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

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

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

herself but

Noah. He had his head on my shoulder and was holding my hand. His eyes were closed, but I knew

to find Kate pointing a finger at Reaper as hatred and bitterness filter through

for Ava,” I tell

into something ugly. “I didn’t know

didn’t, since you know nothing about my daughter,” Nora scoffs at

powerhouse, especially as the matriarch of the Sharp family, but she

“If

that he is here, then you’re free to leave. Personally, I

here in the first place, given that you treated Ava like shit for

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

He looks at the

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

everyone’s attention.

passes over all their faces. It’s like they’d completely

a spat between adults. Nothing for you to worry

doesn’t buy it.

talking as if mom wasn’t treated

as it nears the

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

Theo was right without making him hate us? Without making him hate me

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

sigh of relief and thank the heavens for the distraction. Noah seems to

you’ll have to accompany him,” she says, turning around as Noah takes

head

masks to wear. Once that is done, we are then taken to the NICU unit.

us. “Noah,

tiny fingers. She wasn’t

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

out of her. She didn’t deserve this. She should still be cushioned in her

She’s alive.

Right. That’s what matters.

her?” Noah asks

珍味

to be a great big brother. The love

all over his face. There is no fucking way

can touch her only if you promise to

his hands inside the incubator. He softly

him, though she doesn’t wake

until the nurse lets us know it’s time for us to leave. I walk back to the

after we get out of the protective gear. I felt

but not at

brother while

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she

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

see Iris. Reaper, step forward. No one argues as she leads

“How’s Iris?” he asks.