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.”

might not wake up nearly brought

1/4

+15 BONUS

thoughts away. I can’t think like that. She’s strong; she’ll wake up. In

up, glaring and snapping

bullet in her brain? Will living with it have

her cheek.

hard this must be for

It’s just too much to even

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

have speech and hearing issues, or

These are just a few things that might be affected by the kind

for sure. We have to wait

If she wakes up,

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

face. Theo pulls her into his arms and

be seen. The only ones

heartbroken parents.

already past visiting hours, you’ll have to come

the room with her. Now, if you’ll excuse

him, and he leaves just as mom

while Gunner goes to his

He looks up at me with hope, shinning

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

really sure his mother will wake up from the coma, or should

tell him

sure, Bud. We’ll just have to wait and

God forbid, Ava never wakes up, he would end up hating me for lying that his mom

Just looks at me

1

minutes of silence, I turn

today, I think you should all go

tomorrow.”

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+15 BONUS

the same time, followed by Nora and

convince 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, and

and that he needs someone with him. Cal agrees for the sake of Gunner.

There is little talking. Mostly we just sit in silence, that

arrives.

here late. We had to interview the witnesses about Ava’s shooting. I’m really

happened to her.”

I nod my head.

“Have you found anything?”

witnesses couldn’t give us anything beyond what we already know and have seen on

I was hoping they would have something.

state to be questioned?”

down, and my voice hardens. I know it’s not

pisses

in a coma,” I grit

doesn’t do anything to

you can give me? Has anyone been threatening

person lurking around her? Any information, no matter

head. “None.