Ex-Husband’s Regret by Evelyn M.M

116. First Suspect

Chapter 116

“What do you mean she slipped into a coma?” Theo asks with an unmistakable tremble in his voice.

My heart was once again thudding against my ribcage. It felt like it wanted to punch a whole right through my fucking chest.

I try to think clearly, but it’s like my brain can’t function. Time slowed down as the doctor spoke. All I

heard was a ringing in my ear.

I stumble back and fall on the seat I had vacated. Gabe and my dad put their hands on me, but I shake

them off. I didn’t want their comfort. I wanted the doctor to tell me that the surgery had been a success

and that in a few hours Ava would wake up.

“She had a total of four bullets. One hit her head, the second hit her chest, the third hit her stomach, and

the final one hit her thigh. We were able to remove three of them successfully, except for the one in her

skull. It was lodged too deep and removing it would have killed her.”

Fuck. I don’t know what to feel or think about that. He is telling us that Ava will have to live with a bullet

stuck in her head. How is any of that fair? She was okay this morning before things took a turn for the

worst.

‘At least she’s alive,‘ a voice whispers.

I ignore it. She was alive, but would she stay alive? That was the main fucking question.

2. over, had to drill her skull to drain

“We were able to stop the bleeding, both internal and external. We,

fluid, which helped with the swelling in her brain. She flat–lined twice. It’s after the second time that she

slipped into a comma. For now, she’s in ICU.”

If I thought nothing could hurt me worse than seeing Ava get shot, then I was wrong. Hearing that we

almost lost her twice destroyed me. It is like being stabbed by a thousand sharp knives. I wouldn’t wish

anyone this fucking pain. Not even my worst enemy.

“Will she wake up?” I breathe hoarsely. “Will she be able to make a full recovery?”

“At this point, we can’t really say. This isn’t an induced coma, and we can’t assure you that she’ll wake up

in a few days. She might wake up tomorrow, in a few days, in a few months, or she might not wake up at

all. For now, we’ll give it a few days to see whether she’ll wake up.”

she might not wake up nearly brought me

1/4

+15 BONUS

that. She’s strong; she’ll wake up. In

and snapping

brain? Will living with it have any effect on her?”

her cheek.

begin to imagine how hard this must be for her. I can’t ever imagine facing the

just too much to even think

some who live perfectly normal lives, and there are others who are affected. She

things, have speech and hearing issues, or have trouble recognizing

things that might be affected by the kind of injury

can’t say for sure. We have to wait for

If she wakes up,

it’s in the way he looks at us. The uncertainty

down her face. Theo pulls her

is nowhere to be seen. The

heartbroken parents.

have to come back tomorrow, and even

Now,

just as

to me, while Gunner goes

Is mom okay?” He looks up at me with hope,

hard part of being a parent. Knowing whether to tell your kid the fucking truth or lie to

him that the doctors aren’t really sure his

him

just have to wait and pray.” I decide to

up, he would end up hating me for lying that his mom was

anything. Just looks at me

1

minutes of silence, I turn and face the

able to see her today, I think you should all

tomorrow.”

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+15 BONUS

the same time, followed by Nora and

them that I’ll let them know if something comes up, but they refuse to budge. In the end, everyone decides to stay except for Emma, Cal, Kate,

tell them that Noah can’t stay in the hospital and that he needs someone with him. Cal agrees for the sake of Gunner. The boy was already yawning

sits by my side after they leave. There is little talking.

arrives.

interview the witnesses about Ava’s shooting. I’m

happened to her.”

I nod my head.

“Have you found anything?”

beyond what we already know and have seen

I was hoping they would have

she in any state to be

voice hardens. I know it’s not his fault since he

pisses me

a coma,” I

doesn’t do anything to elevate what

can give me? Has

around her? Any information, no matter how small, could

shake my head.