Ex-Husband’s Regret by Evelyn M.M

119. Hoping against hope

I stare at my son. I’m so proud of him and of the bond he has with his mother. No one, not even her best

friends and her parents, knew the name she had chosen, yet she had told Noah.

“That’s really good,” Mary says, smiling at Noah. “You’re already shaping up to be a great big brother.”

Noah just nods, then looks up at me.

“One day we were on her bed while eating ice cream because she wanted it so much. I asked her what

name we were going to give to the baby. We spent hours going through baby names until we settled on

those two. It was so much fun, and we laughed a lot.”

Tears start filling his eyes once again, and I pull him to my side. It physically hurt to see him hurting. To see him in pain. I wanted to ease his heartache, but I didn’t have the power.

“When will she get better? I miss her so much,” he continues to cry.

I kept quiet because I have no answer to that. Not even the doctors know when or if Ava will wake up.

Mary kneels down to his level. She gently tugs at him a little. Noah doesn’t let me go, but he twists his

head to face her.

“Tell you what? How about I let you visit your sister? You’ll be the first person to see her,” she tells him.

“Really?” he asks as he wipes away his tears.

“Really” she smiles. “Just give me a few minutes, and I’ll come to get you. Is that okay?”

Noah nods his head as a small smile takes over his lips. The sadness is still there, but it’s been pushed

back.

When Mary stands up, I give her an appreciated nod. It may seem like a small thing, but she has done

something huge. She has given Noah hope. Something, or rather, someone to hold on to while he waits

for his mother to recover.

She nods to the rest and then turns to leave. Taking Noah’s hand, I lead him to the seats. I was damn

exhausted. Mentally, psychically, and emotionally. I could use some sleep, but I won’t get it until I see

both mother and child.

To my surprise, Calvin, Gunner and Kate walk in. Gunner’s hand is held firmly in Kate’s. They were chatting

while Calvin walked behind them. I can’t really tell whether they’ve told Gunner the truth.

I watch as Gunner’s eyes land on Emma. They become huge. I don’t understand that part, because I’m

1/5

+15 BONUS

Emma doesn’t have it though. She gently pushes him away from her with

turns around and hugs his father. Calvin in turn glares at Emma, as do Kate, Travis,

but doesn’t

He had his head on my shoulder and was holding my hand. His eyes were

to find Kate pointing a finger at Reaper

for Ava,” I tell her

ugly. “I didn’t know

you know nothing

Kate is a powerhouse, especially as the matriarch of the Sharp family,

“If

fact that he is here, then you’re

first place, given that you treated Ava like

Kate up, but it also drenches up something that I wasn’t ready to deal

He looks at

Theo talking about?” He didn’t say the words loudly, but it was enough

everyone’s attention.

look passes over all their faces. It’s like they’d completely forgotten that Noah

buddy. It’s just a spat between adults. Nothing for you to worry about,” I

doesn’t buy it.

is talking as if mom

it nears the end

would come. I notice that everyone except for Calvin and Gunner stiffens.

right without making him hate us?

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are you ready to see your baby sister?” Mary comes back out with a smile on

the heavens for the distraction. Noah seems

Woods, you’ll have to accompany him,” she says, turning around

head and follow

masks to wear. Once that is done, we are then taken to the NICU unit. We pass a few babies who were also

smiles at us.

she had me wrapped around her tiny fingers. She

is beautiful. She had her eyes closed, so I couldn’t see her eye color, but everything else, from her nose to her lips and the piece of hair that was sticking out of her pink hat, was Ava. She was a

watching the tubes sticking out of her. She didn’t deserve this. She should

She’s alive.

Right. That’s what matters.

Noah asks in

珍味

shaping up to be a great big brother. The love and care

face. There is no fucking way

can touch her only if you

Mary helps him get his hands inside the incubator. He softly touches her cheeks, and she

though she doesn’t wake

until the nurse lets us know it’s time

with Noah after we get out of the protective gear. I felt like I was in a

but not at

is Theo?” I ask my brother

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she looked so sad. So

Ava. The nurse couldn’t let both of them in

see Iris. Reaper, step forward.

“How’s Iris?” he asks.