but I can tell he is not. I recognize the struggle in his soul because

go through

someone who’s been hurt to see the pain others are

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

I’m on leave for the next few

going back, but I decided against

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

my mental state. O

you got together with Rowan? Noah is his

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

was a drunk night gone

when I think of how my life would have been

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