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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his grandmother’s hand and literally launches himself at Emma. Emma doesn’t have it though. She gently pushes him away from

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

into herself but

He had his head on my shoulder and was

doing here?” The bitter voice makes me look up, only to find

here for Ava,” I

something ugly. “I didn’t know

since you know nothing

a stare down. Sure, Kate is a powerhouse, especially as the matriarch of the Sharp

“If

like the fact that he is here, then you’re free to leave. Personally, I don’t get why the

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

drenches up something that I wasn’t ready to deal

snap open. He looks at

say

everyone’s attention.

over all their faces. It’s like

between adults. Nothing for you to worry about,” I try to

doesn’t buy it.

know what shit means, and grandpa is talking as if mom wasn’t treated well. Is that it?” His

as it nears the end

notice that everyone except for Calvin and

tell him that Theo was right without making him hate us? Without making him hate me for the way

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

heavens for the distraction. Noah seems to

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

head and follow

separate room where they sanitize us before giving us a medical gown, gloves, and masks to wear. Once that is done, we are then taken to the NICU unit. We pass a few babies who were also in incubators before

us. “Noah, meet

fingers. She wasn’t my blood, but she already has my fucking

eye color, but everything else, from her nose to her lips and

break watching the tubes sticking out of her. She didn’t deserve this. She should still be cushioned in her mother’s

She’s alive.

Right. That’s what matters.

I hold her?” Noah asks in a

珍味

shaping up to be a great

There is no fucking way you can miss

you can touch her only if

Mary helps him get his hands inside the incubator.

she doesn’t

nurse lets us know it’s time for us to leave.

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

but not

Theo?” I ask my brother while

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by herself, and she looked so

Ava. The nurse couldn’t let both of

back again and asks who else wants to see Iris. Reaper, step forward. No one argues as she

“How’s Iris?” he asks.